Cutting edge entertainment

Someone’s taking their trunks to the Lakes Aquarium this May half-term – and it’s not for a swim! Chainsaw woodcarving maestro, Symon Willan, of Cumbrian Carvings, will be providing cutting edge entertainment at the Lake District attraction, on Wednesday, May 28, wowing crowds with his fast-moving, dramatic chainsaw artistry, as part of the attraction’s week-long Festival of Trees event.

Symon will be transforming fallen tree trunks into a variety of creatures, drawing some inspiration from the Aquarium’s new, £100,000 Virtual Dive Bell.

The Dive Bell brings visitors face to face with angry hippos, menacing crocs and hungry sharks, at the bottom of an African lake, through virtual and immersive technology. Educational and fun, interactive quizzes and games complement this incredible journey and the main chainsaw sculpture will pick up a theme used in one of these. Exactly which one is a closely guarded secret.

The whirring of the chainsaws and the pungent smell of sawdust will certainly keep visitors mesmerised, as Symon transforms the deadwood before their very eyes. Shows will take place at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm but that’s not the only reason to make a beeline for Lakeside, on Windermere’s southern shore. There's lots going on throughout the Festival of Trees, with each day offering a tremendous, jam-packed schedule of fun.

Also, on Wednesday, May 28, visitors can encounter a stilt-walking tree - not an everyday occurrence, but seeing how visitors react to this should be heaps of fun. May 27 and May 28 will also offer the opportunity to learn how to weave fish out of willow, in special willow working workshops.

Ever popular face-painting will be offered on Monday May 26 and Sunday June 1, whilst on Thursday, May 29 and Friday May 30, the Lakes Aquarium will help visitors learn more about the plight of red squirrels. Learning more about wildlife will also be possible on Saturday May 31, when owls will be at the attraction between 10am and 4pm.

A celebration of the Lakes Aquarium’s new rainforest zone will take the form of ‘Make a Tree Frog’ craft sessions, scheduled throughout the Whitsun holidays (11am-4pm, Monday, May 26 - Sunday, June 1). Special talks take place each day at 2pm and will provide visitors with a chance to discover more about forest-dwelling creatures from around the world.

A Trees of the World quiz trail is another daily treat and there's a prize of a forest creatures goodie bag up for grabs!

All of this action-packed programme is offered within the standard admission charge. Adult tickets cost £8.50, children’s £5.50 and concessions £7.00. Under 3s enter free and family tickets are priced from £20.

The attraction is open from 9am-6pm with last admission one hour before closing. Visitors are encouraged to check the events listing at Lakesaquarium.co.uk before choosing their day to visit.

As well as the Festival of Trees, the usual favourites will all be available, including otter feeding sessions, the magnificent underwater tunnel with its diving ducks and displays featuring creatures as intriguing as seahorses and as dangerous as piranhas. Visitors will also see the world’s smallest monkeys – pygmy marmosets – and a baby version of the world’s largest spider!