THE wonderful and diverse Apple Horse Fair is back for its annual event. It is regarded as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe, where around 10,000 gypsies and travellers meet to catch-up, re-connect with family and friends and buy and sell the horses. The festival starts on Thursday (June 8) until Wednesday (June 14), though the most popular and busiest days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday when there is more to see including the ritual of washing of the horses in the River Eden and then trotted up and down Flashing Lane, showcasing the horse. This is not an organised event but there’s always something interesting to watch and enjoy. This unique event attracts around 30,000 visitors so congestion on roads approaching Appleby is immense.

Details: www.applebyfair.org.

IF YOU enjoy all things biographical then join award-winning actor Rhodri Miles (Game of Thrones, Atlantis) as he vividly presents the life of the great Welsh actor Richard Burton in his own words, from humble beginnings to Hollywood mega-stardom. Burton surrounded himself with beautiful women (not least Liz Taylor), drink was his only real antidote to his deteriorating health and mental state, his doomed tempestuous relationship with Taylor and his constant guilt over the abandonment of his family. On stage tomorrow (June 9, 8pm), at The Brewery, Kendal.

Box office 01539-725133.

Tickets: Standard £14; under 16s £13.

THE world-class sporting event that is the Keswick Mountain Festival takes place from today (Thursday) to Sunday (June 11). Expect a fantastic mix of outdoor sports including open water swimming, runs and climbs, there's more than 250 activities such as family hikes and kids sports, inspirational speakers by top athletes and local heroes and live music featuring KT Tunstall, Cast, The Christians and festival favourites Peatbog Faeries. Feel like having a go, then swing by the Festival Village at Crow Park, on the banks of Derwentwater, and enjoy the outdoors.

For tickets and programme www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk.

Tickets vary in price.

THE smash-hit stage show Where Is Peter Rabbit? returns to the Old Laundry Theatre this summer to delight and enchant audiences. If you didn't know already, the play is inspired by the world-famous stories created by Beatrix Potter and include her favourite characters, from Peter Rabbit himself and Jemima Puddleduck to villainous badger Tommy Brock and Mr Tod the fox. This unique and visual theatrical spectacular is not to be missed so booking is very much advised to avoid disappointment. You can see Peter and friends on stage from Saturday (June 10) until September 3, at The World of Beatrix Potter's theatre in Bowness-in-Windermere.

Where Is Peter Rabbit? is showing up to three times per day.

Ticket packages available which includes breakfast or afternoon tea with Peter Rabbit.

Go to www.hop-skip-jump.com to book tickets.

Tickets - Adult £10; child £8; family £33 (2 adults, 2 children). Not recommended for under 3s.

BOOT Beer Festival is an event for all the family to enjoy. You can of course arrive by car, but the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is much more fun to make the seven mile journey on board La’al Ratty Railway. There’s a working watermill for non-drinkers and kids, though Boot Inn, Woolpack Inn and Brook House are just brimming with beers and ales for avid brown-liquid drinkers. The beer festival takes place from today (Thursday) to Sunday (June 8-11).

Details at www.bootbeer.co.uk.

EUROPE’S biggest open water swimming event, The Great North SwimRun, takes place on Saturday (June 10). The introduction of the inaugural Great SwimRun event to the Lake District and Cumbria offers more challenges for entrants from beginners to experienced competitors. Distances include short, 10 kilometres, mid, 21.3k and very testing 36.5k. The course, which must be completed in pairs, and is based on teamwork, passion and endurance, and each team of two journey across the landscape, taking on land and water with a mix of short runs and swims while carrying everything that is needed from start to finish.

Go to www.greatrun.org/great-swim.

Entries Short £150; Mid £250; Endurance £300.