AN annual late-summer highlight in Cumbria's festival programme is set to return this weekend.

By Karl Steel ( email )

The Grasmere Guzzler festival returns for three days, from Friday September 2 to Sunday 4, with its biggest audience ever expected for the 10th anniversary event.

One of the Lake District's best-loved music and beer events, over the course of a decade it has grown from 100 visitors to more than 4,000 visitors arriving for last year's festival.

Providing the entertainment

The musical line-up has now been confirmed, with a few minor changes since it was first announced.


Bad Transmission Friday's line-up features some of the region's best-known names, with The Hey Down Treaders - fresh from an appearance at Kendal Calling - in the headline slot, with Room Full of Mirrors, Catholic Abuse Apology, Bad Transmission, Righteous Bees, Bag of Spanners, Atlas and Jon Dawes also appearing on the opening day, between 3pm and midnight.

Merseyside funk and reggae band The Fire Beneath The Sea - who starred in the headline slot at the Magic Orchard festival last summer - top the bill on the Saturday, alongside fire performer Phoenix Rose, and musical acts Shallamarra, The Groove Cutters, Cindy and the Bullets, Dansi, Molly Warburton, Paper Cranes, Jimi Hodgson, and Matt Cowe. Saturday's music starts at 2pm.

The final day includes appearances from the likes of The Woodsmen, The Orchid Hunters, Stone Three, Serene, Shallow Waters, Olivia Miller, and Carol Hodge, from 1pm onwards, before psychedelic folk act Mission to the Watchers round out the festival with their Sunday headline slot at 7pm.

Will there be food and drink?

Primarily started as a beer festival, and as the name suggests, drink still plays a huge part in proceedings at the Grasmere Guzzler.

More than 100 ales, ciders and world beers will be on offer over the three days, and there will also be a barbecue in the grounds of Dale Lodge.

Breweries involved this year include: Oakham Ales, Ilkley Brewery, Vocation Brewery, Seven Brothers, Tyne Bank Brewery, Red Willow, Salopian, Hawkshead Brewery, Great Heck, First Chop, Squawk, The Hop Studio, Fyne Ales and Brewsmith.

How to get there


Dale Lodge Hotel Take the A591 towards Grasmere. From the south, follow signs for Ambleside. After passing the 30mph speed limit sign, follow the sign for Grasmere. Follow the road for 400 yards until it bends sharply to the left and the sharply to the right. The entrance to the Dale Lodge Hotel is immediately on your right.

The closest west coast main line station is Oxenholme. There is a shuttle train to Windermere. Take the 555 or 599 bus to Grasmere, or you can also travel by taxi.

Tickets and accommodation

Grasmere Guzzler is free to attend, so no booking is required.

Visitors will now also be able to camp in the gardens at The Dale Lodge Hotel, where the event is held outside the Tweedies bar, with a limited number of spaces available to pre-book.

Accommodation at Dale Lodge Hotel is already being booked up quickly, but rooms and camping spaces can be reserved by phoning 015394 35300.