PADDINGTON Bear is looking forward to meeting fellow marmalade lovers at the Dalemain Marmalade Awards and Festival 2015 this weekend.

Stately home Dalemain, near Penrith, is hosting the 10th anniversary event, where more than 2,000 competition marmalades will be temptingly displayed on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the attractions will be an artisan food fair and craft stands in the historic courtyard; Fortnum & Mason tea tasting in the festival tent; and free tastings of more than 500 artisan marmalades.

Little ones will be kept entertained by face painting, crafts, a treasure hunt and marmalade making.

Wellies or sturdy shoes are recommended, and entry is £4.50 - under 16s go free - with proceeds to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

TAKE a look at well-known Cumbrian places as they have never been seen before at a new exhibition at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre.

Penrith artist Richie Johnston has taken "extremely unique mathematical photographs" of landmarks and places such as Kirkstone Pass, Keswick town centre, Glenridding and Ambleside Parish Church, transforming the familiar views into beautiful microcosms.

The exhibition is called Small World Project: Cumbria and runs until April 23 at the Warehouse Gallery.

ALPINE experts are to share their expertise at Beetham Nurseries this weekend.

Miniature gardens, specimen Alpine troughs, talks, demonstrations and more will be providing plenty of inspiration to garden lovers at the free Alpine weekend this Saturday and Sunday .

Members of the North Lancashire branch of the Alpine Garden Society will be giving talks both days on how to plant an alpine trough (11am and 3pm) and how to construct a rock garden (1pm).

WHATEVER the weather, mums and dads and their little ones are invited along to RSPB Leighton Moss, near Silverdale, this Tuesday for Nature Tots.

The interactive wildlife trail promises plenty of fun, such as outdoor games, songs, a story, and a cup of tea or coffee, with juice for the youngsters.

The event is from 10.30am to 11.30am, and is £5 for non-RSPB member adults and £2 for members- toddlers free.

A LIVE broadcast from the Royal Shakespeare Company is to fill the giant cinema screen at Rheged, near Penrith, this Wednesday.

This performance of Love's Labour's Won (better known as Much Ado About Nothing) is set in autumn 1918, as a group of soldiers returns from the trenches. The broadcast starts promptly at 7pm, and cinema goers are asked to arrive 20 minutes before.

Bookings advisable on 01768-868000 or email enquiries@rheged.com

DENT village's Meditation Centre is the calm and tranquil setting for a silent retreat day this Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

This day of silence and reflection is offered to anyone who is already familiar with meditation, and the suggested donation is £45 (take a packed lunch).

To book a place, phone 07582-017396 or email meditationcentreteam@gmail.com