Bluebird - next week!

[Lankyman]

THE Bluebird (K7, the one that Donald Campbell piloted on his final run) is due to be on Coniston Water this coming week.

Bluebird K7 The Festival - Bluebird K7 The Festival

Bluebird K7 The Festival is being held from the 11th – 17th May 2026 when Donald Campbell's Bluebird will return to Coniston Water.

bluebirdk7thefestival.co.uk

I'm hoping to get to a viewpoint above the lake somewhere to see her go

 

[Lankyman]

Well, we tried. To avoid the crowds we parked yesterday at Grizedale Forest (£14 but still less than the £25 being charged at Coniston) and had a pleasant sunny stroll through the trees. We got to a point just above Brantwood with a great view of the fells but only glimpses of the lake. After shifting around somewhat we settled down in the bracken (ticks!) with part of the lake in view that the organisers said would be part of the run. It was a bit windy but nothing too bad and the sun was out and quite hot at times. After a few hours and a few false alarms (military jets going by on the Dunmail bombing run) we could hear a palpable nearby jet engine revving - here we go, she's underway! But no, the noise tailed off and the waiting game started again, interrupted by a few muffled tannoy announcements. From where we were the trees blocked off the actual jetty where the 'action' was occurring. By almost 5pm which was the stated end of the day we decided to move along towards the car and then the engine revved up again. Sadly, though nothing fast moving and blue hove into sight so we set off back through the forest. At least the bluebells in the forest were nice so we did see something blue and I can say I heard the engine going.

Donald Campbell's Bluebird returns to Coniston Water

The restored hydroplane returns to the lake where its record-breaking pilot was killed in 1967.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Badlad]

10/10 for effort but I am shocked at those parking prices.

 

[Inglesport]

10/10 for effort but I am shocked at those parking prices.

It's getting ridiculous in some areas and events in the Lake District.

 

[Loki]

I live in Kendal and the parking and lack of public transport system in the lakes ensures I go to the dales mostly.

 

[Lankyman]

I live in Kendal and the parking and lack of public transport system in the lakes ensures I go to the dales mostly.

I recently got a bus pass and used it on the 555 and the Langdale bus for some walks. If you're younger it's still only £3 for a single journey (£1 on Sunday if it runs). Not as convenient as the car but it does avoid daft prices.

 

[Lankyman]

10/10 for effort but I am shocked at those parking prices.

Yes, eye-watering. We could have parked for free a bit further away from the visitor centre but would have had to walk further and we were in a hurry (pointless as it happened). A lot of the free places I used to park in are now blocked off, double yellowed or sporting ticket machines. Up the road from me at Conder Green picnic site Lancs CC charge £1 for a whole day.

 

[Max bowen]

It’s ridiculous. I refuse to pay the prices the national park authority and national trust charge on their carparks.

 

[spelfish]

It's much the same in most of the forestry carparks in Ardnamurchan - very expensive but, according to the locals, they have very few people to check cars and don't have ANPR. Therefore, the locals ignore the charges..... It probably won't work in the Lakes (and will probably stop working in Ardnamurchan quite soon). On Skye, they're quite diligent in imposing charges and fines (but it's become so crowded, I don't intend to go back).

 

[tony from suffolk]

It’s ridiculous. I refuse to pay the prices the national park authority and national trust charge on their carparks.

We've a holiday home in Keswick, so it makes sense to be a National Trust member, if only for the parking. A tip - if you join the Scottish National Trust it's cheaper & still gives you free parking and access at the English NT sites.

 

[mrodoc]

Parking costs are getting just as high in parts of the south west and using a public toilet in some places is now 50p a time.

 

[Lankyman]

Parking costs are getting just as high in parts of the south west and using a public toilet in some places is now 50p a time.

The public toilets in Inverary require a credit card. Pretty soon you'll probably need an app for a cr@p. I suspect 'spending a penny' will soon become an incomprehensible phrase to younger generations. How will the euphemisms of the future develop?

 

[ZombieCake]

The public toilets in Inverary require a credit card. Pretty soon you'll probably need an app for a cr@p. I suspect 'spending a penny' will soon become an incomprehensible phrase to younger generations. How will the euphemisms of the future develop?

Payment will be 'crypto for a cr@p' and 'paypal for a pee' !

 

[Fulk]

The public bogs in Coniston require a credit card to get in.

 

[hoehlenforscher]

Paid £12 to camp in Glenridding a few weeks back. Farmer was happy for me to leave the van there while riding bike up Helvellyn and round ullswater. I even had a shower (20p for 10 minutes) when I got back.