A bank holiday bonanza of events are lined up for Whitehaven this weekend.
The town will host Leyland 53 – a heritage and preserved bus extravaganza, Eat Street market and a host of local artisans from TEGretail tomorrow, May 3 and Sunday, May 4.
Leyland 53, now in its fourth year, is a celebration of buses and coaches.
Organised by Workington Transport Heritage Trust, it will include heritage buses on display and offering trips, family attractions and exhibitions at the Beacon.
All bus trips are free and up to two children get free admission into the Beacon museum.
It will also feature vintage cars and trade stands.
Leyland 53 will offer:
- Free park & ride from Lakes College, Lillyhall (postcode CA14 4JN)
- Town service using half cab buses where possible
- Trips to St Bees using open top buses where possible
- Countryside, brewery and Leyland bus factory tours
- New for 2025 is an express feeder service between Whitehaven and Cockermouth
On Sunday, there will also be a photo line-up at the former Leyland bus plant at Lillyhall.
The Eat Street Cumbria market also returns and will be bigger and better than before, organisers have said.
The pop-up food festival – which aims to champion Cumbrian food vendors – will feature over 15 local businesses and shop owners serving food from across the world will attend this year’s event, which will also feature live music from eight local musicians and spaces for people to socialise throughout the day.
Vendors already confirmed for the event will be serving everything from bubble tea to Thai and authentic Indian food, to wood fired pizzas, burgers, cakes and more.
They include:
- Angry Boba
- Pappy’s Texas Barbecue
- Art’s Thai Cuisine
- Candy Cabs – Cumbria
- DosaChaska
- Dirty Dogs
- Fodder
- Jammies Deli
- Portobello Wood Fired
- Donna’s Cakes
- The Big Apple Crepes
- FaveKravez
- Hollybank Farm
- Three Hills Gelato
- Waffling0n
It comes after its inaugural event in November saw major success last year, with over 4,000 people attending and over 80 per cent of its 15 vendors selling out of food in less than six hours.
Founder Aaron Groggins, 22, of Whitehaven, said in the wake of the market’s initial success he was planning to go all out with this year’s event, which will take place opposite Wetherspoon.
And TEGretail, a Cumbria-based non-profit community interest company, will be on the harbourside with over 15 local independent producers.
Lara Schwab, market manager at TEGretail, said: “Our mission is to build thriving communities and support artisan retailers.
“The Leyland 53 event is a fantastic platform for us to connect with local businesses, offering them the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to flourish.”
