Logo: Music in the WoodMusic in the Wood is a series of music events held in Lucy’s Barn, set in the middle of Lucy’s Wood, 1200’ high up in the Lakeland fells with stunning views. It gives us the opportunity to hear world class music in an utterly magical environment surrounded by nature and beauty.
Welcome
Welcome to Music in the Wood. We organise music events in a special barn on the fells near Ullswater.
All proceeds go to CRUSE Bereavement Care Cumbria.
Upcoming events
Li Lu
Sat 18 May 2019
Li Lu will be playing the Bach cello suites.
"My hope is to run, dance and fly to the sound of my cello…” The epitome of international, cool, young and elegant, Li Lu plays with a passion that takes flight both sonically and visually” – Sky Arts.
As a soloist and Chamber musician, Li Lu has a considerable number of performance experiences across Asia and Europe. Highlight of her performance appearances included at the Edinburg International Festival in UK, the Singapore International Music Festival, the Beijing International Modern Music Festival and the Kronburg International Cello Festival in Germany. Most recent successes include her new recording work: In Love with Bach – the complete Bach cello suites, and live performance on the BBC Radio 4 presented by Sandi Toksvig. In 2010, she went on an artistic challenge, spending 35 days traveling across Europe from Athens to Edinburgh, surviving purely on her musical talent. As the winner, she was recently profiled in a Sky Arts documentary ‘Art of Survival‘.
In 2012, Li Lu has just been awarded a research and development grant by the Arts Council England, alongside the leading architect, theatre and opera designer Pippa Nissen, visual artist and costume designer Caroline Collinge. The grant is to develop Li Lu’s new and original theatrical interpretation of the Bach Cello Suites. Li Lu is the Winner of the Sky Arts TV programme Art of Survival (2010) and BBC Performing Arts Fund (2007). She also received the RNCM Entrance Award and the Irish Arts Council Professional Development Training Award(2006) during her study at RNCM.
Fain
Sat 25 May 2019 7pm
In the fifteen years they have been appearing together as Fain, Anne-Marie Kerr (vocals, keyboard, whistles) and Ian Wright (vocals, violin) have entranced and entertained audiences around Cumbria and beyond with their distinctive sound and repertoire, centring on the lyrical clarity of Anne-Marie’s voice and beautiful tone of Ian’s violin. Combining Anne-Marie’s folk background and Ian’s classical training, they write their own arrangements of songs, dance-tunes, laments and airs, old and new, from Ireland, Scotland, Cumbria and France.
The Renames
Sat 15 June 2019 7pm
We are delighted to welcome back the Renames. A full Barn rocked to their own compositions and covers, not to be missed!
Tales of Love & Ending
Kenneth Wilson - The Poetical Cellist
Sat 22 June 2019 7pm
Poet and cellist Kenneth Wilson presents a moving and absorbing solo show telling a story of Love through poetry and music.
Love enthrals and confuses us all. From the first heady moments of falling into it, through a rollercoaster of better and worse, to an array of possible endings – sad, violent or just inevitable – the poetical cellist is an inspired guide.
The show is based on Kenneth Wilson’s recently published collection, The Definitions of Kitchen Verbs, poems which range from the profound and shattering to the wistful and comical.
As well as a poet, Kenneth is an accomplished cellist. To illuminate the poetry, he performs a variety of airs and ballads, and Bach, which accompany and illustrate the story.
“You will laugh. You will cry. You will love better, before it ends. And you will definitely want to take up the cello!”
The Venue
Lucy’s Barn is an absolutely unique location for these concerts, set in the middle of Lucy’s Wood, 1200’ high up in the Lakeland fells with stunning uninterrupted views over towards High Street, Place fell and Gowbarrow.
It gives us the opportunity to hear world class music in an utterly magical environment surrounded by nature and beauty. Come rain or shine you will find Lucy’s Barn an awe inspiring venue to hear and see artists in an intimate venue.
Admission
Our concerts are normally free. However we do ask that you generously support (suggested minimum of £10 ) our very worthwhile charity to reflect the quality of our musicians who give their time freely to entertain us.
All money raised is given to Cruse Bereavement Care Cumbria. It constantly needs funds to continue its invaluable work of offering support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
We normally have a bar available open an hour before the events offering wines, beers and soft drinks.
Eating Out and Staying over
Set above the picture perfect Ullswater valley, Music in the Wood is surrounded by an abundance of great places to eat and lovely places to sleep. From Michelin-starred award-winning hotels and restaurants to idyllic camping barns, Ullswater has something for all pockets and tastes.
For further ideas and inspiration try one of these websites or ask us for help:
Previous events
Here are a few events we have organised recently.
Redwood River Band
With roots that stem from England’s opposite ends, the Yorkshire formed trio swiftly evolved as their paths entwined in the summer of 2017.
From a first song born on a river bank and filmed in a working forge, their sound is the innocent wild environment of its own creation.
Simon Robinson on banjo, Alice Phelps on double bass, Naomi Jane on guitar and 3 part harmonies weaving it...
Twelfth Day
In the wordless communication that passes between Orcadian fiddler Catriona Price and Peebles harpist Esther Swift as they perform, the strength of their decade-long musical partnership, friendship and shared humour is evident. It’s this depth of connection, and tangible desire to have fun, that gives Twelfth Day its extra edge.
In their own words, this is not so much a duo, but a two...
The Renames
Soft and country rock favourites plus a few of our own songs thrown in.
Sheelanagig
Sheelanagig for over a decade have brought their array of foot-stomping folk tunes to audiences across the globe. A quintet with a well-stocked armoury of stringed instruments – guitar, fiddle, double bass – added with the rhythmic energy of flute and drums and a bagful of joint-jumping tunes, these boys from the South-West England create a real dynamic which is inherent in both their furious...
Joanna Wallfisch
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Joanna plays soprano and baritone ukulele, piano and using a loop pedal she creates beguiling choral vocal soundscapes around her songs. British born, New York based vocalist and composer, Joanna has toured extensively throughout Europe, USA and Australia.
Influences include - in no particular order! - Nina Simone, Laura Mvula, Emily King,...
Greg Wilson
Working at the famous Riverside Club in Newcastle Greg got to see hundreds of artists & bands ranging from the then not so famous Happy Mondays to big names like Mick Jones (The Clash).
"This was an amazing time in my life - I used to stand and watch as many musicians as possible whilst pretending to collect beer glasses.
"I learned how to play guitar by watching how they did...
Nick Hennessey
Nick Hennessey is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, playwright, folk singer, song writer and musician. He has told stories for more than 20 years, performing at venues such as the Southbank Centre and the Royal Albert Hall. He is particularly drawn to North European cultural traditions and has been awarded high honours in Finland for his work on their National Epic, Kalevala. He is a...
Herdus
Herdus is a funky, folky duo featuring Ryan Wood on fiddle and Steve Wharton on guitar, ukulele, Chinese banjo and harmonicas. We play a balanced mix of folk tunes, original songs and covers, often blending one into the other. When the occasion calls we can also adapt our set (Cumbrian material, Irish songs and festive tunes).
Location
Music in the Wood is exactly halfway between Keswick and Penrith with easy access to Ullswater (5 mins), Patterdale (10 mins) and Keswick (15 mins).
Lucy’s Barn is on the side of the fell so it is advisable to wear walking boots or wellies, dress warmly, bring a brolly if rain is forecast and don't forget A TORCH!
Accessibility
Lucy's Barn: there is a path all the way to the Barn down a gentle slope through the wood. Unfortunately it is not possible to get a wheelchair to the Barn.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us and we'll do our best to help. 07787-140618
Directions to Lucy’s Wood and the Barn:
- OS Grid Ref: 384217
- Postcode: CA11 0LG
- From the Penrith M6 roundabout - take the A66 towards Keswick:
- After approximately eight miles look out for sign to A5091 Ullswater/Dockray/Troutbeck and turn Left.
- Follow road for approximately two miles as it rises up a hill, just over the brow of hill.
- Turn right, signposted 'Dowthwaitehead'. This is a single-track road with a coniferous wood on the right.
- Follow for approximately two miles and come to a turning to the left signposted 'Dockray'.
- Park on the right in the Old Coach Road car park. It’s a 5-8 minute walk to the Barn from here.
- Follow signs to Lucy’s Wood down the road for 100 metres towards Dockray.
- Turn right into field leading into the wood. Take care *health & safety warning* you are on the fell - it could be slippery, rocky & boggy!
- Signposted all the way to the Barn.
- Or ... from Dockray:
- Take the small single track road up the hill immediately past the Royal Hotel.
- After 1 mile there is a “T” Jctn, Park here at the Old Coach Rd car park and follow signs.