What’s On?
From races, to concerts and exhibitions
We keep this page regularly updated with events, races, exhibitions and seasonal things to do, to help you make the most of your time in the Lakes. Feel free to ask any of our team for more details and suggestions. You can also check out Visit Cumbria’s what’s on page for a broad list of events.
Most week’s you’ll find live music just down the road at the Wainwright’s Inn on Fridays or Saturdays. They also host a Pub Quiz at 9pm on Wednesdays.
There are also regularly exhibitions throughout the year at venues such as Allan Bank.
Upcoming events:
Bluebird K7 The Festival
Sunday, 17th May 2026
Upcoming festival celebrating the return of Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7 to Coniston Water this May. She will run between 11th – 17th May 2026, weather dependent.
Great Langdale 21
Saturday, 6th June 2026
21km | 850m ascent | 06 June 26 | Great Langdale | £50 | 10.00 Start | Max Allowed Time 5 hours
A beautiful, technical 21km route in and around Great and Little Langdale, based out of the Lanty Slees Stickle Barn, part of the Scafell Skyrunning Weekend
We are delighted to be offering this unique and beautiful 21km trail run around Great & Little Langdale as part of the Rab Scafell Sky Race weekend.
Scafell Sky Running Weekend
Saturday, 6th June 2026
A fell running weekend based at Lanty Slee’s Great Langdale with races and lots of events over the course of the weekend.
- SG650 – Stickle Grind 650
- SSU – Scafell Sky Ultra
- SSR – Scafell Sky Race
- GL21 – Great Langdale 21
Mountain Walks: Fairfield Horseshoe Guided Walk
Saturday, 27th June 2026
The Fairfield Horseshoe is an stunning multi-peak route that is widely renowned as the most iconic and loved horseshoe walk in the Lake District. This picturesque route involves an eight-summit circuit around the high-level ridge that encircle the stunning valley encompassing Rydal Beck, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the Lake District. This classic route provides an excellent opportunity to experience some of the most spectacular vistas in the Lake District while enjoying an unforgettable day in the mountains.
On this walk you will summit 8 peaks (Wainwrights), with the highest summit being Fairfield at 873 metres. You will be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the Lake District, including all the major summits and stunning vistas over Windermere. The Fairfield Horseshoe is undoubtedly the most renowned of the traditional Lake District circuits. It is a magnificent walk and an experience that will stay with you forever.
Mountain Walks: Langdale 7 Summits
Saturday, 4th July 2026
The Great Langdale Valley is the most iconic and recognisable area of the Lake District. This unique walking challenge takes you on a high-level tour over 8 summits including the famous Langdale Pikes. You will complete a total of 8 miles and 1065m of ascent!
Guided by experienced leaders, you can fully relax and soak up the incredible surroundings. With their expert knowledge of the region’s history and geology, our guides will ensure this is more than just a hike—it’s an enriching journey through one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes. This is the ultimate way to experience the Lake District’s most loved mountain ranges.
Langdale 7 guided walks start at 9:00 am and finish around 4:00 pm, giving you a full day mountain experience in Langdale.
Mountain Walks: Ambleside 22 Challenge
Friday, 10th July 2026
A spectacular 22-mile adventure through the very heart of the Lake District. Starting and finishing in the vibrant Lakeland town of Ambleside, The Ambleside 22 is a true journey through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the National Park.
This is not just a long walk — it’s a grand tour of Lakeland’s heartland. With 22 miles of varied terrain, steady climbs, and an ever-changing landscape, The Ambleside 22 is a brilliant challenge to train for — a full day of exploration that rewards every step with classic Lake District scenery and unforgettable memories.
2026 Dates:
- Friday 10th July
- Saturday 1st August
- Saturday 3rd October
Mountain Walks: Ambleside 22 Challenge
Saturday, 1st August 2026
A spectacular 22-mile adventure through the very heart of the Lake District. Starting and finishing in the vibrant Lakeland town of Ambleside, The Ambleside 22 is a true journey through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the National Park.
This is not just a long walk — it’s a grand tour of Lakeland’s heartland. With 22 miles of varied terrain, steady climbs, and an ever-changing landscape, The Ambleside 22 is a brilliant challenge to train for — a full day of exploration that rewards every step with classic Lake District scenery and unforgettable memories.
2026 Dates:
- Friday 10th July
- Saturday 1st August
- Saturday 3rd October
Mountain Walks: Fairfield Horseshoe Guided Walk
Sunday, 16th August 2026
The Fairfield Horseshoe is an stunning multi-peak route that is widely renowned as the most iconic and loved horseshoe walk in the Lake District. This picturesque route involves an eight-summit circuit around the high-level ridge that encircle the stunning valley encompassing Rydal Beck, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the Lake District. This classic route provides an excellent opportunity to experience some of the most spectacular vistas in the Lake District while enjoying an unforgettable day in the mountains.
On this walk you will summit 8 peaks (Wainwrights), with the highest summit being Fairfield at 873 metres. You will be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the Lake District, including all the major summits and stunning vistas over Windermere. The Fairfield Horseshoe is undoubtedly the most renowned of the traditional Lake District circuits. It is a magnificent walk and an experience that will stay with you forever.
Mountain Walks: Ambleside 22 Challenge
Saturday, 3rd October 2026
A spectacular 22-mile adventure through the very heart of the Lake District. Starting and finishing in the vibrant Lakeland town of Ambleside, The Ambleside 22 is a true journey through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the National Park.
This is not just a long walk — it’s a grand tour of Lakeland’s heartland. With 22 miles of varied terrain, steady climbs, and an ever-changing landscape, The Ambleside 22 is a brilliant challenge to train for — a full day of exploration that rewards every step with classic Lake District scenery and unforgettable memories.
2026 Dates:
- Friday 10th July
- Saturday 1st August
- Saturday 3rd October
Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race
Saturday, 10th October 2026
The Langdale Horseshoe is an annual Lake District fell race that starts and finishes at the Old Dungeon Ghyll. The course climbs to Stickle Tarn before heading to Thunacar Knott, Esk Hause shelter, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike of Blisco. The route is approximately 21 kilometres (13 mi) in length with 1,450 metres (4,760 ft) of ascent.
This race is over a rough, tough course with almost exclusively rocky and slippy ground. The weather in October is rarely ‘pleasant’ and the fells are often clagged in, making navigation difficult on a course with many pathless sections.
If you are at all unsure of your ability to complete the course safely, you should gain more experience and come back another year. Previous experience of similar races will be asked for as part of the entry system: 2 medium or long mountainous (Lakes, Scotland, N Wales) category A fell races in previous 3 years, or similar relevant experience (significant mountain experience). Entry remains at the discretion of race organisers.
Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon
Saturday, 17th October 2026
A stunningly-scenic route in the Lake District
A beautiful, challenging course set with a backdrop of some of the finest scenery the Lake District has to offer. This isn’t a flat, boring course designed for an outright PB, it’s an undulating (some may say hilly) route designed for its views and the sense of achievement. Just like the Lakeland Trails events, we encourage you to walk a bit and soak up the views but we’ll be equally cheering those speedy competitive runners as they power up the hills!
Langdale Christmas Pudding Run
Saturday, 12th December 2026
A festive 10k in the beautiful Langdale Valley
What could be better than a festive 10k in the stunning Langdale Valley with a FREE Christmas Pudding to take home afterwards? Fancy dress is optional but very much encouraged, with prizes for our favourite outfits! Some of you may be out for a fun time but expect stiff competition from club runners at the front with the first finishers expected back between 32 & 35 minutes.
Dinner is served 🍽️
Join us from 6–8pm for a relaxed evening meal, with everything from Cumberland sausage & mash and chilli (beef or 5 bean) to curries, pasta, quiche and 12” pizzas.
Fancy something lighter? We’ve got soups, toasted sandwiches & baguettes too. And don’t skip dessert… sticky toffee pudding is calling 👀
Non-residents welcome – come in, grab a table, and enjoy!
New breakfast menu now being served! 🍳☕️
Join us daily from 7:30–9:30am for everything from a hearty Cumbrian breakfast or veggie Fell Walker, to pancakes, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.
Pair it with our fresh bean-to-cup coffee for the perfect start to your day.
Non-residents welcome – pop in and enjoy!
We’re delighted to share that we’ve been awarded a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star Food Hygiene Rating! A huge thank you to our fantastic team for their hard work and commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
We’re also excited to introduce our refreshed dining experience, with new menus and a more relaxed, café-style approach. You can now enjoy:
🥐 Breakfast served between 7:30am – 9:30am
🍽️ Evening meals available from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
It’s all about great food in a more casual, welcoming setting.
Keep an eye out for more posts coming soon as we showcase our new menus… we can’t wait for you to try them!
A fantastic effort from Jen and Rich, completing this year’s first Elterwater Hostel 23 Before Tea round in 8 hours 35 minutes.
The day was also a recce for Jen’s planned attempt to break the female record later this year — so watch this space.
Best of all, they were welcomed back to the hostel with tea and sticky toffee brownie, which sounds like just about the perfect finish.
Well done both!
#ElterwaterHostel #23BeforeTea
Bring your group together around the breakfast table!
There’s something special about starting the day with good friends, good food, fresh coffee, and time to connect before the day’s adventures begin.
When you stay with us as a group, you can add our buffet breakfast served in a relaxed space to gather and plan the day ahead, perfect for walking groups, school trips, retreats, corporate teams, or friends exploring the Lakes together. Fuel up, slow down, and start the day right together.
Get in touch to add group breakfast to your booking!
Part 3: The Reveal
And here it is…..
Our new reception, bar servery and refreshed lounge/dining space are complete and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
Lighter, warmer colours, a more open layout and a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door.
It’s now a space to check in, grab a drink, sit back, and feel at home.
We’d love to know what you think and even better, come and see it for yourself.
Post 2: The Build, From idea to reality
With the old reception removed, work began on creating a new modern, multi-functional space – bringing together reception, bar servery and a more open connection to the lounge and dining area.
Behind the scenes there’s been a lot of careful planning, building (and a fair bit of dust!) as the new counter took shape. Every decision was about making the space more practical for our team and more welcoming for our guests.
Nearly there…
Refurb Part 1 - The Strip Out!
Big changes start with brave decisions… and this was one of them.
We’ve said goodbye to our original reception cubicle to make way for something much more open, flexible and welcoming.
It’s served us well over the years, but it was time to rethink how this space works for our guests today.
This was the first step in transforming our reception and lounge into a place that feels warmer, more relaxed and better suited to how people really use the space.
Watch this space 👀
We are very pleased to be ranked 1st in TripAdvisor top 5 Hostels in the Lake District.
With an average 4.9 out of 5, based on around 375 reviews,
Small, friendly and tucked away in one of the prettiest valleys in the Lakes, it draws rave reviews for its “relaxed”, “homely” feel and “big breakfasts”.
In November, one reviewer gave the hostel a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. “Excellent venue for outdoor activities,” they said.
“The hostel is clean, well-equipped, comfortable, warm, and all the staff are welcoming and most helpful.”
Read the whole article here:
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/25809020.best-hostels-lake-district-ranked-tripadvisor/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1769961366
Think hostel food = sausage & mash? Think again…
Our GM may say he’s a great chef…
…but after this 40th birthday feast, we’re inclined to agree 👀🔥
🥩 Tomahawk steak
🍖 Lamb rumps
🥔 Dauphinoise potatoes
✨ Very happy guests
Got a group staying with us? Fancy something a bit special?
We love an excuse to get creative in the kitchen
Happy Birthday Alfred Wainwright
A man who shaped how we see and walk the Lake District, with a legacy deeply rooted in the Langdale Valley.
His love for the fells lives on in every path explored and every quiet moment enjoyed.
At Elterwater Hostel, we’re proud to be part of the landscape he inspired so many to cherish.
Cold, snowy days here in the valley but that hasn’t stopped us cracking on with a big project behind the scenes.
Lots of hard work happening despite the weather and it’ll all be worth it.
Keep an eye out for updates coming soon…
