Leave Nothing But Memories

Kendal Calling has the privilege of taking place amongst the wonderful scenery of The Lakes each year, blending the magic of the festival experience with the serenity of the Lake District’s rolling hills and woodlands. As well as stunning views, our festival holds a thriving ecosystem with diverse wildlife thanks to the conservation efforts of the Lowther Estate, who lend us the Deer Park each year for our long weekend in the fields.

The pairing of Kendal Calling and Lowther seemed destined, as we both share a commitment to foster community spirit and a commitment to sustainability. Among its many conservation efforts one initiative stands out for its importance in sustaining biodiversity: beekeeping.

You probably didn’t know that colonies of bees get to call Kendal Calling their home all year round. Bees are crucial pollinators, playing a key role in the reproduction of greenery and plant life you see beautifully scattered throguhtout the site.

For many years, Jim Lowther has had a passion for bees – and in 2015, he began to farm them himself, making the project a family one while also benefiting the land. Bees are now an integral part of the estate plan, alongside the extensive planting of new trees and creation of new grasslands meaning the Lowther honeybees can enjoy a more varied diet. All this makes for a comfortable home and pleasant place for a grand total of 500 hives and counting to pollinate across 130 acres of the estate.

The efforts put into beekeeping at the Lowther Estate yield rewards in more ways than one, as Jim has been selling his incredibly delicious (if we do say so ourselves!) honey. Not only does Jim harvest and bottle the honey himself but he also makes the hive in his workshop at his Lakeland farmhouse.

A queen-breeding programme has also been underway since 2020, ensuring the future of the lovely lake district bee’s and their hives.

If you have the opportunity to visit Lowther Estate or are attending Kendal Calling this year, take a moment to appreciate the lovely contributions of our buzzing inhabitants. While they are kept far away from festivalgoers during our big weekend, you will certainly see the benefits of keeping our furry little friends everywhere you look!

Jim Lowther’s Honey is on sale here

With the festival season fast approaching, the anticipation for a weekend filled with unforgettable melodies, shared memories and a beer in the sun only grows stronger. We have some amazing moments in store, but to kick things off, here’s a run down of the top fifteen songs we can’t wait to hear at Kendal Calling 2024:

Paolo Nutini – Pencil Full of Lead

Sure to end the weekend with a bang, get your best dad-dance ready for this one! Come the iconic trumpet solo you’ll be itching to tap your foot along to the incredible swing inspired sound of ‘Pencil Full Of Lead’!

The Reytons – On The Back Burner

All right, have you seen those lads, there’s a brand new band in town and they’re joining us in the fields! The Reytons are one of our most requested acts and we’re buzzing to have them back, this time on the Main Stage! There’s going to be unbelievable scenes when this one goes off on Sunday evening…

Sugababes – About You Now

Sugababes Saturday anyone? Now, I’m not sure there has ever been a mosh pit for Sugababes but you best believe we’ll be trying to start one. The 00s icons have an unbelievable amount of hits in their back pocket but ‘About You Now’ stands above the rest as the ultimate throwback anthem.

Paul Heaton – Perfect Ten

We can thank Paul Heaton for giving us many-a-classic over the years. Whether it was as frontman for The Housemartins, The Beautiful South or his solo ventures, he has solidified his place as one of the UK’s greatest songwriters. It’s this seminal Beautiful South classic though that will provide the perfect backing track to a raucous first night in the fields!

The Pigeon Detectives – Take Her Back

Are they detectives who are pigeons or are the detectives investigating pigeons? I guess we’ll never know but one thing we are sure of is that it will be absolute carnage as the indie behemoths take to the upside down garden of Parklands for an afternoon of up-for-it anthems. ‘Wait For Me’ is truly a classic of the era with ‘Take Her Back; still igniting a frenzy all these years later.

THE UNTOLD ORCHESTRA PERFORM Stevie Wonder – For Once In My Life

Who wouldn’t be down for an evening celebrating one of the most iconic and legendary artists of all time?!  As one of the three different sets across the festival – The Untold Orchestra will grace the Woodlands stage for a tribute to the one and only, Stevie Wonder. Spend your Saturday night, dancing beneath the treetops to some of the grooviest tunes known to man – plus, you’ll be in prime position for the Silent Disco kicking off afterwards!

Declan Mckenna – Brazil

As the sun sets beyond the hills and we’ve sunk those first few pints of the weekend – we’ll be welcoming Declan McKenna to the stage for his third trip to the Lakes! Since he last joined us he’s released his brilliant new album ‘What Happened To The Beach?’ but it’s still this classic protest song that will see us down in the mosh pit.

The Streets – Fit but you know it

Unleashing our inner geezer for this one, this legendary blast from the past is a certified must on our watch-list. It will be a hit… but you know it, so to speak. Set to get everyone bouncing, the second this kicks in will be all the sweeter knowing we’ve waited four years for this very moment.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Don’t Look Back in Anger

With a back catalogue has achieved platinum status more than 80 times, solidifying his status as one of the greatest to ever do it. ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ is sung at the top of lungs in pubs and clubs up and down the country on a weekly basis – creating a moment of unity whenever it is played. Pull your mates in close for this one and get those pints in the air as we get ready to belt ‘Sooooo, Sally can wait!’

Sundara Karma – Flame

You’ll find us causing an absolute scene in the front row for this one. Sundara Karma first took to the fields all the way back in 2016 (unbelievably!) and they’ve gone on to conquer venues up and down the country since. We’re hoping to be transported all the way back to the early days with this one as ‘Flame’ still sticks out as a real highlight in their set.

Keane – Somewhere Only We Know

Following their sold out UK tour – Keane head to Lowther to celebrate twenty years of their seminal debut album ‘Hopes and Fears’. Having had quite the resurgence in the last couple of years thanks to TikTok – there are few songs that resonate across ages quite as much as ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and we can’t imagine a more perfect atmosphere to witness it live. Against the backdrop of the Lake District fells, in the sunset slot, with a bev in hand – sounds unbelievable if you ask us.

Kate Nash – Foundations

We simply can’t wait to hear a field of 20,000 shouting the word ‘bitter’ as if their lives depended on it. The queen of witty-pop herself will take to the Main Stage on Sunday afternoon and we’ll be ready and waiting to scream-sing ‘Foundations’ like it’s the early 00’s again.

Katy B – Katy on a Mission

Simply put, it’s an absolute banger. Gun fingers at the ready for this one as Katy B takes to the upside down garden of Parklands! Unbelievably, it’s been fourteen years since Katy released this tune but it still hits the exact same as back in 2010.

The Snuts – Gloria

In 2019, The Snuts played Kendal Calling for the first time – opening up Calling Out. Two years later, they returned to headline that very same stage. This year – they’ll make their Main Stage debut! The Scottish sensations will be venturing across the border, armed with their brand new album – including their smash hit ‘Gloria’ – see you down the front?

The Hunna – She’s Casual

Anyone who saw The Hunna’s headline set in Calling Out last year will understand why they had to join this year’s adventure – what an unbelievable atmosphere! We expect nothing less as we transport that electricity onto the Main Stage for 2024. As one of the first acts on, taking to the stage on Thursday evening – we can’t think of a better way to kickstart a weekend in the fields.

Make sure to follow our 2024 Spotify Playlist:

Would it truly be ‘spooky season’ without a delightful campfire ghost story? The Lake District is known for its rich history of folklore and supernatural sightings, it’s truly an incredibly magical area filled with an abundance of history and stories often passed down through generations. But I bet you didn’t know about the ghost of Wicked Jimmy, the first Earl of Lonsdale? He is said to roam the lands and estate of Lowther, the very spot we pitch camp in every summer for Kendal Calling. 

If you should ever find yourself amongst the old land and halls. Of Lowther Estate and its grand castle walls. 

Keep a wary eye on the blind spots you pass, and listen for the cries of an ill-fated romance.

For in a place so serene hides a dark gruesome scene, of an Earl and his lover, after death intervened.

The Earl went by many names throughout his life, earning the nicknames: Toadstool Earl, Jimmy Grasp-All, and Gloomy Earl, none of them in any way a compliment to his nature. Living from 1736 to 1802 he was quoted as being “Tyrannical, overbearing, violent, and frequently under no restraint of temper or of reason” so basically, the worst person you would ever want at a dinner party. James Lowther (Wicked Jimmy’s formal name) had the luckiest of blessings to inherit three fortunes, making him the Bill Gates of Georgian wealth. As one would assume of a man born to such privilege he then pursued politics, having a talent for the political gamesmanship of the time. 

Demonized in public and disliked in private, it’s hard to imagine James Lowther having a soft side or soft spot for others in general, but surprisingly he did have affection for one individual, and that was for his mistress Betsy Lewes. Betsy was the daughter of an innkeeper who was said to have returned the sentiments, and was later installed into a house by James not far from London, where she was spoiled with all kinds of luxuries. 

Tragically, where James Lowther’s great fortunes seem to run out, Betsy passed away not too long after. It is rumoured that Jimmy, inconsolable with grief, refused to admit that she had passed away. He is said to have dressed her and dined with her decaying body, eventually coming to some sense and keeping her body in a glass-lidded coffin; she was finally laid to rest 7 weeks after her death. 

The Earl died on the 24th of May 1802 where it was rumoured that his corpse had leapt from his coffin during his funeral, and that his spirit still roams Lowther Castle in its now out placed Georgian dress. On the anniversary of his funeral, if the moon is full, you may even spot his ghostly carriage through the grounds of Lowther Castle.

Whatever the truth is, it certainly ties a very hauntingly macabre bow around the legend. So you never know, next time you’re in the fields with us and Kendal has gone quiet from sleepy festival goers, Wicked Jimmy may be afoot, still stuck in 1802 forever yearning for his beloved. Happy Halloween Kendal Callers!

A huge thank you to hauntedpalaceblog and Lowther Estate for the information on Wicked Jimmy and his tragic end, check out their webpages for more info!

“an incredible experience, with incredible people”

Not our words, the words of the immortal Rick Astley! He’s not wrong either – Kendal Calling 2023 was a stunning weekend where the camaraderie of the audience spread to the artists – with notable collaborations and secret sets happening across site. That familiar air of something special returned to the fields of Lowther Deer Park as the weekend progressed culminating in our end of weekend firework bonanza soundtracked by Kendal legends, Lottery Winners.

Scouting for Girls and the legendary Nile Rodgers & Chic kicked off the weekend with a bang on the Main Stage while Chai Wallahs swung open it’s doors as the travelling tent welcomed TC & The Groove Family and many more. For us though, the highlight of Thursday night was simply being back in those fields, with a pint of Kend’ale, wandering around and taking in the sights for the first time in a year.

Oktoberfest

Speaking of our favourite beer – our Bavarian palace returned for another round of Oompah fun! Nothing will get you in the festival spirit quite like walking into a packed tent of people singing along to a brass cover of ‘Sweet Caroline’. Truly the place to go for a party throughout the weekend, the tent took Thursday night in the fields to new peaks as we danced on the tables to Twisted Time Machine’s Thursday Night Fever!

Dick and Dom

Parklands, Friday

As has become tradition, TV legends Dick & Dom opened the upside down garden of Parklands, drawing in a colossal crowd for the largest game of Bogies known to man! Who knew these two Saturday morning stars were so well versed in drum and bass?!

Example

Main Stage, Friday

In a close to the wire moment, Example arrived on-site and immediately went on-stage to deliver an incredible high energy set packing in all the hits alongside a few well-known singalongs. Returning for the first time in nine years, it’s safe to say Example was the perfect warm up for the evening’s headliners.

The Lathums

Tim Peaks Diner, Friday

Kendal veterans will know that Tim Peaks Diner is a world unto it’s own, with incredible spontaneous happenings each year. This year was no different with The Lathums playing a not-so-secret-set on Friday afternoon. Even more special though as the set was recorded, pressed onto vinyl and made available for sale on-site come Sunday afternoon thanks to our friends at Press On Vinyl, with all proceeds going to The Lathums’ own charity.

Kasabian 

Main Stage, Friday

Arguably our biggest headliners to date, Kasabian took to the natural amphitheatre we call the Main Stage on Friday night – bringing their arsenal of hits with them. From the opening moments of ‘Club Foot’ – we just knew it was going to be carnage. Serge commanding the crowd like nothing seen before – an incredible way to close day one at Lowther.

twisted time machine’s abba disco 

Desert Island Disco, Friday

You were the dancing queens Kendal! For the second year running, our most popular disco was devoted to 70s legends ABBA. You could hear the singing from the Desert Island Disco around site as a bunch of you Super Troopers belted out the hits until the late hours.

Mel C

Main Stage, Saturday

“I’ve waited so long to play this festival!” – Mel C lauded the weekend on her Instagram account. If only we knew, we’d have asked earlier! A true dream to have a real life Spice Girl in the fields this year. Bringing solo hits and of course, a few 90s classics, this was one of those perfect afternoon moments in the natural amphitheatre.

kids calling

Weekend long

Providing entertainment for the next generation of Kendal Callers – Kids Calling settled into it’s new home next to the Picturehouse – with activities galore! From giant inflatable slides to craft workshops to live theatre shows – there was never a dull moment for the little ones here!

Frank Turner

Parklands, Saturday

Frank Turner brought out everyone’s singing voices with a set that included a heartfelt tribute to fellow musician, Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchinson. As a true friend of the festival, it was a joy to have Frank back and the intimate surrounding of the tent made the performance all the more special.

LOTTERY WINNERS

Main Stage, Saturday

Having risen through the ranks from their first appearance opening the House Party stage to virtually nobody back in 2010 – Lottery Winners made their Main Stage debut! Complete with a guest appearance from Frank Turner – this was a truly monumental set that we won’t forget anytime soon.

Rick Astley

Main Stage, Saturday

Dazzling in his salmon pink suit, Rick Astley proved he’s the eternal crowd pleaser on the Main Stage as he covered Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’ only to then be joined by KT Tunstall for a rendition of AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’. Naturally, he closed his set with everyone’s favourite internet meme hit, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.

Lost Eden

Weekend long

Our cornucopia of curiosity returned with a feast for all the senses! Always our favourite area of the festival, the Woods took on new life as it was adorned with art installations and micro-venues galore – including the new addition of Rimski’s Yard – a chaotic ramshackle workshop home to the wackiest performances on-site.

Blossoms

Main Stage, Saturday

Stockport’s favourite sons came flanked by the Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham! After a long journey from opening the Main Stage back in 2015 – the boys finally took to the headline spot 8 years later – and what a set it was! Tom Ogden giving his best Jarvis Cocker as he swerved through banger after banger.

The summer of love parade!

Across Site, Sunday

Featuring giant puppets, live drumming from Batala and signs made from our on-site workshops – The Summer of Love parade weaved its way across site on Sunday afternoon. For a moment in time, we were transported back to the sixties as we stood in amazement at the spectacle of it all.

KATE BUTCH & CRUDI DENCH’S LIP SYNC LOLLAPALOOZA

The Soapbox, Sunday

Variety is the spice of life and the key to a great festival experience – away from the singalongs and the stunning art installations – you could find any manner of cabaret and comedy in The Soapbox! Our highlight though was our resident drag queens Kate Butch and Crudi Dench leading the audience in a Ru-Paul-style lip sync for your life extravaganza..

Royal Blood

Main Stage, Sunday

Brighton rock duo Royal Blood took to the stage on Sunday and ensured they rocked the life back into our already wet crowd. Channeling the blues-rock dynamism of the likes of the White Stripes and the Black Keys as well as amping up the ferocity with scuzzy riffs and blustering energy, they sang well-loved singles such as Little Monster, and Kendal Callers were even thanked by singer Mike for their hardy persistence to party no matter what weather.

the magic teapot

Lost Eden, All Weekend

Singalongs round an open fire, nestled within the beautiful Woodlands of Lost Eden! Whether you were lucky enough to catch pop up sets from acts like Cate or Lime Garden – or simply stumbled in to belt out Mr Brightside – The Magic Teapot proved itself as the cosiest place to end the night.

FIREWORK BONANZA

Main Stage, Sunday

We always like to close out the weekend with a bang, and after Royal Blood had torn apart the Main Stage, that was rather easy! As the weekend drew to a close, we got the chance to relive it with a special highlights package accompanied by the unofficial anthem of Kendal, ‘Start Again’ by The Lottery Winners. An unforgettable moment that will live long in our memories. As we think about it now, it gets us all excited to return next year…

Since 2009, our Calling Out stage has hosted some of the world’s most exciting artists and has been home to our legendary late night indie discos! Mumford & Sons, The 1975, and more have appeared on our intimate new music stage, so if you’re looking to catch the next big thing Calling Out is the place! We have collected some of the biggest artists who have performed this stage in the early days of their career, for a glimpse back at some of Calling Out’s most iconic performers. 

Red Rocks

Mumford and Sons

In 2009, Lowther Deer Park became the new home of Kendal Calling, and with our new home we also saw a massive variety of new artists performing with us. Calling Out welcomed fresh faced Mumford and Sons to its stage for an unforgettable night of lyric belting and dancing. The British folk rock band went on to win the 2013 Grammy Album of the year with Babel, and even developed their own music festival, Gentleman of the Road, There’s hardly a soul alive that doesn’t know the words to Little Lion Man, and we are proud to have hosted them so early on in their amazing career!

Lollapalooza

The 1975

2013 was a special year for Kendal Calling, not only did we go on to win ‘Best Medium Festival’ at the UK Festival awards but our Calling Out stage was also host to the new up-and-coming pop rock band, The 1975. Performing hits like ‘Robbers’ and ‘Girls’ this gig has gone down as one those ‘I was there’ moments.

Love them or hate them, The 1975 have gone on to be one of the biggest pop rock bands of all time, headlining festivals and winning awards with each release since their black and white debut.

Catfish and the Bottlemen

Kendal Calling 2014 was a show of intergalactic proportions, the theme being outer space of course. Absolutely nothing could dampen the spirits of that years crowd, rain or shine. British indie rock band Catfish and the Bottlemen performed in Calling Out, up-and-coming at the time however you would have thought they were headliners already given their electrifying stage presence and the way the crowded belted out iconic stadium-ready tunes like ‘Cocoon’ and ‘Kathleen’. We then had the pleasure of welcoming them back in 2018 to close out the whole show on the Main Stage!

Blossoms

Blossoms have risen through the ranks over the years, and in doing so have become a Kendal favourite. Rolling onto the scene back in 2016, long before they became headliners, they first joined us in Calling Out. Performing tunes from their debut album, including the mega hit ‘Charlemagne’ – it was clear for anyone to see that these lads had a very bright future ahead!

In 2022, the band released their fourth album, ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’ and this year, it all comes full circle as the Stockport boys headline Saturday night at Kendal Calling 2023!

Loyle Carner

2017 saw Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers take to the Main Stage, but it was also the year Loyle Carner joined us in Calling Out! The London born rappers on stage energy was infectious as he gave us an unforgettable performance. 

Carner’s debut album entitled ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ was also released this year, garnering acclaim from music critics with The Independent naming it the album of the year. The album was also nominated for a  Mercury Prize this year, and In 2018, he received two respective Brit Award nominations for British Breakthrough Act and British Male Solo Artist.

Idles

In 2019, we welcomed one of the loudest bands to ever grace Lowther Deer Park – IDLES. Little did we know the heights they would reach as their second album propelled them to headline status. The band would go on to lead a rejuvenation in British punk music, with bands like Fontaines DC, The Murder Capital and Working Mens Club all continuing the charge.

The Guardian has described Idles as “Like no other British rock band of their generation” and we feel truly privileged to have seen this band in our Calling Out tent before those festival headline sets came calling.

The Snuts

2019 was an absolutely stellar line up in Calling Out and opening that weekend was none other than The Snuts. Tne Scottish indie rockers have fully cemented themselves as Kendal legends. With the festival taking a few fallow years, Kendal Calling returned in 2022 and none other than The Snuts found themselves headlining our Calling Out tent, a true testament to how much they had grown in those years! Maybe we’ll be able to swoop them back another year!

Check out our 2023 Calling Out line up here!

With Kendal Calling fast approaching, the hype is getting all too real! What better way to keep the excitement going than to announce our Calling Out line-up!

Over the years, this iconic stage has played host to some of the best up and coming music from across the globe, including The 1975, Mumford and Sons and IDLES.

2023 see’s the return of Kendal favourites Circa Waves occupying the headline slot on Saturday night while The Hunna will close out the weekend in the big top.

Get your singing voice ready as TikTok sensation William Joseph Cook will also be joining us, along with rising indie pop stars Rachel Choueiri and Katy J Pearson.

On Friday night, longtime friend of the festival Chris Hawkins’ Awesome Friends will be taking over the tent to bring you some of the freshest tunes around from cult megastars Wunderhorse, indie songstress Matilda Mann and stalwarts of the scene, Spector.

Although we’re excited about the music, we’re equally excited to see our tent transformed into another world! For those of you that joined us in 2022, you’ll know our tents are anything but ordinary with each taking on a life of it’s own as step inside, and of course, this will be the case once more as we take inspiration from this year’s theme.

50 Unmissable Moments At Kendal Calling 2025!

Is it too early to talk about 2026?

Line-up Revealed!

kendal ’25 is a sell out!

Celebrating 20 Years of Kendal Calling

Arts5

Here at Kendal Calling we pride ourselves for bringing incredible live acts and arts to the Lake District for the biggest weekend of the summer. We’re so fortunate to have such a beautiful landscape to transform into our magical wonderland each year, but we aren’t the only ones who admire the area surrounding us. Wildlife and greenery thrive for the rest of the year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Lowther Estate. 

We are proud to be hosted by Lowther every year, they are passionately committed to improving the land and wildlife of the estate along with being proactive in their vast conservation efforts. From incorporating tree planting, introducing new heritage animals, and natural habitat protection. They are key players in bettering the fields we hold dear.

As part of the conservation efforts, they have taken up rewilding, allowing the English Longhorns to roam freely on the fields for the rest of the year like our distant roommates, each bringing their own unique personalities and quirks that only add more charm to an already flourishing area, “The cows definitely have their own personalities” explains Laura, a member of the Lowther team “working with them over the last few years the staff have gotten to know them well. It’s great to see the calves grow and learn from the herd.” In the summer months these majestic creatures can be seen utilising the wetlands, rivers, and streams to cool off in, a pleasant contrast to the once near-uninhabited area. 

It was also delightfully confirmed that as of last week, Lowther now has 48 calves on the grounds. That’s a small village of Longhorns who are vital in bettering the vegetation and agriculture that surrounds them.“They are amazing at creating vegetation mosaic and diversity” explains Jim Bliss, the Conservation Manager at Lowther Estate “They transport seed from our woodlands and meadows into other pastures and they expose soil with their heavy foot prints allowing seeds to reach soil and germinate.”

With each Longhorn born onto the Estate comes an adorable name to pair with it, “All females have names. Each year we use a different letter. Currently in 2023 all heifers born start with ‘B’. So far names include; Beech, Blossom, Bluebell, Betty, Barbie, Birch, Brooke, Bambi and a few others” explains Jim “for example if a cow was called Grape, her calf would be called Vine” so in theory we could have a mother cow named KendalCaller, and then all offspring could be named after a stage (this isn’t a hint, but if a member of the Lowther team happens to see this and loves the idea we are fully on board).

The Longhorn lineage has had a massive positive impact for the team at Lowther. Laura described that a top moment for her has been “the birth of our first heifer calf back in November 2019 – Lowther Park Una. She has grown well since then and I’m pleased to report she had her first calf on 3rd May this year.” Una and her family along with the other 46 cattle like Grape and her daughter Vine, could live where you pitch your very tent or park your campervan.

Lowther takes on the approach of “nature friendly farming” as explained by Jim, “this has a focus on the delivery of benefits towards nature recovery as our primary focus. This involves managing our cattle holistically to get our grazing pressure right. Alongside this grazing plan, we have done a lot of work with habitat creation to help improve the environment alongside the cattle” and we hope our attendees will take on this approach too, by remembering we share the land with the Longhorns as well as other wildlife, and to help make sure we don’t leave any unwanted items or rubbish that will disrupt the cattle’s abode. 

Lowther Estate have made ambitious changes to our annually adopted home, from their nature friendly farming to their conservation efforts, they have allowed natural processes to return to the land, which has allowed for wildlife to thrive. The Longhorns are only a taste of the positive impact put into rewilding, and we love watching the area only continue to flourish. 

We are so thankful that we get to borrow this stunning area and live amongst the beauty of Lowther Estate every year, and you never know, maybe you’ll even spot a Longhorn during your visit…

Visit the Lowther Estate website here and learn more!

The Lowther Estate takes great care of our Kendal Calling home during and after the festival, with incredible rewilding and environmental projects. They have been able to reintroduce animals and plant life to the fields and neighbouring land. 

It is due to the continued efforts of Lowther and other friends of Kendal Calling that we are able to put on our festival every year, and we are continuously thankful that we are able to call Lowther our home as the wildlife flourishes.

Another friend of ours, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, have recently been nominated for a Dam Removal Award for their successful efforts to remove the Bowston Weir. They were able to accomplish the first major weir removal on the River Kent, standing 3 meters high and spanning 37 meters. It was constructed in 1874 to divert water to power Bowston Mill for the local paper making industry. Redundant weirs and dams are scattered across our rivers, however there is a growing movement to remove these structures as we now understand the ecological damage they cause.

VOTE HERE for Bowston Weir removal

This removal has stemmed from collaboration with the Environment Agency and Natural England to identify, investigate and deliver work that benefits the River Kent and its tributaries, as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Bowston weir removal forms part of the highly acclaimed Cumbria River Restoration programme, which aims to restore the gorgeous rivers that neighbour Kendal Callings home, benefiting the people and wildlife.

This one weir removal alone has seen an improvement to river form and function, improved migration, navigation, flood benefit and provided a 44% biodiversity uplift!

We are so excited to report that The South Cumbria Rivers Trust is a finalist for the Dam Removal Award 2022 (just when you thought you’d seen everything!), alongside four other finalists from across Europe.

We need your help in casting votes, lets help congratulate everyone for their amazing efforts in maintaining and improving the land around our great county: 

Please show your support and vote here for the Bowston Weir removal by South Cumbria Rivers Trust!

VOTE HERE for Bowston Weir removal

50 Unmissable Moments At Kendal Calling 2025!

Is it too early to talk about 2026?

Line-up Revealed!

kendal ’25 is a sell out!

Celebrating 20 Years of Kendal Calling

Arts5

Ever wanted to take a piece of Kendal Calling home with you? A memento for all of the happy memories gained in the fields? We are pleased to announce the Ten Thousand Daffodils charity fundraising project. It is set in the beautiful gardens of Lowther Castle on the Lowther Estate, where we are lucky enough every year for a weekend to run Kendal Calling. 

A striking and highly imaginative ceramic installation, Ten Thousand Daffodils takes its inspiration from Wordsworth’s poem and features a carpet of 10,000 ceramic daffodils displayed in the gardens of Lowther Castle. At the end of the installation, all the daffodils will be sold to the public and the money raised will go to six designated charities – Another Way, Sunbeams Music Trust, Ullswater Catchment Management CIC and Friends of The Ullswater Way, all local; the New Horizon Youth Centre and James’ Place, both national. It is hoped that around £300,000 will be shared among them. The event is based on the hugely successful Poppies at the Tower of London, which likewise raised an impressive sum for charity. 

Mastermind of the project, Ullswater Way based potter Helen Ratcliffe explains: “All the charities are focused on creating better futures for the planet and us. Friends of the Ullswater Way, Another Way and Ullswater Catchment Management CIC are local charities working towards positively impacting the environment. Sunbeams is a delightful music therapy charity”  Helen goes on to say, “also based in the nearby Ullswater Valley; New Horizon focuses on helping young homeless people find a home; and finally James’ Place was nominated by the Lowther family as it is a charity that helps young men in suicidal crisis.” The strong emphasis on the environment mirrors Lowther’s nature-friendly farming strategy which has been put in place to encourage natural processes to return, carbon capture to improve and wildlife to flourish. The estate’s wilding efforts are particularly focused on the medieval Deer Park, the site of Kendal Calling.“

In its preparations for the installation, the Ten Thousand Daffodils team has received a huge amount of help, with over 500 people having come forward to help out with the project. These volunteers have ranged from locals to people from the other side of the globe! “Their smiling faces and endless energy on the darkest and chilliest winter days have spurred us on. Many of our volunteers already benefit from the services of our beneficiary charities and so connections are deep,” Helen says. 

When we asked Helen which song best describes the campaign, she answered “With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles”. The title alone sums up what this project has been all about: People coming together, giving their time to achieve something incredibly special.” Much the same as our festival in the fields each year. “In addition Ten Thousand Daffodils has not only created a piece of art but also is facilitating the work and growth of smaller, lesser-known deserving charities.”

Helen adds: “The daffodil is celebrated as a symbol of the coming of spring and with it hope of brighter days ahead.” Not only does the event echo the brighter, more exciting days of Kendal Calling but we also find it fits with the overall message of Kendal Calling, people coming together, forming new friendships in the fields, and providing a space for new relationships to flourish! 

If you would like to reserve your own daffodil, you can do so at: https://tenthousanddaffodils.org/product/a-unique-hand-crafted-daffodil/


If you wish to visit the ceramic installation, it will be running from 24 April – 24 June 2023, at the Lowther Castle & Gardens: https://tenthousanddaffodils.org/the-project/

If you would like to reserve your own daffodil, you can do so at: https://tenthousanddaffodils.org/product/a-unique-hand-crafted-daffodil/

If you wish to visit the ceramic installation, it will be running from 24 April – 24 June 2023, at the Lowther Castle & Gardens: https://tenthousanddaffodils.org/the-project/ 

50 Unmissable Moments At Kendal Calling 2025!

Is it too early to talk about 2026?

Line-up Revealed!

kendal ’25 is a sell out!

Celebrating 20 Years of Kendal Calling

Arts5