There are plenty of things to see and do in January, we’ve selected just a few top suggestions for a perfect winter break in the Lake District. Come join us at one of these events and enjoy this truly remarkable landscape.
The Snow Queen, Theatre by the Lake – Keswick
Treat the family to a post Christmas performance of The Snow Queen at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. A tale of friendship, kindness and adventure set amongst the coldest season, based on Hans Christian Andersons classic can warm the heart. Running until 16th January 2016
Lakes Artist Society’s Winter Exhibition, Rheged Centre – Nr Penrith
The Lake Artists Society was founded more than 100 years ago, by artist W.G.Collingwood, secretary to John Ruskin. The society consists of a range of Cumbrian painters and sculptors working in a variety of styles and mediums. The annual Winter Exhibition is an opportunity to see a large selection of artworks, and is an ideal chance to add to your collection, at this festive time of year. Running until 31st January 2016
Canalleto – Exclusive After Hours Tour at Abbot Hall
Join an exclusive tour of the Canaletto: Celebrating Britain exhibition at Abbott Hall after hours. Take in the exhibition in the company of only a dozen people before joining the curatorial team to hear more about the paintings and discuss the work. Canaletto, is today remembered as one of Italy’s greatest view painters. His images of Venice were particularly popular with the well-bred English gentlemen undertaking the Grand Tour of Europe. When war caused the flow of British visitors to Venice to dry up Canaletto followed his patrons home to Britain.
After Hours Tour: Thursday 14th January 2016 Exhibition: Open now until 14th February 2016
Distillery Tours at The Lakes Distillery
Set in the backdrop of the beautiful Cumbrian hills and mountains, The Lakes Distillery is the largest distillery in England, is set in an area of unimaginable beauty next to Bassenthwaite Lake. Overlooked by one of the Lake Districts highest peaks, Skiddaw, the location has been an inspiration to many people over the years including the poets Wordsworth and Tennyson. We welcome visitors to learn about their spirits via their cutting edge distillery tours. Visitors will be taken on a tour through the ages, exploring the history of distilling, learning about what makes The Lakes Distillery’s products so special and unique, and of course having a sample of the spirits themselves! Open every day.
Burns Night at Tullie House
A night of dialect poetry and Burns Night traditions to celebrate the birthdays of Robbie Burns and Robert Anderson, the famous Cumberland Bard. The Lakeland Dialect Society and local poets will deliver a night of entertaining and wide ranging dialect performances. There’ll also be the chance to view the Picture the Poet exhibition. January 29th 2016
Polar Exploration: An illustrated talk with Geoff Somers
Geoff Somers is one of the Worlds most accomplished Polar travellers. He has completed several “Firsts”- including in 1990 the first and only traverse of the entire Antarctic Continent by its greatest axis – a seven month, near 4000 mile (6000 km) journey. Keswick Museum hosts this expedition icon on Tuesday 26th January, for more info and booking, please contact Helen Keogh on 017687 73263 or email: learning@kmag.org.uk
Blue Monday at Heaton Cooper Studios
Grasmere art Studio, Heaton Cooper is putting on show just bright and sunny paintings on the most depressing day of the year. The Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere plans to mark “Blue Monday” with an exhibition of sunshine and colour on the third Monday in January (18th). The show will include a rarely-seen painting of Les Calanques in Provence by William Heaton Cooper, the grandfather of the gallery’s director Becky Heaton Cooper who is arranging the event to raise money for MIND, the mental health charity.
