From a delicious selection of local producers and some brilliant live music, to a silent disco and loads of family fun – Taste Cumbria’s Wigton festival brought smiles all around on Saturday.
It was the first event of the year and kickstarted the Taste Cumbria calendar in style. The festival was free to attend and took place right in the heart of the town.
As well as the Producers’ Market, hot food court, music stage, climbing wall and children’s rides, the neighbouring Market Hall hosted plenty of family entertainment. With a magician, balloon modelling, free face painting, and arts and crafts with NADT Youth, the Wigton festival proved to be another hit with visitors.
Meanwhile, a competition to design a new celebratory flag for Wigton was won by local resident Elli Logan-Airey. Her colourful creation featured a throstle, the bird associated with Wigton, and the pump and lamp from the Market Square, amid the blue of the Solway, green grass and a ploughed field to showcase the rural location, and a rainbow to demonstrate the town’s positivity and inclusivity. She was presented with a trophy by Ian Brown, Deputy Lieutenant for Cumbria, and Sandra Hodson, the town’s Mayor.
The Taste Cumbria food festivals are organised by Cumberland Council.
Councillor Anne Quilter, the Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“Thank you to everyone who came and supported another great Taste Cumbria festival, and to the council’s event team and volunteers who work so hard to make this happen.
“We stage these events to boost the local economy, both in the towns and city we visit and for the hugely enterprising small businesses who trade at them, and this is really reaping rewards. I can’t wait for the rest of the year’s events and really hope you will come and support them.”
The next Taste Cumbria event is the Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August, before the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September then the second Taste Cumbria Carlisle event on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November. Taste Cumbria Christmas on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, also in Cockermouth, will end the year.
Cumberland Mustard – the famed deli brand
Dosa Chaska – authentic Indian street food
Dusty Dogs – award winning hot dogs, meat & veggie
Fresh Olives – many varieties to choose from
Fuzzy Duck – bar and cocktails
Gan Yam Brew Co – the brilliant independent brewery
Haverigg Smokery – perfectly smoked meats and fish
Hollybank Farm – specialist family farm-bred meats
Honeybee Artisan – handmade honey soap and skincare
Jeni’s Brownies – fabulous sweet treats
Jinger Drinks – made with real ginger extract
Lakeland Artisan – liqueurs, cordials, relishes and more
Laverock Hampers – customised food and drink creations
Meraki Sprinkles – cakes & cupcakes
Pie Demand – tasty pies that sell out fast
Kick Ass Cheeses – big variety of flavours
Really Indian – fabulous fresh curry sauces
Sunrise Patisserie – gorgeous Portuguese treats
The Three Wheel Gin Company – small batch handcrafted spirits
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy & Gelato – cheeses & ice creams
Warwick Bridge Bakery – fabulous flour, bread and cakes
Wiga Wagaa – uniquely flavoured chilli products
Taste Cumbria Cockermouth – 27 & 28 September 2025
Taste Cumbria Carlisle – 1 & 2 November 2025
Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth – 6 & 7 December 2025
Getting here
The nearest mainline train station is Carlisle – change here for the train to Maryport on the Cumbrian Coast Line. If you are travelling by car, follow the A595 from Carlisle, or leave the M6 at junction 42, take the A595 or A596 west and you should be here in just less than an hour. Here’s the bus timetable. And here’s a link to trains.
Travelling to our Maryport festival on 10/11 August? Here’s a handy link to the car parks. If you’re parking on the street, please check local signs for restrictions. You’ll need a timing disc for many of them – these are available from many local businesses.
Make a weekend of it by booking some accommodation. West Cumbria has an excellent range of accommodation from hotels, campsites and B&Bs to self catering. And don’t forget to visit the wealth of independent businesses in Maryport.
Taste Cumbria Events
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