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  1. Traditional Lakeland Sports
    Traditional Sports

You are here: Home > What's On > Challenge Events > Traditional Sports

Traditional Sports

From horse leaping and pipe-smoking to open-air wrestling and sheep shows, the choice of peculiar sports is remarkable – and in some cases, very old: the Egremont Crab Fair has been running since 1267, while the sport of hound trailing began in the middle of the 18th century. Test your fell running fitness at the annual Grasmere Gallop, or try some ghyll scrambling. Get down and dirty with a bout of Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, held at local shows throughout the summer months. Most of Cumbria’s traditional sports are rooted firmly in the countryside, and are designed to celebrate the changing seasons and a host of agricultural pursuits. Although that doesn’t explain why there should be a competition to crown the world’s biggest liar or who can pull the best face…
 

Highlights

Canoeing at night on Wastwater with red glow sticks on the back of the canoes
Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater

Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across the spectacular…

Christmas Community Raceday
Christmas Community Raceday

Get into the festive spirit on our Christmas Jumper Raceday! Join us on Sunday 13 December as we…

Father Christmas
Christmas Grotto

Father Christmas returns to Holker Hall this December! Meet Father Christmas and the Elves at…

Trail Running
Montane Grizedale Forest Trail Half & Full Marathon

Set within the spectacular landscape of the Lake District National Park, the Montane Grizedale…

Canoeing at night in a rafted canoe with headtorches
Family Dark Sky Canoeing

Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…

Person wearing a suit holding a tray of luxury champagne
New Year's Eve Gala!

Arrival Time: 6:30PM Finish Time: 01:00 AM Dress Code: Glamorous attire is strongly…

Hospice at Home Raceday
Hospice at Home Raceday

AFTERNOON JUMP RACING See out November in style and join us for a Tuesday afternoon of racing and…

Poster for the Festive Rookery Woods Event at Keswick Climbing Wall in Keswick, Lake District
Festive Rookery Woods Adventure

Coming soon to Rookery Woods is a festive adventure play experience. With Zipline, Slides, Maze,…

Swimmers entering
Epic Lakes Swim Windermere

Epic Lakes Swim Windermere welcomes swimmers of all abilities, from experienced open water athletes…

Coniston 14
Coniston 14 road race

14 mile road race

Trail Running
Montane Howgills Fell Trail 10k, Half & Full Marathon

The Howgills Trail Run route explores the rugged terrain of the Howgill Fells, taking runners along…

New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office
New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE - THE HALSTON WAY 31ST DECEMBER 2026 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM Choose your…

Cyclist
Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport

The is one of the most spectacular multi-sport events in the UK, taking place in the breathtaking…

Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run
Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run

Please join us for our Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run. Starting on the road, between the clubhouse…

Lake District Ultra Challenge
Lake District Ultra Challenge

Discover England's finest countryside at your own pace with the Lake District Challenge! Starting…

Carlisle Fireshow 2026 artwork, showing a Tour de France cyclist with Carlisle Castle in the background and fireworks.
Carlisle Fireshow

This year's Cumberland Council Fireshow will take place in Bitts Park on Saturday 31 October. In…

Swimmers entering water
Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater

Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater is a spectacular open water swimming event set in one of the most…

Wild Swimmers in Rydal Water with Swim the Lakes
Rydal Island and Caves Swim

Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…

Swimmers exiting
Epic Lakes Swim Coniston

Epic Lakes Swim Coniston is a spectacular open water swimming event set in the breathtaking…

Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday
Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday

Enjoy a Super Sunday at the Races Come and join us for what promises to be an exciting day of Jump…

Wild Swimmers in Rydal Water with Swim the Lakes
Rydal Island and Caves Swim

Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…

New Year's Day Roast Lunch
New Year's Day Roast Lunch at The Borrowdale Hotel

Start the year as you mean to go on with a delicious New Year's Day lunch in the Lake District at…

Start Ulls Way
Montane Ullswater Way Trail 10, 20 & Ultra

Ullswater Way Trail Run is a spectacular running event set in the heart of the Lake District…

People night time canoeing under stars with a headtorch beam
Dark Sky Canoeing - Coniston Water

Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…

PrevPrev
  • 1Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater
  • 2Christmas Community Raceday
  • 3Christmas Grotto
  • 4Montane Grizedale Forest Trail Half & Full Marathon
  • 5Family Dark Sky Canoeing
  • 6New Year's Eve Gala!
  • 7Hospice at Home Raceday
  • 8Festive Rookery Woods Adventure
  • 9Epic Lakes Swim Windermere
  • 10Coniston 14 road race
  • 11Montane Howgills Fell Trail 10k, Half & Full Marathon
  • 12New Year's Eve Party – Midnight at the Post Office
  • 13Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport
  • 14Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 15Lake District Ultra Challenge
  • 16Carlisle Fireshow
  • 17Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater
  • 18Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 19Epic Lakes Swim Coniston
  • 20Army Benevolent Fund Charity Raceday
  • 21Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 22New Year's Day Roast Lunch at The Borrowdale Hotel
  • 23Montane Ullswater Way Trail 10, 20 & Ultra
  • 24Dark Sky Canoeing - Coniston Water
NextNext

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