Connect for Nature

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Connect for Nature Cumbria Connect
Nature's big comeback

Landowners, farmers, conservationists and communities.

Together, we’re bringing nature back to eastern Cumbria, one wildflower meadow, hedgerow & re-wiggled river at a time.

We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow for 🦌The countdown is on! Take a look at our event map and programme below to p...
09/10/2026

We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow for 🦌

The countdown is on! Take a look at our event map and programme below to plan your day and make sure you don’t miss out on all the brilliant activities, talks, demonstrations and experiences happening across the day

📍 A few highlights to look out for:
🍴Live Venison Butchery & Cookery – 11am–12:30pm & 2:30–4pm
🍔 Wild Venison Burgers – Grab a voucher and try a delicious wild venison burger for free!
📸 Behind the Lens – 10:30–11:30am
🌿 Discover Deer & the Lake District Landscape – 11:45am–12:45pm
🎶 Stories & Songs of the Wild – 1–2pm
🎶 BlueJam Arts Community Parade – Bring the Deer Home – 2pm!
🐾 Working with Wildlife – 3:15–4pm
🎥 Films from the Landscape – 4:15–5pm

Plus, explore the festival map to discover family activities, creative workshops, wildlife experiences and plenty more throughout the day!

We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow for a fantastic day celebrating deer, wildlife, food and the landscapes we love! 🦌

08/10/2026

Lakes Deer Fest is this Saturday and the team at Cumbria Connect are getting ready in a rather different way…

As part of the festival, some of our team will be based in the Canopy at Rheged, where we’ll be holding a bolving competition!

Bolving is the deep, guttural roar or bellow made by a male red deer (stag) during the autumn rutting season... and we’re putting your best stag impression to the test!
There’ll be treats and gifts up for grabs for whoever can produce the best bolve, judged by Tabitha and Kimber from Cumbria Connect!

Who do YOU think bolved the best out of our team? Let us know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to come along to Lakes Deer Fest this Saturday – we’d love to see you there!

One week to go!With just one week until Lakes Deer Fest, it feels like the perfect time to look behind the scenes at the...
03/10/2026

One week to go!

With just one week until Lakes Deer Fest, it feels like the perfect time to look behind the scenes at the people, ideas and creativity that have been bringing the festival to life.

Over the past few months, our team has been working alongside local communities, volunteers, artists, musicians, photographers, film makers, organisations and partners, all helping to turn ideas into a festival we can’t wait to share with you.

There have been stories to write, songs to create, artwork to make, photographs to capture, decorations to build and activities to dream up - with people giving their time, skills and creativity to make it all happen.

From our artist in residence, Rachel Shore working with communities to create a new Cumbrian folk tale and spectacular installation, to BlueJam Arts who have been working with young people to create music inspired by deer, landscape and the stories behind the festival.

Penrith Community Gardeners have also been helping to spread the word, creating an amazing display at Penrith Station to raise awareness of the festival and welcome people arriving in the town.

From photographers capturing deer across Cumbria to Jo Sheehan heading out into the woodlands to explore deer and share what we’re learning about their place in the landscape.

Behind every part of Lakes Deer Fest there is a person or group of people bringing an idea to life - it has become an amazing festival community.

We’re almost ready to open the doors and can’t wait to share it with you this time next week. We’d love for you to join us at Rheged on Saturday 10th October to learn, eat, explore and experience everything that’s been created.

Just one week to go - We’ll see you at Rheged!

We need your vote!Thank you to everyone who entered our Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase. We’ve had some amazing ph...
02/10/2026

We need your vote!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase. We’ve had some amazing photographs submitted and it’s been wonderful to see the different encounters of Red and Roe Deer across Cumbria.

We’re delighted to reveal our shortlist - and now it’s your turn to choose your favourite!

Take a look through the shortlisted entries and comment with the number of your favourite below.

Your vote will help decide our People’s Choice Award , with voting continuing to Lakes Deer Fest on Saturday 10 October.

The winners will be announced at the festival, alongside our Judge’s Choice Award, to be selected by The British Deer Society Photographic Ambassador and award-winning wildlife photographer, Deb Heath.

Good luck to all our shortlisted photographers - and happy voting!

Films from the LandscapeRelax and enjoy a collection of inspiring short films celebrating deer, wildlife, landscapes and...
02/10/2026

Films from the Landscape

Relax and enjoy a collection of inspiring short films celebrating deer, wildlife, landscapes and rural life. From intimate encounters with Red and Roe Deer, to stories of woodland restoration, conservation and local communities, this showcase offers a beautiful finale to the inaugural Lakes Deer Fest.

⏰ 4:15-5:00PM

This is a FREE showing, but places are limited. Find the full programme on the Rheged website and book your free place at rheged.com/lakes-deer-fest/

Working with Wildlife Meet professionals and trainees working across Cumbria as they share their journeys into wildlife,...
01/10/2026

Working with Wildlife

Meet professionals and trainees working across Cumbria as they share their journeys into wildlife, woodland creation and deer management.

Watch a short film, hear their stories and discover the rewarding careers helping care for our landscapes.

The Panel includes:

Kimber - Wildlife Ranger Trainee, Cumbria Connect
Tabitha - Wildlife Ranger Trainee, Cumbria Connect
Jo Sheehan - Deer & Venison Project Manager, Cumbria Connect
Martin Thwaites - Tree & Woodland Manager, National Trust Lake District
Joseph Groom - Wildlife Manager, Kielder Forest - Forestry England
Kelvin Archer - Head of Forestry, Lowther Estates & Lowther Park Farms

⏰ 3:15-4:00PM

This is a FREE showing, but places are limited. Find the full programme on the Rheged website and book your free place at rheged.com/lakes-deer-fest/

Drones, Deer and the Future of ConservationJoin wildlife specialist Ben Harrower BH Wildlife Consultancy to discover how...
30/09/2026

Drones, Deer and the Future of Conservation

Join wildlife specialist Ben Harrower BH Wildlife Consultancy to discover how drones, thermal imaging and cutting-edge technology are transforming deer monitoring.

Explore remarkable footage and see how innovation is helping shape woodland recovery, habitat restoration and the future of wildlife management.

⏰ 2:15-3:00PM

This is a FREE showing, but places are limited. Find the full programme on the Rheged website and book your free place at rheged.com/lakes-deer-fest/

30/09/2026

A Taste of Lakes Deer Fest: Meet David Morland 🦌
 
Join us at Lakes Deer Fest on Saturday 10th October as we welcome David Morland, who has been part of Westmorland’s butchery team since 2007.
 
David will be sharing his knowledge and experience of working with wild venison, taking you through the journey from the landscape to the plate. Alongside his colleague Garry Fothergill, he’ll be talking about the practical side of handling and preparing venison, as well as sharing some of the ways this versatile meat can be used in the kitchen.
 
But this is about more than just great food, wild venison is a fantastic example of a sustainable meat.
 
When deer populations are managed responsibly, it can help reduce pressure on woodland regeneration and allow young trees, plants and other vegetation to thrive. Making use of the resulting venison also means turning a natural, locally-sourced resource into nutritious food.
 
And, of course, what better way to learn about venison than by having a taste for yourself? 
 
David and Garry will be offering FREE venison burgers for visitors to try, giving you the chance to experience just how delicious locally-sourced wild venison can be.
Their talks will be taking place both in the morning and afternoon, so there are plenty of opportunities to drop by, say hello and find out more.
 
Saturday 10th October
 
We’ll see you there!

Stories & Song of the WildJourney through Cumbrian folklore, woodland magic and the world of the Hidden Folk with storyt...
29/09/2026

Stories & Song of the Wild

Journey through Cumbrian folklore, woodland magic and the world of the Hidden Folk with storyteller Stephen G Rae

Then experience Song of the Deer - new music created especially for Lakes Deer Fest by members of the community with BlueJam Arts celebrating Cumbria’s landscapes, wildlife and the stories of its deer.

⏰ 1:00-2:00PM

This is a FREE showing, but places are limited. Find the full programme on the Rheged website and book your free place at rheged.com/lakes-deer-fest/

Address

Cumbria Connect, Lowther Old College
Penrith
CA102HH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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