A wide range of events takes place in and around the Eden Valley every year. This is by no means a full list of what's on, but it is a good start!

MACfest 11th - 12th September 2009

A Mostly Acoustic Cumbria festival... featuring the cream of Cumbrian music.

MACfest will take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2009 in the grounds of the Black Swan Hotel in Ravenstonedale, between Tebay and Kirkby Stephen in the heart of the stunning eden valley.

Details and tickets: www.mostlyacousticcumbria.co.uk

The Rheged Centre just outside Penrith not only shows a variery of films on the giant screen, but also hosts music performances, lectures, conferences, art & craft fairs and antique & collectors fairs to name a few. Well worth a visit.

A range of events take place every year at the Dalemain Estate and Country House between Penrith and Ullwater. The annual Cumbria Life & Dalemain Plant Festival is attended by garden and country lovers from a wide area.

Agicultural and country shows take place throughout the area from mid-summer onwards, starting with the Penrith Show at the end of July. The best known regional show is the Lowther Driving Trials & Country Fair, which unfortunately has been cancelled for 2009. Enjoy a good day out at a country show with plenty to see and do for all the family.

Spend some time on Ullswater, one of the Lake District most attractive lakes, located at the western edge of the Eden Valley area. From May through to December the Ullswater Steamers put on a range of special cruises, such as Blues Cruises (with music) and Foof Cruises (with food!).

The Tyne Valley Railway near Alston has special events throughout 2009, the 26th year since the opening of this narrow gauge railway.

Spend some time and money at a farmers market, where you will find an excellent range of excellent quality local produce. There is a small Farmer Market in the streets of Penrith every 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9.30am-2.30pm. Pooley Bridge Farmers Market is on the last sunday of the month throughout the summer. The most famous and biggest farmers market in the area is held at Orton on the second Saturday of every month from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.

The world famous Appleby Horse Fair runs for a week in June, ending on the 2nd wednesday in the month. The best known of the horse fairs attended by Romany families travelling to meet up with old friends and conduct business, it is the largest of its kind in the world, and attracts a huge gypsy gathering.