There are so many exceptional events all year round in the Lake District, Cumbria but this September is looking like a month to remember here are our top 10 suggestions to plan your month…

Silloth Music and Beer Festival, 4 - 7 September 2014
North Cumbria's biggest and most ambitious music and beer festival is ready to produce yet another tremendous line-up of over 100 real ales and ciders with the cream of Cumbria's musical talent. Highlights include the Roy G Hemmings tribute to Motown show, rock 'n' roll of the Quireboys plus a range of great acts featuring New England; local rock legend Mr Buzz Elliot; Cindy Hoten; Silloth's own recently re-formed kings of indie rock, Rigsby; West Cumbria's very own eight-piece rhythm 'n' blues maestros, The Mistfitz; the hard-rocking sound of Workington's AWOL; West Cumbrian blues-rockers Secure Unit; and Cumbria's dynamic tribute to Thin Lizzy, Five And Dangerous. Visit www.sillothbeerfestival.co.uk

Carlisle hosts its first ever Literature festival, 5 - 7 September 2014
Over the weekend of the 5-7 September, the great border city of Carlisle will open a new chapter when it stages its first literature festival featuring a host of well-known authors and writers. Borderlines Festival for readers and writers, in association with the Cumbria Life magazine, will be staged at a number of venues across the city, including the Crown & Mitre Hotel, Carlisle Library, Carlisle Cathedral and Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery. The festival will also feature a series of workshops on Saturday 6 September on a range of topics such as poetry, therapeutic writing, self-publishing and writing for children all led by experts in their field.  The day will conclude with a celebration of the written work produced, at a special Litcaff night.Visit www.borderlinescarlisle.co.uk

Visit one of the country's largest one day shows at Westmorland County Show, 11 September 2014
Voted as one of the UK's favourite Agricultural Shows, and runner up Tourism Event of the Year, the Westmorland County Show is one of the largest one day shows in the country. Held on the second Thursday in September the show attracts 30,000 people and prides itself on being a major livestock show, with its heart firmly in agriculture. Sections include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, heavy horses, alpacas, dogs and poultry, as well as marquees for The Women's Institute, Learning or Life, Crafts from Cumbria - supporting a wide range of wonderful artisan crafts, Food Hall - entirely supported by local producers promoting their products, with special demonstrations, rural crafts and over 350 trade stands. Visit www.westmorlandshow.co.uk

Things are hotting up for the first Holker Chilli Festival, 13 & 14 September 2014
Bringing the fiery world of chillies to the beautiful Holker Hall Estate for the first time, Holker Chilli Fest is the newest event on the estates busy calendar. With vibrant entertainment artists, food from around the world and a wide range of stalls selling chilli-inspired produce, the two day festival is guaranteed to get temperatures rising.  At the centre of the chilli-mania each day will be the much anticipated chilli eating competition hosted by famous chilli expert 'Darth Naga', known for his numerous TV appearances talking about his favourite subject, Chillies!  For the less brave, there will be a feast of culinary delights on offer to tempt your taste buds, with everything from curries to crepes and churros.  Chilli enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice. Visit www.holker.co.uk/holker-estate/holker-chilli-fest

Hutton International Horse Trials, 13 September 2014
Top level names from the world of Eventing will be competing in the Hutton International Horse Trials, bringing all the thrills and spills of the sport at this high level to the county. The Hutton experience is one for all the family to experience and enjoy. Set in the grounds of a beautiful country estate the horse trials promise memorable days out. Join in and enjoy sporting excellence at its best! Visit www.cumbriahorsetrials.com

Experience art in some of the UK's most picturesque landscape, 13 – 28 September 2014
C-Art is Cumbria's countywide visual arts programme, co-ordinated by Eden Arts. The highlight is the open studios and galleries event which will take place from 13 – 28 September. Over 150 artists, designers and independent galleries will open their doors to the public and numerous art and craft workshops, demonstrations and special exhibitions will take place. The 2014 event will also see artists taking their work and art practice outside of their studios into unusual and extraordinary locations. From mountain peaks, castles, cathedrals, mines and hillsides - art installations and artists will be taking up residence throughout the remarkable Cumbrian landscape. Visit www.c-art.org.uk

Meet the world's finest gurners at Egremont Crab Fair & Sports, 20 September 2014
The Egremont Crab Fair & Sports was established in 1267 making it one of the oldest fairs in the world; it combines ancient & traditional events with modern attractions in a unique way, attracting visitors from all over the world. Events start in the early morning and continue into the late evening. We hope you enjoy our website, which will be updated regularly so please come back again and again. Why not pay a visit to picturesque Egremont on Crab Fair day and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, catch an apple during the parade of the apple cart, watch or take part in the sports, marvel at the entertainers and displays, then witness the world's finest gurners in action in the evening.Visit www.egremontcrabfair.com

Take a dip in our largest outdoor pool and try the historic Windermere Cross Lake Swim, 27 September 2014
The Windermere Cross Lake Swim was first organised in the 1920s by the Windermere Swimming Club. In 1974 it was taken over by Troutbeck Swimming Club, and then in 2014 Troutbeck Swimming Club handed the event over to Chillswim to organise. On the day of the event swimmers will catch a specially chartered Windermere Lake Cruises Ferry from the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole across to the National Trust attraction, Wray Castle. All swimmers will take the ferry and then swim back. The event is a wetsuit optional swimming race (although you don't need to race) and the average temperature at the end of September is 14.9 degrees C with a 2 degree variance higher or lower depending on the summer! The distance in a straight line from the start point to the finish point is 1.2km. Enter now www.chillswim.com/the-swims/cross-lake-swim

Taste Cumbria Food Festival, 27 & 28 September 2014
Now in its fifth year Taste Cumbria 2014 looks to be the biggest festival yet. Not only will there be workshops, courses, menu planning, kid's activities and tastings, but more businesses and producers than ever before are taking part. Famous names and chefs will share their talents and secrets and offer the warmest and tastiest welcome to locals and visitors alike. The aim of the festival is to show Cumbria as a world class food tourism destination; provide a high quality food tourism experience; improve visitors' access to and awareness of Cumbria's local produce, food heroes and food culture; and stimulate demand for Cumbrian produce and quality local dining experiences. Visit www.tastecumbria.com

September's Sunday Sky Rides, 7, 14, 21 & 28 2014
Guided by friendly British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic pre-planned routes, there are rides for all levels of confidence – whether you are building your confidence, haven't ventured into the saddle for years or are looking for a new challenge. The routes are all pre-planned to avoid traffic-filled roads (the easygoing rides are totally traffic-free), while making the most of unique lake and fell views.
Sunday  7, 2pm - Hawkshead, Sawrey and Windermere Lakefront
Sunday 14, 11am - Arthur Ransome's Secrets, from Lakeland Motor Museum, Rutland Valley
Sunday 21, 11am- Kendal to Sizergh Castle Loop
Sunday 28, 11am- Sizergh Castle to Lyth Valley and the Damsons
It is completely free to sign up for Sky Ride Local rides online

For further information about events in the Lake District, Cumbria visit: www.golakes.co.uk/do/whats-on/

Ends

Notes to Editors:
1: For further information or to arrange a press trip please contact Cumbria Tourism Press Office on 01539 825075 or on pressoffice@cumbriatourism.org

2: Cumbria Tourism is the lead organisation for tourism in the county and is at the heart of the Cumbria Visitor Economy. It is also the largest membership organisation in Cumbria with more than 2,600 members. 40 million annual visitors to Cumbria contribute more than £2.2 billion to the local economy and supporting around 56,410 jobs. To find out more about the work of Cumbria Tourism, visit www.cumbriatourism.org    

3: To book accommodation in Cumbria – the Lake District, visit www.golakes.co.uk