EskFest

EskFest 2026

EskFest 2026 takes place from 9-11 July in the stunning Eskdale valley at the foot of Hardknott Pass, Cumberland. This intimate Lake District micro-festival offers live music, crafts, food, and a friendly atmosphere for all ages.

Music and Entertainment

Enjoy live performances on three stages featuring folk, blues, indie-pop, and world music by regional bands. Between sets, catch street performers, comedians, circus acts, workshops, and acrobatics demonstrations.

Food & Drink

Choose from wood-fired pizza, gourmet burgers, curries, and sweet treats from local street food vendors. The bars serve Cumbrian ales, ciders, and creative cocktails.

Family Activities

Children can enjoy an activity zone with games, crafts, and storytelling while parents relax in chill-out lounges near the stage.

Atmosphere

With only a few hundred attendees, EskFest offers plenty of space to relax in wildflower meadows beneath rugged peaks. Friendly staff and local volunteers create a welcoming community spirit. Dogs on leads are welcome.

By car, Eskdale is best accessed via main A-roads rather than the passes. From the M6 motorway, head west on the A66 to Penrith and then join the A595 coast road toward the west Cumbrian coast (or take the A590/A593 via Kendal and Coniston). A popular scenic route is the Birker Fell road off the A595 at Broughton-in-Furness, which loops above the valley and avoids the steep Wrynose/Hardknott switchbacks. Drivers unfamiliar with mountain roads should not attempt Hardknott Pass itself, as it is extremely steep and narrow. Once in Eskdale (at Boot village), follow signs to The Woolpack Inn at Hardknott Pass – the festival entrance. Parking is available on nearby fields. Remember that the rural lanes are narrow and winding, so allow extra driving time, watch for sheep on the road, and enjoy the spectacular views.

If you arrive by public transport, options exist but require planning. The nearest mainline station is Windermere (via Oxenholme); from there take Stagecoach bus 508 through Eskdale, which terminates at Dalegarth (Eskdale Green). Alternatively, travel on the scenic Cumbrian Coast line to Ravenglass station and transfer to the historic Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway ("La'al Ratty"), which chugs 7 miles up the valley to Dalegarth – from the station it’s roughly a mile’s walk or a short taxi ride to the festival field. Buses in the Lakes can be infrequent, so check timetables carefully. The nearest airports with easy rail links are Manchester (about 2–3 hours away by car or coach) or Liverpool and Leeds/Bradford (slightly further); these connect to Oxenholme/Windermere on the train network. Plan your journey so you don’t arrive too late, as rural services usually stop early in the evening.

Accommodation in Eskdale is limited, so book well in advance. EskFest provides on-site camping for ticket-holders (bring your own tent or campervan; there are toilets and water onsite but no showers). If you prefer a bed, consider the Woolpack Inn itself (a few simple rooms), or guesthouses and B&Bs in nearby Boot or Ravenglass. Popular campsites include the National Trust’s Eskdale and Dalegarth sites or Fisherground farmhouse (for a rustic stay). Many visitors also stay in Ravenglass or Wasdale and drive in each day. Wherever you stay, reserve early—summer weekends fill up fast in the Lake District. Finally, note that Eskdale is very rural: mobile phone reception is patchy and EskFest is cash-only, so carry some cash and offline maps for your journey.