| Where: | Penrith, Cumbria- Town Centre with Torchlit Parade from St Catherine's Church, Church Fields (and Ullswater at Pooley Bridge Pier from 5.30 but not every year) |
| When: | A Weekend in late October to mid November |
| Time: | Pooley Bridge from 5.30pm (not every year), and Penrith from 11 am markets all day into the evening with Drovers Cup from 1.30 and Torchlit Parade at 6.30 approx |
The Winter Droving at Penrith is a modern festival incorporating many traditional elements to celebrate the rural heritage of the region. There is also a parade in some years from the ferry terminal at Pooley Bridge into the village with torches and music; this used to be on the Friday evening before the main day at Penrith on the Saturday but in 2023 was set a week before Penrith so that both could happen on Saturdays. As well as the torchlit procession after dusk in Penrith featuring masked lantern bearers, there are agriculturally themed sports, local foods on sale, competitions, music and other entertainments. The Drovers Cup is a team event which includes hay bale racing, pint carrying, egg tossing, sausage eating and a tug-of-war, with the individual events taking place at intervals during the afternoon on the Saturday. The current event features rocking musicians, fire breathing performances and larger-than-life illuminated lanterns, and will once again brighten Penrith’s town centre, for the annual masquerade. The town centre hosts a food and craft market showcasing works from local artists, producers and an abundance of entertainment from midday until dark.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Saturday 25th October at Penrith (to be confirmed)- full details on links below.
In 2023 it was on Saturday 21st at Pooley Bridge and Saturday 28th October at Penrith but In 2024 it was just at Penrith on 26th. Follow the link below to the event website where you’ll find all you need to know including a full programme of what happens, where and when, road closures and lots of photos.
Click here for the event website: https://www.edenarts.co.uk/projects/winter-droving?fbclid=IwAR1r5hXI1bcH91ckN7cUs_s_SCeXpSKw8EUycVjJYDUMEPov5PueYJuJgSM
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheWinterDroving/
Will the festival be going ahead this year?
Hi Jean,
I’m sure that some form of festival will be going ahead, but the organisers haven’t yet revealed exactly what it will be like. I expect they’re leaving it as late as possible to see what happens with the virus before making any definite plans- lots of event organisers seem to be doing that this year (and sadly so far most have been either cancelled or made virtual online events) so I can’t be more definite about it. The first place that will have updates will be the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheWinterDroving so keep an eye on that and eventually the plan will be posted. Fingers crossed!
Averil