The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) is a programme of Summer activities and experiences aimed at all school-age children and young people in Cumbria.

The programme is administered by Westmorland and Furness & Cumberland Council who have commissioned a number of different organisations to provide activities across the summer, with all activities including a nutritious meal.

Places are FREE for young people who receive benefits-related Free School
Meals. Additional FREE spaces are available for children and young people who fit a number of eligibility criteria. For more information about potential eligibility for a free space, please email: HAF@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Some activity providers also have spaces available for any child, but there may be a cost to parents.

For activities based in and around Penrith, please see the leaflet below:

• Summer HAF - Eden Area Leaflet

For activities further afield to Penrith, please visit the Westmorland & Furness website.

Penrith Town Council, working with Plug & Play, Eden Valley Artistic Network and the Penrith Arts & Culture group, has funded and arranged for bands / artists to play around Penrith on Saturday's across the Summer.

Sounds Around Town showcases the enormous wealth of local talent we have in Penrith (and the surrounding area) and aims to encourage more visitors into the town centre and increase the ‘dwell time’ of those visitors by giving them bands / artists worth sticking around for!

This Saturday (13 July) we have Mobius Loop in the town centre (likely Devonshire Street - between Arnisons and the George Hotel) - but keep an eye out for their white truck and signs.

The following Saturday (20 July) we have Kenneth Wilson playing at New Squares.

Check those acts out if you're in and around the town centre on either of those Saturday's!

Book your tickets early!

A compass of Cumbrian legends.

Venue: Penrith Playhouse Theatre, Auctionmart Ln, Penrith CA11 7JG

Date & Time: Friday 30 Aug 2024, 7:30PM

This short music drama takes audiences anticlockwise around old Cumbria from west to north, pausing to uncover old tales of battles, spirits, loyalty, love, betrayal, and superstition. From ruined abbeys to enchanted stone circles, watery secrets to ghostly cairns, this is a folkloric tour of the magic of Eden, the Lakes, and the Dales.

'The Cumbria Opera Group are the pinnacle of performing arts in Cumbria' - Seen and Heard International.

For more information, and to book tickets, please visit the Penrith Players website.

Date & Time: Sunday 14 July, 7pm

Venue: Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9TH

The Three Inch Fools present an essential guide on how to keep your head in the Tudor Court. Unexpectedly thrust into the limelight, young Henry navigates the ups and downs of courtly life, and all whilst fighting the French (again) and re-writing religion. The Fools hit the road with this brand new comedy – a mad-capped take on Britain’s most epic monarch, and those infamous wives.

For more information, and to book tickets, please visit the Three Inch Fools website.

As part of The Festival of Archaeology 2024, English Heritage with support from Penrith Museum, will be giving a FREE talk at Mayburgh Henge on Saturday 20 July with an EH volunteer guide.

Meet at Mayburgh Henge at 2pm, and walk to King Arthur’s Round Table to learn more about these enigmatic sites and the recent archaeological dig in 2023.

For more information, please visit the Visit Eden website.

The Penrith Agricultural Society held the first Penrith Show in 1834. The Show is now held on the 3rd Saturday in July, with the 2023 Show on the 15th July.

The show has gathered much momentum in recent years. With a wide spectrum of competition classes for farm livestock, arable, horses, rabbits, poultry, dry stone walling, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, show jumping, industrial and horticulture, to a host of local trade stands, food hall and rural crafts marquee.

All of this and the tremendous variation of main ring attractions provide entertainment for all the family and friends.  A great day out, whatever your age!

Date & Time: Saturday 20 July 2024, 10am and 5.30pm

For more information, including visitor information and more, please visit the Penrith Show website.

The original Potfest Flagship Event showcasing the very best work from 90 selected artists, chosen from throughout the UK, Europe and beyond.

All with very distinctive, individual styles. Set in the magnificent backdrop of Hutton-in-the-Forest on the edge of the beautiful Lake District National Park.

Potfest in the Park takes place under large marquees on parkland in front of this magnificent country house. The potters’ special competition pieces are displayed on the lawns in front of the house, juxtaposing ancient architecture and modern ceramics.

As well as hosting Potfest in the Park, Hutton-in-the-Forest is a cultural destination in itself. With its historic house, walled garden, topiary terraces and woodland walks it makes a great day out.

Dates & Times:

• 26, 27 & 28 July 2024
• 10am – 4.30pm daily

Penrith Repair Cafe aims to fix your broken items and save them from landfill. At the same time, you'll learn new skills from the brilliant volunteer repairers who can fix electricals, garden tools, ornaments and also tackle clothing and textile repairs! This is all carried out free of charge, but donations are appreciated.

There is also a cafe with delicious home made cake and drinks, which is also free!

The Repair Cafe runs on the second Saturday of each month - so 13 July - from 10am - 1pm at the Old Fire Station on Bridge Lane.

For more information, visit the Penrith Repair Cafe website and follow them on their Facebook page.

Last year the Penrith Rotary Club Charity Golf Competition raised over £4,000, all of which is being used to support many charities and good causes at home and abroad, and with your help they hope to continue this vital work.

Date & Time: Friday, Jul 26th 2024 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Venue: Penrith Golf Club, Salkeld Rd, Penrith CA11 8SG

To that end, you are invited to take part in the Penrith Rotary Club's annual golf competition to be held at Penrith Golf Club on Friday 26th July 2024 (please note this is a week earlier than originally advertised).

The tournament is an AM/AM Stableford competition for teams of four with the two best scores counting on each hole except for the 18th where all scores will count.

Handicap allowance will be 100% of full handicap up to a maximum of 24 strokes for men and 36 for ladies.

Tee times are available between 9am and 4pm. The entry fee is £100 per team, which includes entry to the Twos competition.

Meals will be available on payment at the clubhouse throughout the day, and complimentary refreshments will be provided on the course.

Penrith Rotary Club will have a range of excellent golfing prizes and all players will receive a voucher entitling them to return to play at Penrith Golf Club at much reduced green fees.

For more information, please visit the Penrith Rotary Club website.

Penrith Park Run is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event at Frenchfield! Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

It's completely free to join, just register before you first come along. You only ever need to register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.

If you would like to bake and bring along a cake please bring a list of ingredients for allergy information. There will be the usual teas, coffees and hot chocolate as well.

This Saturday will be Penrith Park Run's 10th birthday! 

For more information, please visit the Park Run or search for Penrith Park Run on Facebook.

Get involved with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks!

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are short group walks making it easier to start walking and stay active.

Walks aim to be suitable for people of all ages and abilities and our leaders will ensure that you walk at a pace that you find comfortable.

Make new friends and start a new hobby!

Check out walks in the Eden area in the leaflet below:

• Eden Walks - April- June 2024

For more information about the Ramblers, please visit their website.