The region’s iconic food festival, Taste Cumbria Cockermouth is returning to the Georgian Gem town.

If you are looking to head to Cockermouth this weekend here is everything you need to know about the popular food festival.

Getting There

Wanting to leave the car at home you can jump on a bus from either Penrith or Workington.

For bus timetables throughout Cumbria click here.

The nearest mainline train station is Penrith or arriving via Carlisle Railway Station, take the train to Workington.

If you are travelling by car, take junction 40 off the M6 then the A66 west and you should be here in 40 minutes.

If you are coming from West Cumbria take the A595 then follow the A66.

If you are coming to Cockermouth by car, here’s a handy link to some of the car parks in Cockermouth.

If you’re parking on the street, please check local signs for restrictions.

You’ll need a timing disc to park at the roadside, these are available from local businesses.

What’s On

The main body of Taste Cumbria Cockermouth will be on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday 28.

This time there is a Friday night chill-out to relax you after the 9-5 and put you in the mood for the festival ahead.

Taking place in the Market Place from 7pm to 9pm on Friday, September 26, there will be food, live music and cold drinks.

Taste Cumbria will provide some seating but you could bring your own camping chairs too.

Aupa Street Food will be selling their locally-sourced smash burgers and loaded fries, while Market Place businesses will also be serving and are happy for you to take your food and drink outside.

Castle Bar, Seths Bar, Fermentos, Yummies Waffles and Shake, Blocks Steakhouse, Allerdale Court Hotel, Crooked River Brewing Co, The Market Place Print Studio and Market Place 41 will all be open that evening. 

Award-winning vocalist Luke Matear will be performing, you will recognise Luke from previous Taste Cumbria festivals.

Then the main event starts on Saturday 27 as Cockermouth is transformed into a foodie’s paradise with stalls selling mouth watering ready to eat meals or jars, bottles and bags of local produce to take home.

Or if your like us two steps away and your opening them up.

From Dosa Chaska, Rin Tin Thai, HMP Haverigg’ The Smokery, Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil to The Cumbrian Boerewors Company you’ll be sure to find a new or old favourite.

Throughout the two days there are cooking demonstrations from John Crouch, Peter Sidwell, George Psarias, Warwick Bakery and Hallsfords.

Providing a musical back ground at the Market Place and Jennings Stage some of Cumbria’s well known acts will be performing with Cindy Hoten, Logan Paul Murphy, Ged Hagen and Char.

Jennings Brewery will also running tours and Q and A sessions from 2pm you can book your place on their website here.

Saturday, September 27

Market Place Stage

10:30 – 11:30am Cockermouth ukuleles
12:00 – 1pm Cindy Hoten
1:30 – 2:30pm Logan Paul Murphy
3 – 4pm The Unsung
4:30 – 5:30pm Somethin Brewin
6 – 7pm Over Yonder
7:15 – 8pm The Window View

Jennings Stage

12 – 12:45pm  Paul Nicholson
1 – 1:45pm Ged Hagen
2 – 2:45pm  Char
3 – 4pm  Thomas & Joe

Cooking Demos

11:00 – 11:45am – Warwick Bakery & Hallsfords – how to make the best Bacon Sandwich
12:00 – 12:45pm – John Crouch
13:00 – 13:45pm – Buster Grant, Head Brewer, Jennings
14:00 – 15:00pm – Peter Sidwell
16:30 – 18:00pm – Matt Reed ‘Come in and get your tea’ – Fully Booked

Sunday, September 28

Market Place Stage

11-12pm The Mowdies
12 -1pm Phil Lewthwaite & Graham Bell 
1:30 – 2:30pm Miss Pearl
3- 4pm No Good Reason

Jennings Stage

12 – 12:45pm Stephen Dunn
1 – 1:45pm Char
2 – 2:45pm Chloe Jane Hirst
3 – 4pm Annie Jackson-Elliott

Cooking Demos

11:00 – 12:00pm – John Crouch
12:30 – 13:30pm – Peter Sidwell
14:00 – 15:00pm – George Psarias