Ullswater Valley Hosts Blooming Wonderful Daff Fest!

Ullswater Daff Fest

Businesses in the Ullswater Valley have come together to celebrate the humble daffodil and the rejuvenation of the valley after Storm Desmond. Masterminded by the members of the Ullswater Association, Daff Fest has been running from Monday 28th March and will continue right through till Sunday 17th April. Daff Fest is a colourful series of events around the Ullswater Valley that invites everyone, both young and old, to delight in daffodils and enjoy spring time just as our local literary greats once did.

The Inn on the Lake and local businesses both big and small have flocked to show their support for the initiative – from Ullswater Steamers, the National Trust, Lowther Castle and the Lake District National Park to Quirky Workshops at the Greystoke Cycle café and community bulb planting in Glenridding, there are plenty of reasons to visit England’s most beautiful lake over the next few weeks.

Ullswater Daff Fest Ullswater Daff Fest

Pretty flowers have been planted around the village, pictures here show the railings at the Inn on the Lake, who donated over 10 planters full of flowers for the village.

Locals and visitors have been able to walk in the footsteps of Wordsworth, try a Botanical art course, take a ‘teddies go free’ lake cruise, dine at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party or go for a journey from Glenridding to Aira Force, then up to Gowbarrow. With the following events still to take place:

Thursday 14th April, 1.30pm – 3.30pm 
Guided walk with Martin, Head Gardener at Lowther Castle
Experience our huge drifts of daffodils which form an outstanding sea of colour through the gardens. Please be aware some parts of the garden are quite wild, therefore we recommend suitable footwear be worn. £10 per person including admission
Book online www.lowthercastle.org/head-gardener-guided-walks or call 01931 712192.

Saturday 16th April, 9.40am
A Host of Daffodils: A guided walk with LDNP Volunteer Rangers
Journey with Ullswater Steamers from Glenridding to Aira Force. Enjoy the pretty falls and return by lakeside, hopefully visiting Wordsworth’s daffodils en route. Walk free, half price boat trip on Ullswater Steamers.  No need to book just turn up.
More information  www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/events

Sunday 17th April, 12pm – 2pm
Live Music in the Orangery, Inn on the Lake
Enjoy relaxing music from Harpist Alison Horn in the Orangery with 360 degree views of Lake Ullswater and surrounding fells. Enjoy ‘Daff Fest’ special offer at the Inn on the Lake of 10% off food purchased in the lounge, Orangery or Lake View restaurant*. Valid until 17th April 2016

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th April, 9.30am & 1.30pm
Daffodil Canoe Trail with Reach Beyond Adventure in conjunction with The National Trust.
A canoe journey from Aira Force stopping at Wordsworth Point to see the daffodils and then over the lake to Norfolk Island before returning to Aira Force. Suitable for all ages and abilities · Equipment and fully qualified instructors provided. £15/person · Duration: 3 hrs · Booking essential · Children must be accompanied.
To book: Call 017684 83867 or email enquiries@reachbeyondadventure.co.uk

For further information on the Ullswater Daff Fest visit http://bit.ly/1pXF0LE