Keswick Mountain Festival

Cumbria's annual outdoor shindig begins this week

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is due to speak at the sold-out Keswick Mountain Festival this week in Cumbria.

It's being billed as 'Five days of adventure', and if you're not up to anything this weekend, WideWorld reckons the this annual gathering dedicated to everything outdoors could very well be the best thing happening in the UK this month.

The festival runs from May 19th to 23rd. Fiennes is speaking this Friday, May 21st, at the Theatre by the Lake. "I was thrilled to be asked to headline this year's Keswick Mountain Festival," he said. "The event offers a great platform to encourage more people to get outdoors and the programme is packed with adventures and activities. It's great to be a part of it all."

There will also be a raffle - with Fiennes' latest book up for grabs - throughout the festival to raise money for 'Friends of Fiennes Institute' a hospice built by the explorer's grandfather.

Over the five days there is wild swimming, triathlons, fell racing, biking, paddling and hiking. Adventure Base, on the shore of Derwentwater, beneath the classic summits of Skiddaw and Catbells, is where visitors can check out new themed areas: BIKE, CLIMB, HIKE, KIDS, PADDLE AND TRIATHLON. Experts will be on hand to give tips and let you try out some new activities plus find out about the latest gear.

For more information, visit: www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk