Bluebird K7 Festival – Coniston

11 – 17th May 2026

This May, Coniston Water will once again become the focus of international attention as visitors gather to witness the iconic Bluebird K7 and celebrate the legacy of Donald Campbell.

Perched above the eastern shore, Brantwood offers one of the finest vantage points on the lake with sweeping, uninterrupted views across the water to the heart of the action.

Away from the crowds in the village, you can experience:

• Panoramic lake views of the entire K7 run
• A peaceful setting to observe activity on the water
• Space to relax and take in the atmosphere
• Plenty to see and do outside of K7 runs
• Outdoor cafe seating overlooking the lake

Whether you are a lifelong enthusiast or simply drawn by the occasion, Brantwood provides a memorable setting from which to experience the festival.

The Terrace cafe will be open throughout the week serving fresh coffee, cakes, breakfasts, lunch & special late openings for pizza evenings, allowing visitors a rare opportunity to remain at Brantwood as the lake settles into dusk.

Bookings for the pizza evenings are availabe here (£5 deposit per person): brantwood.org.uk/product/pizza-nights

Book online in advance

During the festival period, access will differ from normal opening arrangements:

• East of Lake road vehicle access will be restricted due to event management measures
• Access for those walking/cycling will not be affected
• Parking will be available on site for booked visitors (£10 per car)
• Visitors will receive full access guidance with their booking confirmation
• Free admission will be available for annual ticket holders & Friends on Monday & Tuesday, for annual ticket holders please fill in the form here to get your tickets. For Friends’ tickets please contact the membership secretary.

Opening hours

• Gardens 9am – 6pm
• House & Shop 10am – 5pm
• Terrace Cafe 9am – 8pm
• Car Park 9am – 8:30pm

Please note we are unable to accommodate arrivals before 9am or any overnight parking.

Accessibility

• Disabled drop-off is available directly at the main house and outside the cafe. Standard parking fees apply for Blue Badge holders.
• Our gardens are set across multiple levels with significant changes in elevation. Paths include steep inclines, uneven surfaces, and steps throughout. Due to the natural topography of the gardens are unsuitable for most wheelchair users.
• We offer complimentary admission for essential companions to ensure our site is accessible to everyone. Please book your own ticket as usual, then forward your confirmation and supporting documentation to hello@brantwood.org.uk and we will update your booking.

Festival information

The Bluebird K7 will be setting off from The Boating Centre across the lake from Brantwood. A launch service will be running (weather dependent) to and from Brantwood and the Coniston Boating Centre throughout the festival week.

Details of the festival events and schedule can be found here: bluebirdk7thefestival.co.uk

FAQs

How do I get to Brantwood with the road closure?
During the festival, the East of Lake Road will be under a temporary traffic management order. Marshals will be stationed at key entry points to prevent unauthorised vehicle access and on-street parking, ensuring the road remains clear for emergency vehicles and local residents.

• By Car: Access is strictly limited between 9am and 5pm to Brantwood festival ticket holders with a pre-booked parking space. When you book you will receive a confirmation email containing specific access guidance and a pass to show the marshals at the closure points.
• On Foot or Bicycle: Access for walkers and cyclists remains unaffected.
• By Water: A dedicated launch service will run between the Coniston Boating Centre and the Brantwood jetty throughout the week. This offers a direct route across the lake subject to daily weather conditions. Tickets are available to purchase with your Brantwood K7 Festival Tickets.
• Public Transport: Coniston is accessible via the Stagecoach 505 (Kendal to Coniston) and the Blueworks X12 (Ulverston to Coniston). From the village, you can reach Brantwood by Coniston Launch from the Coniston Boating Centre (pre-booking required) or on foot (approx 2.5 mile walk).

Are your tickets refundable?

Our tickets are non-refundable, except in instances where Brantwood has to close or in the case of ferry tickets where the Coniston Launch service is unable to operate. While the K7 trials are a powerful draw, these are a public spectacle organised independently of the Brantwood Trust. Your ticket provides access to our historic house, exhibitions, and RHS Partner gardens during the festival week.

If your sole reason for visiting is to see the K7 and don’t want to pre-book, tickets to visit Brantwood will still be available on the day. However, please be aware that due to the size of our car park, on-site parking is limited so may not be available.

Can I just pay for parking?
Parking is reserved for Brantwood ticket holders only. Due to limited space, we aren’t able to offer public parking-only access.

Public parking is available in Coniston at the following providers:

• Official event parking: https://bluebirdk7thefestival.co.uk/on-site-parking/
• The Bluebird Car and Coach Park: https://www.conistonparking.co.uk/
• Lake District National Park Pay & Display: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/

Ruskin Avenue ///stirs.loud.penny
Monk Coniston ///angry.magical.banana (1.5 mile / 35min walk from Brantwood)
Old Station ///caravan.selects.breathing

Can I just buy a boat ticket?
Coniston Launch ferry access is currently limited to festival ticket holders only. If this changes, we will post an update directly to our website. If you didn’t book ferry tickets at the time and would like to add them to your booking please email hello@brantwood.org.uk with your booking reference.

What time are the K7 runs scheduled?
Specific run times are not fixed as they are highly dependent on water conditions and technical checks. Runs will be announced around 40 minutes before via a PA system as well as social media.

Will I see the boat up close at Brantwood?
Brantwood offers a superb vantage point to see the full K7 run route, located near the mid-point of expected runs on the Eastern shore of the lake. For an up-close look at the boat while stationary, or to see the team, you can visit the Coniston Boating Center on the west side of the lake (shuttle tickets for the ferry are available to purchase together with Brantwood K7 festival tickets).

Is there Wi-Fi or mobile signal?
Mobile signal can be patchy on the eastern shore of Coniston but is generally available by the lake shore. Wi-Fi is available throughout the buildings on site as well as some garden areas.

Are there EV charging points?
Brantwood does not currently have facilities for EV charging. The nearest public chargers are found in Coniston village.

Can I bring my dog?
Brantwood is dog-friendly, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and the Terrace Cafe, though not inside the historic house itself. Please note the jet engine will be noisy and it may not be the best environment for your dog.

Can I use my annual pass or concession?
Annual pass holders can book in advance to use their admission passes on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th May here to gain entry to Brantwood. Friends of Brantwood can also visit on the Monday & Tuesday – please contact the membership secretary for details. Admission the rest of the week will be by festival ticket only. Please note that due to limited capacity during the festival, on-site parking will not be available for complimentary bookings.
All other concessions are suspended for the full week.

Can I moor at your jetty or land on the beach?
No, the jetty and beach are strictly reserved for the Coniston Launch ferry service and the Steam Yacht Gondola. For safety reasons, mooring and landing by private watercraft is not permitted during the week. Access to our jetty will also not be permitted except for embarking and disembarking scheduled ferry services.

Can I bring a drone?

Drones are prohibited from taking off or landing on Brantwood land throughout the festival. Please be advised that event organisers have also applied for a temporary no-fly restriction.