As the school summer holidays roll round, there are dozens of events and activities available that won’t break the bank.
From learning how to play cricket to getting creative on stage, activities that range from free to a few pounds are on your doorstep and promise family fun.
Cumbria Crack has rounded up a list of events and activities happening across the county.
If your organisation would like to be included, please email [email protected]
West Cumbria
Florence Arts Centre, Egremont
What is it? Creative hub – free drop-in creative space and workshops for young people aged 12 to 16 from 11am to 3pm. From Saturday, July 24 until August 28, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Cost: Pay as you feel (Suggested £3 per child)
Activities: Including T-shirt screen printing, zine making, theatre and movement, storytelling and DJ and music taster.
For more information, visit florenceartscentre.com
Beck Green, Egremont
What? Operation Respect, It will include community clean-ups, lots of advice, sport, activities, food and interaction from the agencies who keep Cumbria safe.
Activities: There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, health, fire safety, family wellbeing and other issues, as well as free activities and healthy snacks. Family Action will be on hand with activities and advice. July 31, 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free
Windsor Road, Workington
What? Operation Respect, It will include community clean-ups, lots of advice, sport, activities, food and interaction from the agencies who keep Cumbria safe.
Activities: There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, health, fire safety, family wellbeing and other issues, as well as free activities and healthy snacks. Family Action will be on hand with activities and advice. August 8, 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free
Mirehouse, Whitehaven
What? Operation Respect, It will include community clean-ups, lots of advice, sport, activities, food and interaction from the agencies who keep Cumbria safe.
Activities: There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, health, fire safety, family wellbeing and other issues, as well as free activities and healthy snacks. Family Action will be on hand with activities and advice. August 21, 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free
Copeland Swimming Pool, Whitehaven
What? 10p swims for school children up to the age of 16
Activities: Discounted swimming opportunities throughout the week from 1pm – 1.50pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 1pm – 1.50pm on Saturday and 10am – 10.50am on Sunday.
Cost: 10p per child
Cockermouth Leisure Centre, Cockermouth
What? 10p swims for children up to the age of 16
Activities: Discounted swimming throughout the week from 1pm – 1.50pm, Monday to Friday.
Cost: 10p per child
Workington Leisure Centre, Workington
What? 10p swims for children up to the age of 16
Activities: Discounted swimming throughout the week from 10am – 10.50am Monday to Friday.
Cost: 10p per child
Summer of Play – Whitehaven coast
What? The National Trust is teaming up with local providers to offer free family fun.
When: Starting on July 23 and 24 of July, the series will run on two days every week, from noon to 4.30pm, until school starts again in September and will include a variety of activities.
Where: Families can join KIND Collective artists from the Rosehill Theatre each Monday and Tuesday between 29 July and August 13 to connect with nature and spend playful time outdoors on a nature and creativity trail.
On Monday August 19 and August 20, the MEND van from Lakeland Arts will offer families the chance to unleash their creativity and share what is important to them by creating a collage zine.
Finally, the famous pink caravan from Ragtag Arts will be on site on August 26 and August 27, as families are invited to make something amazing from recycled materials and build strange and wonderful structures using drainpipes with loose parts play.
More information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/whitehaven-coast
Aspatria
What? Operation Respect, It will include community clean-ups, lots of advice, sport, activities, food and interaction from the agencies who keep Cumbria safe.
Activities: There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, health, fire safety, family wellbeing and other issues, as well as free activities and healthy snacks. Family Action will be on hand with activities and advice. August 6, 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free
Penrith
Penrith Cricket Club
What is it? Cricket for all taster sessions. Thursday August 1, 2pm to 3.30pm and Tuesday August 20, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Cost: Free
Minimum age: Five years old
Sessions are specifically for anyone with ADHD, on the autism spectrum or with a physical disability.
To book a free place, email [email protected]
Greystoke
Greystoke Swimming Pool
The heated outdoor pool provides a safe and enjoyable environment for kids to stay active and have fun, allowing parents to relax on a poolside deckchair and enjoy the summer too.
In addition to the main swimming pool with a children’s slide, there’s a toddler pool as well as an on-site cafe. There are also two play areas for children to enjoy, and a sports field for those looking to engage in a variety of outdoor games from football to rounders.
“We are excited to welcome children and their families to our outdoor swimming pool this summer,” said Sue Richardson, chair of Greystoke & District Sports Association.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids to have fun, stay active, and build community connections in a safe, supervised environment. Since 1973, our pool has been a beloved gathering place, and we’re proud to continue that tradition.”
The outdoor swimming pool is open daily from 1pm to 6pm daily. Admission is £3 for per-school and £5 for children under 16, and affordable season passes are available for families.
To find out more or book online, visit: https://www.greystokepool.org.uk/opening-times-prices/
Carlisle
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, Carlisle Castle
What? Summer holiday workshops
When?
- July 24 – Hand-Made Book Making with Pui Lee
- July 31 – Paracord bracelets/keychains with Pui Lee
- August 7 – Paper Plate Lions & Dragon Masks with Rachel & Ryder
- August 14 – Build a Bridge & Make a Glider with Rachel & the CMOML Youth Group
- August 21 – Arts & Crafts with Abby Kilfedder (Artscool)
- August 28 – Arts & Crafts with Abby Kilfedder (Artscool)
All workshops take place between 11am and 3pm.
Cost: Admission is included with a ticket to the museum and all materials will be provided.
Families are welcome to drop in (and out!) at any point during the workshop. Baby changing facilities are available in the museum and breastfeeding is welcome.
Heysham Park, Raffles
What? Operation Respect, It will include community clean-ups, lots of advice, sport, activities, food and interaction from the agencies who keep Cumbria safe.
Activities: There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, health, fire safety, family wellbeing and other issues, as well as free activities and healthy snacks. Family Action will be on hand with activities and advice. July 23, 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free
Upperby Gala
Upperby Gala takes place on Sunday July 28 between 1pm and 4pm.
The free event will be held at Hammond’s Pond. This year’s programme will include performances by the Tanzanian Acrobats, Northern Heights, Razzamataz, Express Dance Studios, Drum Nation, Char and the Lazy River Jazz Band plus plenty of hands-on activities.
Local charity stalls will be in place and there will be chance to sample sports and exercise activities. Other activities include children’s entertainers, a fun fair, an owl magic display, archery, face painters, balloon modelling, plus community outreach from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
The Sands Centre, Carlisle
What? 10p swims for school children up to the age of 16
Activities: Discounted swimming from 10am – 10.50am Monday to Friday.
Cost? 10p per child
Wigton Baths
What? 10p swims for school children up to the age of 16
Activities: Discounted swimming from 11am – 12pm and 3pm – 4pm (Monday), 11.15am – 12.15pm and 4.30pm – 5.30pm (Tuesday), 11.30am – 12.30pm and 4pm – 5pm (Wednesday), 11am – 12pm and 4pm – 5pm (Thursday) 10am – 11am (Friday).
Cost? 10p per child
Wasdale
What? Wasdale wellbeing sessions in woods
Activities: Sessions for the whole family with Karen Whybrow Coaching using mindfulness activities to connect with nature.
Cost? Free and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Barrow area
Barrow Astro Turf Pitches
What? Free football sessions
When? From Monday July 29, young people up to 18 years old will be able to go along to Barrow ATP when the facility reopens for this pilot scheme.
The pitches will be open from 5pm to 9pm weekdays (excluding Monday August 26) and from noon to 5pm on weekends. The scheme will run until Sunday September 1. There is no need to book, just turn up and footballs and bibs will be provided.
More information? Call Barrow Park Leisure Centre on 01229 871146.
Brilliant Barrow Summer of Fun
What? Free, family-friendly activities in the town centre. The summer line up will feature popular acts including The Bread and Butter Theatre Company , Astral Circus, the Fairly Famous Family, Matrix Circus, Gary Bridgens, Fairy Peaseblossom and Professor Pumpernickel.
When? Events are every Wednesday and Friday until the end of August, 11.30am and 2pm.
Where? The recently upgraded amphitheatre at The Dock Museum or in the town square.
