The sun shone throughout this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival, as thousands of visitors took part in the event last weekend. Returning after a year’s break, the festival attracted around 15,000 people to its mix of sporting events, outdoor activities, live entertainment, speakers, taster sessions, exhibitor stands, and camping for all of the family. Based in Crow Park on the shore of Derwentwater, the KMF Festival Village incorporated the Accessible Adventure Zone, as the event delivered on its promise to be more inclusive than ever.

Participation levels in the 2024 Keswick Mountain Festival sports events were the highest since 2019, while the wide variety of speaker sessions in the Festival Village and Theatre by the Lake attracted big audiences. Visitors were also able to enjoy live music throughout the weekend, with the festival hosting 16 performances by local acts in the ‘Big Top’ and ‘Band Stand’. Meanwhile, town centre businesses welcomed the return of the festival with enthusiasm, and laid on more activities and live music for visitors, complementing the event’s own offer. Venues around Keswick were very busy over the weekend.

Among the speakers at the 2024 Keswick Mountain Festival was TV presenter and triathlete Louise Minchin, who also took part in the festival’s triathlon event, and commented: “I loved the festival. Both the talks that I was involved in were great fun and hopefully inspiring, but what made it for me was the swim and the run which were both epic. The water was beautiful, crystal clear and calm and I was on my own for most of it, which was a sublime experience. The run was fabulous with the glorious weather and stunning surroundings.”

Wheelchair athlete and Paralympian Mel Nicholls returned to the festival this year and after tackling the open water swimming event on Derwentwater, added: “The amazing Keswick Mountain Festival team made it possible for me to race by being awesome water handlers, chair pushers, kit carriers, cheerleaders, photographers, organisers, safety kayakers, say ‘yes-ers’, and all round legends. Not only that, but I also got an age category win and was fourth female overall – such an unexpected outcome to a wonderful swim in Derwentwater in the sunshine. I loved it!”

Mel was also involved in an evening speaker session in the Theatre by the Lake and commented: “Taking to the Theatre by the Lake stage with the totally life-bubbling, adventure-brimming, hard as nails Chrissie Wellington and Louise Minchin was the most fun. Thank you to everyone who came to hear us talk about Blue Peter badges and everything from triathlon to tea.”

Festival director Nicola Meadley adds: “It was a fabulous weekend and it was so good to be back and welcome such a large number of visitors to this amazing setting. The feedback from the likes of Louise and Mel is brilliant, and has been reflected in many more comments that we’ve received from people of all ages who joined us at Keswick Mountain Festival this year. We’re grateful to everyone who supported the event and to the weather gods for smiling on us.”

Find out more about the festival at www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk and on social media.

Images - Route North Photography