IN a first of its kind, a special new event is set to bring an exquisite Christmas shopping experience to the county.

Rheged has teamed up with Cumbria Life and CN events to develop a refreshingly different Christmas weekend on November and 18 and 19. The show will feature more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the best of Cumbria’s home and gifts, arts and crafts, food and drink, tableware, health and beauty, baby and child, stocking fillers and decorations.

Organisers are delighted to be working with stylist Emma Tebbey of Tebbey & Co, who will curate the show to ensure it celebrates craftsmanship, ethical produce, good design and innovation through a diverse range of inspirational and affordable gifts.

The Christmas Market will be complemented by a programme of talks, cookery demonstrations and hands on masterclasses led by experts where you can learn a skill or craft which will enhance your Christmas.

Talks and demonstrations are included in the £5 ticket price, and masterclasses will be ticketed separately.

Saturday's masterclass highlights include a Gingerbread House Building masterclass with craft baker Laura Johnson. Meanwhile free talks will include a Dressing your Christmas Table demonstration with Emma Tebbey and Christmas Cocktails with Helen Askew of Tipsy Filly.

Tickets cost £5 per day including a glass of Prosecco or elderflower presse, while children 16 and under enjoy free entry.

The event has a free park and ride from Penrith Auction Mart. Tickets give you access to the exhibition halls and all the free talks listed below.

Click here for a full line-up.