Anticipation is building for next month’s Platinum Jubilee, as the Queen prepares to become the first British monarch to mark 70 years on the throne – and Cumbria is set to celebrate in style.

With a bumper four-day Bank Holiday weekend between Thursday 2 and Sunday 5 June, there’s plenty to enjoy, with special events and celebrations across our county.

Carlisle Castle will get the festivities underway with a Jubilee Beacon lighting at 10pm on Thursday 2 June, followed by celebrations in Bitts Park on the Sunday. That includes a Big Jubilee lunch where people can bring their own picnic and enjoy big screen coverage of the Jubilee Pageant live from London.

Elsewhere, Whitehaven Harbour is the focus of four days of food, drink and entertainment, while Barrow is playing host to a big Community Street Party in the Town Square on 2 June to mark the occasion.

Local attractions are also getting involved. Grab those union flags and join in the Jubilee celebrations at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

Their engines will be sporting their own royal tribute headboards and there will be a few themed café treats too.

Or why not follow in the Queen’s royal footsteps, and head to some of the places Her Majesty has visited over the years?

Explore England’s longest lake as the Queen has done with Windermere Lake Cruises or head to Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum, which was re-opened by Her Majesty after a refurbishment in 2008.

Our county is also renowned for its food and drink, and this year there are some extra special Jubilee delicacies to enjoy.

For foodie treats fit for royalty, special editions of the quintessential afternoon tea are being served at hotels and eateries across the county.

The Swan at Newby Bridge, Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel, the Inn on the Lake at Ullswater and the Borrowdale Hotel near Keswick are just some of the venues offering royally-themed afternoon teas.

Meanwhile, local food and drink producers have taken the opportunity to create delicious Jubilee-themed produce.

There’s Lakeland Artisan’s limited-edition Jubilee Jam and Hawkshead Relish’s Cherries Jubilee Jam, delicious when served warm with ice cream.

With so many ways to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, visit www.visitlakedistrict.com/whats-on to find your inspiration.