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The afternoon of Sunday 3^rd June will see a thousand boats gather on the river Thames in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It will be the largest flotilla in modern times on the river with rowing boats, working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Jacks, stretching for an estimated twelve and a half miles.

The event has proved extremely popular with three boats applying for every place. The pageant organisers and representatives from the river community were involved in the selection process which included considering safety, fitness-for-purpose and range of vessel type as well as exploring whether the vessel was of historical significance or had an interesting story to tell. At the end of 2011, organisers confirmed to applicants the lucky boats who will take part in this historic event. 

The Queen of the Lake, owned by Windermere Lake Cruises and Captained by Ron Walker, has been selected to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Queen of the Lake, a traditional Windermere wooden launch is one of the vessels listed on the National register of Historic Vessels which will be travelling in the flotilla.

Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director, Windermere Lake Cruises said: “We are delighted that Cumbria will be represented at such a high profile, patriotic event which will inevitably strike a cord with the whole country as we celebrate her Majesty the Queen and her 60 year reign together.

“We are pleased to be working with the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Royal Windermere Yacht Club and the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club to showcase an iconic image of the Lake District, Cumbria, not just to the Royal Family but also to the Great British public and the wider world. We hope to be able to involve the wider Cumbria community in this project and to give some younger Cumbrians a day out that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Built in 1949, measuring 15.2 metres and able to accommodate up to 84 passengers Queen of the Lake is based at Ambleside and is in daily service from April to October carrying passengers on Windermere, England’s longest lake. She is no stranger to royalty, having carried HRH the Prince of Wales in March 2010 when he visited the Lake District.

Queen of the Lake will travel from Windermere to London by lorry on a specially designed frame, covering almost 300 miles, a distance she hasn’t covered since she travelled to Windermere from the Thames-side town of Molsey, where she was built over 60 years ago.

Alex Williamson, Boat Building Manager for Windermere Lake Cruises and Operations Manager Russell Bowden, will be leading the team down to London for the event while Windermere Skipper Ron Walker will Captain the boat on the day itself.

Every vessel will proudly take its place in the flotilla alongside Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family aboard the Royal Barge, The Spirit of Chartwell. It will be a once in a lifetime moment for Queen of the Lake, her crew, her passengers and the Lake District, Cumbria as a whole, to be part of this glorious moment in our rich royal history.

For that comfortable, home-away-from-home feel but without sacrificing the amenities on offer at a hotel, a Bed and Breakfast can be an excellent middle ground. Cumbria has a fantastic selection of establishments that offer guests first class bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lake District. Savour the peace and quiet of a homely B&B, rising to a hearty, home cooked breakfast before taking in the various delights of the Lake District.

It’s the personal, family run feel that separates Bed and Breakfast accommodation from other places to stay in the Lake District. You can spend the night on a traditional farm in Cumbria and in particular, there are a number of truly outstanding, organic guest houses in Cumbria. These great B&Bs pride themselves on the support they provide to local producers of Cumbrian goods, as well as creating an unforgettable Lake District experience for their guests. Bed and Breakfasts are distributed throughout the Lake District, so whether you are looking for something in a picturesque little village, a stunning river valley, at the foot of an awe-inspiring mountain peak or on the shore of a beautiful lake, you can rely on home comforts with the bounty of nature on your doorstep.

The winner of ‘Bed and Breakfast of the Year 2009’ was the stunning Augill Castle, a Victorian fantasy of a medieval castle which is situated just outside the small market town of Kirkby Stephen.  Augill Castle manages to combine the impeccable standards of luxury and service that justify it as a five star B&B, with a wonderfully relaxed family atmosphere. Their homemade biscuits alone are worth the trip! Owned and operated by Simon and Wendy Bennett, Augill is renowned for its beautiful bedrooms and wonderful breakfast that use the best in Cumbrian produce. Augill Castle is located in the Upper Eden Valley and sits against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Pennines, in majestic open country that has changed very little for centuries.

Springtime is a wonderful time to visit the Lake District. As the natural world reawakens after the winter, the Lake District comes alive with a host of activities that the whole family can enjoy. The range of events is vast so we thought we’d refine it to our pick of the top ten, must see attractions for anyone planning a trip to Cumbria in the coming months. For more information on any of these fantastic spring attractions, visit the Cumbria Tourism website at www.golakes.co.uk

Springtime is synonymous with lambs and this is evident all over Cumbria. One of the first things you should do on a visit to the area is walk through the beautiful green countryside and watch the cute little lambs, joyfully playing together in the spring sunshine. You’ll soon see that Cumbria is essentially one huge springtime nursery for lambs and calves. Herdwick, the distinctive Lakeland breed of sheep, have black lambs that then fade to chocolate brown and eventually to grey as they age. They’re usually over a year old before they are mature enough to eat but their mixed diet and long natural lifestyle produces a meat so rich and tender that it has become a national delicacy.

For something a little more sedate, the Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal will be providing free admittance to under 18s and to people up to 25 who are in full time education. The beautiful setting, on the banks of the River Kent, makes it the ideal place to take some time for quiet reflection but there is also the option of taking full advantage of their inspiring programme of activities, lectures and events. Some of the illustrious and celebrated artists that the gallery has been lucky enough to exhibit in recent years include Lucian Freud, Bridget Riley, Euan Uglow and Walter Richard Sickert. The offer of free admission includes access to any temporary or permanent events and exhibitions. www.abbothall.org.uk

The Lake District’s Coniston Water provided a huge amount of inspiration for Ransome’s classic adventure story, Swallows and Amazons. Now, to celebrate this seminal piece of literature and the upcoming re-imagining of this fabulous book for the big screen, Coniston Launch is offering a special cruise around many of the locations Ransome used as the basis for his magical tale. Take this fabulous opportunity to explore Beckfoot, Holly Howe, Kanchenjunga, Wild Cat Island and the Amazons’ boathouse. www.conistonlaunch.co.uk

For the February mid-term, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle will be running a series of workshops that aim to teach children about recycling by making toys from materials that would usually end up in the bin. How about making a model rocket and launcher out of a lemonade bottle? Or turning an old drinks can, a couple of CDs and a pin into a balloon-bursting chariot? Or even creating a dragon fly that can balance on your finger tip out of an old fashioned clothes peg? Chris Robson, retired head of Science from St Bees, runs these ever-popular and exceedingly innovative workshops right across the region. www.tulliehouse.co.uk

The Carlisle and Borders Spring Show at Bitts Park is a horticultural and flower show with over 50 exhibitors and traders selling a variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and garden accessories. In addition to this, there is a countryside section, a floral art marquee, Made in Cumbria crafts and a catering that serves the finest local produce. There is a selection of activities which are especially for young ones too, like the children’s arts and crafts marquee, plus entertainment and refreshments.

The World of Beatrix Potter is holding a Cumbria-wide Easter egg hunt which will start on 31 March and run until all of the 100, extra special Easter eggs are found. Every egg entitles its finder to an impressive prize but it’s worth remembering that the eggs could be anywhere, right across the Cumbrian countryside, in gardens and on lakes. So, get the whole family in on the hunt and keep your eyes peeled! www.hop-skip-jump.com

For a couple of days of unbridled fun that’s sure to enchant the whole family, look no further than Tom Fools Day at Muncaster Castle. Join in the mayhem on 1 April and enjoy performances by 2009’s Fool of Muncaster, Will Tease! There’s also going to be Foolish Football with Muncaster mascot Max MeadowVole. If you can score a goal, you’ll win a prize. Another opportunity not to be missed is the chance to Pelt a Pennington! The family who live at Muncaster have gamely volunteered to be pelted with wet sponges, eggs and flour bombs, all in aid of a local charity. www.muncaster.co.uk

If you’re looking for a unique way to stay in the Lake District, the Camping and Caravanning Club at Eskdale may have the answer. They now boast a quirky new addition to their camp site – Camping Pods.  The pods themselves look like little half acorns and are secure, heated wooden shelters that each sleep up to four people and only cost £40 per night.  They’re constructed of locally sourced timber, insulated with Lakeland sheep’s wool and carefully designed to sit well in the glorious Eskdale countryside. http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/eskdale-camping-pods

Ullswater ‘Steamers’ is an award-winning Lake District attraction celebrating over 150 years sailing on England’s most beautiful lake. This is an ideal opportunity to spend the day with the RSPB, identifying the rich variety of bird species that can be found on and around Ullswater. Your day will also include an escorted walk through your choice of two different habitats, depending on whether you’re more of a river ramble or woodland wander type of person. Cruises will be taking place on 15 and 16 May and depart from Glenridding Pier at 10.30, arriving back at approx 16.00. www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

The Keswick Mountain Festival is a must for any climbing enthusiasts intending to visit the Lake District in springtime. Enthralling stories from this year’s line-up of speakers will inspire seasoned adventurers and arm-chair explorers alike. Lakes-based climber Leo Houlding talks about the film (shot by Alistair Lee) of his ambitious expedition to make the first free ascent of the daunting north face of Mount Asgard on Canada’s Baffin Island. Miner-turned-climber Andy Cave, author of Learning to Breathe, will also tell of his assault (and a colleague’s tragic accident) on the north face of Changabang, one of the hardest routes in the Himalayas. www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/