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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

Man with a white beard and plait dressed in replica Roman auxiliary kit shows a boy in a red top and shorts how to fire a bow and arrow.
Archery on the Frontier

Join us and some of the Ermine Street Guard at the Roman Army Museum to practice your archery…

Runners
Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10

The Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10 starts and finishes at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.…

Cyclists with backdrop of fells
Cumbrian Cracker

The Cumbrian Cracker is one of the original Lakeland cycle sportives, with Grasmere Village hosting…

Women Entering Ullswater
Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater

Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater takes place from Park Foot Holiday Park, near Pooley Bridge, which…

Season Opener
Season Opener

For an unforgettable fun-filled day out, Cartmel Races is hard to beat. Perfect for family, friends…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming - Thursday 13th August

Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…

The image identifies the route of the road race
Walney Wind Cheetahs 10k race "Run the Wind"

Walney Wind Cheetahs in conjunction with ORSTED are hosting a 10km road race on the 5th of July…

Man smiling at camera on bike
Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport

Ullswater Epicman Triathlon is based at Park Foot Holiday Park. You can choose either the Sprint,…

swimming in a dark lake
Wild Swimming Thursday 11th June

Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…

Swimmers enjoying the Lake District with Swim the Lakes
Ullswater Wild Isle Swim

If you love wild swimming around beautiful islands then you will love our Wild Isle…

Visitors watch live music performances on stage at Keswick Mountain Festival in Keswick, Lake District
Keswick Mountain Festival

Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes,…

Wild Swimmers with swim the Lakes, Ambleside
The Swim to Devil's Chimney

The Swim to Devils Chimney is another one of our favourite island-hopping adventures, this time on…

Promotional poster for a triathlon event titled "Bikes, Boots and Boats" supporting Turning Tides, a homelessness charity. The design features a sceni
Bikes, Boots, Boats – A Unique Triathlon Event

Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…

Boomin Bingo kendal
Boomin Bingo

Get ready for a high-energy night of Boomin' Bingo – brought to you by PC Roadshows – where classic…

Adventure Triple Challenge
Adventure Triple Challenge

Join Rainbow Trust's Adventure Triple Challenge! A transformative day of cycling, paddling and…

Swimmers enjoying trips with Swim the Lakes
Tadpole Round Swim Hike

Discover the Tadpole Round Swim Hike—an unforgettable adventure at the heart of the Buttermere…

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.…

Sailing boats racing on Ullswater
Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Spectators' Cruise

Join our spectator cruise for the Ullswater Yacht Club's biggest event of the year, the Lord…

Lighthouse Ultra 180
Lighthouse Ultra 180 Triathlon

Coast-to-coast 180 mile ultra triathlon.

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…

People running through the lake district
Lakes in a Day

Lakes in a Day Half Distance Run 23 miles, 850m ascent – Want the excitement of being part of Lakes…

image of climber on a rock
Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District

The Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District returns May 23 – 25, 2026. The Arc'teryx Climb Academy…

Wild swimmers with Swim the Lakes, Ambleside
Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers

This one-day course will give you an insight into safer swimming practices and help build practical…

swimmers stood on shoreline with Swim the Lakes
Introduction to Open Water Swimming

Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…

PrevPrev
  • 1Archery on the Frontier
  • 2Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10
  • 3Cumbrian Cracker
  • 4Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater
  • 5Season Opener
  • 6Wild Swimming - Thursday 13th August
  • 7Walney Wind Cheetahs 10k race "Run the Wind"
  • 8Ullswater Epicman Triathlon & Multisport
  • 9Wild Swimming Thursday 11th June
  • 10Ullswater Wild Isle Swim
  • 11Keswick Mountain Festival
  • 12The Swim to Devil's Chimney
  • 13Bikes, Boots, Boats – A Unique Triathlon Event
  • 14Boomin Bingo
  • 15Adventure Triple Challenge
  • 16Tadpole Round Swim Hike
  • 17Rydal Island and Caves Swim
  • 18Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Spectators' Cruise
  • 19Lighthouse Ultra 180 Triathlon
  • 20Hoad Hill Harriers Christmas 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run
  • 21Lakes in a Day
  • 22Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District
  • 23Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving for Swimmers
  • 24Introduction to Open Water Swimming
NextNext

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