August Activity Alphabet

What better way to enjoy a short break than to immerse yourself in local life. To help you do that, here is our annual August Activity Alphabet – 26 days of places to go, things to do and events to enjoy in our local area.

We hope you enjoy this years suggestions, and please let us know which have been your favourite.

A is for Art in the Pen – On Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th August, Skipton Auction Mart is hosting Art in the Pen, a highly regarded annual art & craft fair.  200+ exhibitors will be transforming cattle pens into mini gallery’s to showcase their talents. Find out more here. 

B is for Bentham Beer Festival –  On Saturday 9th August, Bentham will be hosting its annual Music Festival. With live music on in all of the pubs, and a “beer bus” taxi running along the route during the day, this is always one of the highlights of Bentham’s social calendar.

C is for Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway – On Summer Sundays a group of enthusiastic model engineers operate a miniature railway around the Cinderbarrow picnic site, offering rides on both steam and electric models, most of which are owned by the members of the society. Find out more here.

D is for Dukes in the Park – The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster are once again taking over Williamson Park with a fabulous open air production, with this year’s being The Wizard of Oz. Running until the 24th August, there is still time to enjoy a trip to the theatre with a difference. You may feel like you’re not in Lancaster anymore Toto! Book your tickets here.

E is for Escape Room – Looking for a rainy day challenge? Lancaster Escape has 4 thrilling rooms to test your teamwork, logic, communication, wits and puzzle solving. You will have one hour to solve the clues, so make sure you have your thinking cap on! Arrange your visit here.

F is for Food festival – Clitheroe Food Festival and Ribble Valley Taste Fest to be exact! This Saturday, 9th August, this annual showcase of local produce returns to Clitheroe’s town centre, creating a giant street buffet. With live music and entertainment to boot, this makes a great, and tasty day out! Find out more here. 

G is for Greenlands Farm Village – There’s something for everyone at Greenlands, with an Open farm, play barn, farm shop, crazy golf and laser tag! They keep over 50 different breeds and species of animals, from Highland cows to reptiles! Find out more here.

H is for History – Lancaster is one of England’s heritage cities, and as such, has its fair share of museums! Uncover Lancaster’s fascinating local history in the City Museum, see a glimpse of Victorian life at the Cottage museum, and discover the story of its relationship with the ocean at the Maritime Museum. Find out more here.

I is for Ingleton Waterfalls – This 4.5 mile circular trail boasts some of the most spectacular waterfall and oak woodland scenery in the UK – and it’s only a 15 minute drive from Riverside! Open 7 days a week and whatever the weather, this hike can take between 2.5 – 4 hours dependant on your fitness levels……and how many stops you make for ice cream! Check out prices here.

K is for Kanteena – If you are heading into Lancaster for the day and are looking for somewhere a little different, you should check out Kanteena. An everchanging space hosting live acts, food & drink, from Bottomless Brunch Mamma Mia to Daytime Discos and much more! Check them out here.

L is for Lords Antiques & Salvage – With not one, but two fascinating locations in our local area, Lord’s Antiques run an antique centre in Ingleton with over 75 stalls of fabulous finds. They also have Lords Courtyard in Settle, where you can grab a bite, find something nice for the house and even bid on something spectacular if you want to! Find out more here. 

M is for Mimpish Squimbies – If you go down to the nature trail today, you’re sure of a Mimpish Surprise! A journey through the homes of mythical creatures awaits you at Ingleborough Nature Trail, making the 2.5 mile walk even more magical. Even better, the trail was created by the local community, including pupils from Bentham Primary School! Find out more here. 

N is for National Trust – There are a number of National Trust sites a short drive away from Riverside, including the beautiful Heysham Coast, the medieval Sizergh Castle, the coastal Arnside & Silverdale walks and a lakeshore park at Fell Foot.  Find out about all of them here.

O is for Open Garden Scheme – Each year the National Open Garden Scheme allows visitors to explore the wonders of exceptional private gardens around the UK.  This August, the 1 acre relaxed garden at Fell Yeat, near Kirkby Lonsdale, will be opening its gates, showcasing wonderful wildlife habitats. Check it out here.

P is for Performances – There’s nothing like a live performance, whether it be music, dance or comedy, and Lancaster Grand is the perfect place to catch a show. Since opening in 1782 The Grand has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life. With a packed listing throughout the year, you will struggle not to find something to enjoy. Check out the schedule here.

Q is for Quirky creations – Settle’s famous Flowerpot Festival returns with even more astounding quirky displays for you to discover. Pick up a trail leaflet from one of the outlets to make sure you don’t miss a single creation, as each one is guaranteed to make you smile. Find out more here.

R is for Ribblehead Viaduct – If history and engineering is your thing, then a drive up to Ribblehead Viaduct is a must whilst you are with us. With Whernside and Ingleborough as its backdrops, this 24 arch viaduct is certainly a structure to behold. Find out more here. 

S is for Shows – A staple of country living is traditional agricultural shows. This Saturday, 23rd August, you can experience the fabulous Malham Show, known for it’s displays, demonstrations and iconic fell races. See the full schedule here.  Then on 10th & 11th September it’s the turn of the the Westmorland County Show,  which has been voted as one of the UK’s favourite shows, in part thanks to its huge local food hall. Find out more here. 

T is for Tarn – We’ve all heard of Malham Cove, but did you know that Malham is also home to England’s highest lime-rich lake, the stunningly beautiful Malham Tarn. A circular loop walk around this natural wonder takes in the surrounding moorland, wetland areas and some remnants of the mining industry. Check out the walk here. 

U is for Underground Exploring – The longest show cave in Britain is only a 15 minute drive from Riverside, and is a great activity no matter what the weather. The Guided tour covers 1 mile and over 80 minutes you will see intriguing formations such as the Witch’s Fingers, The Judge’s Head and The Carrots! For prices and tour times see here.

V is for Vertical skills – Ingleton is home to Vertical Skills, outdoor specialists who are passionate about adventure. If you have ever fancied trying climbing, caving, mountain scrambling or rafting, they offer it all. Take a look for yourself here. 

W is for Wildlife Oasis – Known as “The little zoo with lots to do!”, The Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is home to over 100 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. With walk through indoor halls, a cafe and gift shop, and outdoor enclosures to view, this place is small but mighty. Find out more here.

X is for aXe – If you have ever wanted to challenge your inner Viking, at The Flying Axe Factory in Lancaster, you can! A fun & unique activity that will test your skills. Find out more here.

Y is for Yellow Cruise – Setting sail from Lakeside, near Newby Bridge, the Yellow Cruise offers a fantastic circular trip along lake Windermere, to Bowness and back.  You can stay onboard for the 90 minute circular trip, or disembark in Bowness, spend the day exploring and then board a return boat back. Find times and prices here. 

Z is for Zipworld – A treetop adventure alongside the iconic Lake Windermere, Zipworld has 6 different options including rope courses, nets and a freefall on the Treetop Drop. Check it out here.