Fells and Flow programme

Explore Ullswater from a new perspective with paddleboarding and kayaking sessions. Whether you’re new to SUP or kayaking or just want to cruise, this ticketed activity offers a fun, relaxed way to connect with the water throughout the day. Led by Ullswater Paddleboarding.

Pause, breathe, and warm through in our lakeside sauna—open throughout the day as part of the Swim Festival. Run by the Fellside Sauna, these one-hour sessions offer deep relaxation between dips, with wide-open views of the lake. Ticketed, with a suggested donation supporting clean water projects through the Lake District Foundation.

Take it slow and see where your feet lead. Pick up a free map from the festival hub and follow gentle, self-guided walking routes around Another Place and Ullswater. Designed for all abilities, these easygoing trails are a chance to connect with the landscape, on your own terms, at your own pace.

Meet at Glenridding and get out on a guided open water adventure around Norfolk Island with Swim the Lakes. For £60, you’ll explore crystal-clear waters, hidden coves and dramatic shoreline in the company of expert local guides. Aimed at confident swimmers, it’s a memorable way to experience Ullswater’s wilder side. Safe, supported and fully immersed.

Book in advance

Slow down, breathe in and walk with intention. Join Bloom with Berry for a gentle, guided loop along the shores of Ullswater—designed to calm the mind and connect you with the landscape. A mindful moment in nature, one peaceful step at a time. Book ahead or drop in on the day.

Stretch, breathe and settle into the rhythm of the landscape. This gentle outdoor yoga session, led by Bloom with Berry, invites you to move mindfully beside the still waters of Ullswater—an afternoon pause to reconnect body and mind in nature’s flow.

A restorative journey through movement, heat and cold water. Begin with grounding yoga, unwind in the lakeside sauna, then take a refreshing wild dip to awaken the senses. Led by experienced guides, this is your invitation to pause, breathe and reset in nature.

As the day fades and the fire glows, Embers & Echoes brings the festival to a gentle close. Drop in and gather round for a quiet moment of warmth and reflection, where local voices share poems, stories and thoughts beneath the evening sky. A time to pause, listen and carry the spirit of the weekend home with you.

Take the plunge with a coached swim loop led by open water pioneer Colin Hill. Set against the backdrop of Ullswater, this is more than just a swim—it’s a journey through one of the Lake District’s most breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're chasing your next challenge or discovering the joy of wild swimming, Colin’s expert guidance will help you build confidence, refine your technique and fully immerse in the open water experience.

60 minutes | Up to 30 people, 11 years and over

Join bestselling author and paddleboarder Jo Moseley, winner of the Lakeland Book Awards Zeffirellis Guides & Places 2025, as she shares stories of adventure, resilience and joy in nature. Followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Watch outdoor cook Harrison Ward (Fell Foodie) cook up bold, nourishing dishes perfect for wild adventures. Hear his story of resilience and reconnecting with nature through food, then join a Q&A to pick up tips and outdoor cooking inspiration.

Join LDF Ambassador Thao Nunns and Eden Rivers Trust for a hands-on Check, Clean, Dry demo. Learn how simple steps can help stop the spread of invasive species and protect the wildlife that calls our lakes and rivers home.

Join ecologist Martin Harris—Recording Officer at Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre—for a walk and talk on wildlife recording. Learn how to use the iRecord app, why your sightings matter, and how everyday observations help protect local biodiversity.

Tip: download the iRecord app before the session.

Join Dr Sarah Smith (Lake District Foundation) and Helen Bishop (Head of Sustainability at Another Place) for a Q&A on what it really takes to lead with purpose. From everyday decisions to long-term impact, they’ll share honest insights into keeping sustainability at the heart of what they do.

Join world-renowned open water swimmer Colin Hill—English Channel Solo Swimming, Winter Swimming World Champion and inductee into both the International Marathon and Ice Swimming Halls of Fame—for stories of wild swims, resilience and connection to nature. From icy races in China, swimming the New Zealand’s Cook Strait to daily dips in Ullswater, Colin shares his firsthand experience of the mental resilience and physical preparation behind his adventures and why protecting our waters matters.

Local author and poet Polly Atkin joins us as Writer in Residence for Fells & Flow. Throughout the day, she’ll be capturing the spirit of the festival, its people, stories and landscape, through her unique lens.

Spin the off-road challenge wheel and take on nature-inspired tasks—make a seed bomb, build a den, light a flint fire, follow the trail or match tracks.

Build your own survival shelter using tarps, rope and sticks in a woodland-style camp. Learn knots, test your structure, and add the Discovery flag and gear to complete the expedition style.

Test your balance on a jungle-themed slackline adventure, complete with sound effects, a mini line for little ones, and optional tyre obstacles for extra movement and fun.

Design your own mini Discovery using natural and recycled materials, then have a go at floating or race it. A hands-on activity blending creativity, STEM and sustainability

Create bold nature art using inked tyres, tree rings and natural textures.