Ten things we love about Cumbria

Cumbria Day will see the county’s six MPs bring businesses to the Palace of Westminster, all in an effort to raise the county’s profile. As part of the celebrations, Cumbria Tourism has launched a campaign to get #cumbriaday trending on Twitter.

MP for Penrith and The Border, Rory Stewart, said: “Cumbria Day continues to be a great success and is an important opportunity for local businesses to network on a national stage. I’m delighted to welcome Appleby Creamery, Cumbrian Adventures and Original Marquees down to Westminster this year.

“Farming is the bedrock of Cumbria’s identity and tourism is vital to its economy, so I’m thrilled to invite two businesses that are excellent examples of what our county has to offer.”

Alex Darroch, of Cumbrian Adventures, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Cumbria Day 2019, and to have the opportunity to showcase our business. We are all very proud of the Cumbrian economy and the prospects that exist within, and this is a great occasion to represent local people and businesses.”

Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “It’s little wonder that visitors come back to Cumbria again and again. It is a unique and dynamic county full of diverse businesses, world-class landscapes and authentic people who are staunchly proud of this special place.

“As an organisation, we’re also immensely proud to be part of the event at Westminster, which gives us a chance to showcase some thriving Cumbrian businesses to decision-makers at the heart of government. Importantly, Cumbria Day also gives anyone with a passion for the county a real opportunity to shout about our successes and explain why Cumbria is so vibrant, surprising and unique.”

She added: “This is a great opportunity to share how proud we are to live, work or just love this wonderful part of the world and raise awareness with visitors – old and new.”

1. EXPLORERS: Sir Chris Bonington, who lives near Hesket Newmarket, is famous for his climbing achievements. Alfred Wainwright, who lived in Kendal, was responsible for the Wainwrights

2. POSTMAN PAT: Inspiration for the show, written by John Cunliffe, came while he was living in Kendal and the surrounding area. ‘Greendale’ the village is modelled on Longsleddale, near Kendal

3. BISCUITS: Carlisle’s McVitie’s factory is the only place where Carr’s Table Water crackers can be baked. The factory is also home to the custard cream. It is one of the oldest and biggest biscuit factories in the world

4. TYRES: Carlisle’s Pirelli tyre plant, opened in 1969, supplies tyres to Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Maserati. The city site employs about 850 people

5. HERITAGE SITES: Cumbria is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, with the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall. The former was awarded its status in 2017, while the latter was recognised in 1987

6. LIARS: The World’s Biggest Liar contest, held annually at Santon Bridge, is a competition where people have to come up with the best porkies. Winners include Sue Perkins, one half of TV presenting duo Mel and Sue

7. TOP GURNERS: Egremont Crab Fair hosts the World Gurning Championship, where competitors are challenged with pulling the least attractive face. Aspatria’s Tommy Mattinson has won it 14 times

8. WRESTLING: Cumbria has its own style of wrestling. Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling has competed at events all across the county. The tradition dates back more than 200 years

9. UNIQUE ISLAND: Walney Island, near Barrow, is the largest English island in the Irish Sea. It also has its own airport owned by BAE systems. It is said to be the windiest lowland site in the country

10. STEEP ROAD: With an overall gradient of one in three and up to 2.5 in places, Hardknott Pass is the steepest road in England. Other major passes in Cumbria include Kirkstone Pass (one in four)