Rhythm and Blues in Cumbria

Those who aren’t fans of R&B should definitely avoid Maryport on 24- 26 July as this is when the Cumbrian seaside resort will be rocking to its 11th annual Blues Festival with more than 40 bands and 150 musicians performing in the main marquee, pubs and clubs or on an outdoor stage on the street.

The legendary British rock band, Jethro Tull, will headline Friday night while singer-songwriter and British blues virtuoso, John Mayall, will top the bill on Saturday and double Grammy award-winning bluesman, Taj Mahal, will be strutting his stuff on the main stage on Sunday.

All will be ably-supported by the Blues Band with Paul Jones – ex-frontman of the chart topping Manfred Mann in the 60s – and R&B diva, Jamaican-born Ruby Turner, plus a host of others. See maryportblues.co.uk/ for details and tickets.

Meanwhile, those that don’t want to miss out on any of the fun should check out Netherview Lodge – new to Cumbrian Cottages’ portfolio – a two-bedroom property, sleeping four, in the coastal village of Crosby, just two miles from Maryport.

Available for seven nights from either 18-25 July or 25 July-1 August for a cost of £470.

Or for a couple, one-bedroom Galloway Cottage – in the same village – was previously a clog maker’s workshop dating back to the 1720s and is available for the same dates for just £420 for seven nights.

Finally, just three miles from all the Maryport action, is Row Moor Farm and three-bedroom/three-bathroom Barn Cottage. Sleeping up to seven, it costs £620 for a week from 25 July.

For more information, visit Cumbrian-cottages.co.uk.