Brougham Hall’s popular Wartime Weekend to return

Families can step back in time to the 1940s as Brougham Hall is transformed into a Second World War style village, with military displays, vehicles and stalls showcasing authentic Allied living history.

The event commemorates the hall’s part in the war, when it was commandeered by Sir Winston Churchill and became home to hundreds of soldiers for the development of a top secret weapon, the Canal Defence Light.

Vintage vehicles at last year's event (Image: Supplied)An audio-visual exhibition will portray the impact of war on Cumbria, as well as an outline of the role of both Brougham Hall and Lowther Castle’s Canal Defence Light School, which was also known as “Monty’s moonlight”.

As well as the historical displays visitors can enjoy period music from The Bobby Pin-Ups and Rachel Mercer, food, drinks and ice cream from Fell and Bean and Shap Chippy Van, and a bar by Black Cat Distillery who have a gin distillery at Brougham.

This year children can have a go at various activities such as building their own parachute, and there will be talks on the history of Brougham Hall, including stories about escaped Luftwaffe pilots, Polish resettlement at Brougham, Churchill, Eisenhower’s visit and the Windermere Children.

The event is a great outing for the whole family, from young children to the older generation, offering plenty of things for children to see and space for them to play. Brougham Hall’s artisan studios and shops will also be open as usual.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in vintage clothes for the occasion.

The event is organised by the Military Vehicles Trust, who bring a large display of military vehicles in full working order for the public to see.

Brougham Hall Wartime Weekend, located just a mile south of Penrith, is open to the public from 10am-4pm Saturday, May 11 and Sunday , May 12, and open to school groups on Friday, May 10.

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A service of Remembrance will take place over the Memorial Arch to the 79th Armoured Division at 11am on Sunday.

There is a nominal donation of £5 per adult on the door. Dogs are welcome.