| Where: | Crookland, Cumbria at Westmorland County Showground |
| When: | A Saturday in mid April |
| Time: | 10 am- 4 pm |
The Lyth Valley in Westmorland has been well-known for its Damson production for many generations, and the Damson Day Fair is held to coincide with the flowering of the trees in spring, when the orchards and hedgerows are alive with white blossom. In the past, the Fair was held on the farms in the Lyth Valley, but has moved to the County Showground for better access to allow a bigger crowd. The Westmorland Damson Association was formed to raise awareness of the fruit following a period of decline in the late twentieth century, with the objective of promoting products using the purple prune damsons in order to secure their future cultivation. You can expect dancers, musicians, theatricals and competitions, as well as marquees with many different arts and crafts and a gratifying number of special food and drink stalls making good use of the fruit including ketchup, preserves, cakes & crumbles, pies and gin. For those wanting a more permanent memento of their visit, young Damson trees are available to buy.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Saturday April 13th- 2025 date is yet to be announced.
When we went entry was £8 for adults and £4 for children and there was ample easy free parking on site (the Showground has a network of hard surfaces so even though it’s the Lake District in Spring you shouldn’t get stuck!). Visitors get a wristband (so can freely go between carpark and Fair) and a programme.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/damsonday
and website: http://www.lythdamsons.org.uk
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