Art 

Thornthwaite Galleries
Thornthwaite, nr. Keswick, CA12 5SA

Over 140 exhibitors from Cumbria and the northwest of England are represented in this rural gallery, displaying paintings, sculptures, ceramics, woodcarvings and jewellery. Regularly changing exhibitions. Tearoom serving light refreshments. Fully accessible for wheelchairs. www.thornthwaitegalleries.co.uk

Food & drink

Food & Company
Matthew Rudding, Hesket Newmarket, Wigton, CA7 8LD

A series of food workshops discovering everything about food from preparing simple suppers to creative cookery, all held in the scenic surroundings of the Garden Hall at Mirehouse. www.foodandcompany.co.uk

Words & music

Words by the Water - Feb-March
Enjoy 10 days on the shores of Derwentwater, sharing the pleasures of books, writing and ideas with authors and readers. Workshops, exhibitions and appearances by well-known writers. www.wordsbythewater.org.uk

Bassenthwaite Music Festival-May
Three days of instrumental and choral music performed at St Bega's and St John's churches at Bassenthwaite. www.bassenthwaite.org.uk

Visitor attractions

Trotters World of Animals
Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite, CA12 4RD

Enjoy a day out at this award-winning wildlife park set amid the spectacular scenery of the north Lakeland fells. Encounter exotic animals from all over the world from monkeys to marsupials, including a fascinating array of birds of prey and reptiles. There are also flying displays, feeding demonstrations and the chance to handle some of the animals. Pony rides and tractor trailer rides around the park. Children's play area. Tearoom and shop.  more details

''sharing the pleasures of books, writing and ideas with authors and readers''