Bluebird K7 returns to Coniston Water on Monday 11 May for a week-long festival marking the 70th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first world water speed record on the lake. The event runs from 11 to 17 May 2026, with the jet hydroplane set to reach speeds of up to 150mph on the same stretch of water where Campbell first broke the record in 1956.
Dave Warby will pilot K7, with RAF flight instructor DJ Gibbs serving as reserve pilot later in the week when released from active duty. Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird K3 has also been confirmed for the festival, and is capable of running in conditions that would ground K7.
Bluebird K7 Festival – Key Facts Dates: 11-17 May 2026 Venue: The Boating Centre, Lake Road, Coniston, LA21 8AN Operating hours: 10am – 5pm daily Note: K7 will not be on display on Sunday 10 May Admission: Free
What You Will See
K7 will run north to south and south to north in a full two-way pass. She begins to plane at around 60-70mph and will reach a maximum of 150mph – well within the capability of an aircraft engine in what is, at its core, a boat designed to go very fast in a straight line across flat water. The organisers have been granted an exemption from the 10mph lake speed limit to allow the runs to take place.
The course starts opposite the Boating Centre, roughly in the middle of the lake, and finishes opposite the Priestley Centre. Spectators south of that point – at Sunny Bank, Brown Howe, or beyond – will not see any running. The eastern shore of the lake is closed to through traffic to maintain an emergency Blue Route, and a tow-away zone will be in force on that side.
After each run, K7 must be towed back to shore for refuelling and checks. Allow 30-40 minutes between the announcement of an imminent run and the boat hitting the water. Announcements will be made over the tannoy and on social media.
Timetable
There is no fixed daily schedule. All running is weather-dependent; the organisers aim to run every day in suitable conditions but Coniston Water can change quickly and safety takes precedence. When running is possible, the event operates between 10am and 5pm.Getting There and Parking
The event is based at The Boating Centre, Lake Road, Coniston, LA21 8AN. Three roads near the venue are closed during the festival: the C5018 on the east side of the lake (access to Brantwood and all car parks maintained); Station Road from the A593 (Old Furness Road, Walna Scar Road, and The Banks remain accessible via Sun Hill); and Lake Road from the A593 (access maintained for John Ruskin School, Lake Road Business Park, and all properties on the road). One-way restrictions apply to the C5006 eastbound and Shepherds Bridge Lane in a south-westerly direction. Signed diversions run via the A5084 (Water Yeat), A593 (Torver), Broughton Road, B5285, Yewdale Road, and Station Road. Questions about the traffic orders can be directed to the Westmorland and Furness Council Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306, quoting TTROW/17748.
Onsite parking is available in the car park adjacent to the event site at £25 per car per day, or £10 per motorbike per day. Weekly passes are available at a reduced rate. Car parks open at 9am and close at 6pm; there is no overnight parking facility.
Park and Ride has been suspended until onsite car parks reach capacity. Anyone who has already purchased a Park and Ride ticket retains their space; specific car park allocations will be confirmed closer to the event by email.
A hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service run by Bluebird Tours Coniston operates throughout the day between Coniston Village and the event site at Coniston Water. Tickets cost £10 per person and include a wristband for unlimited travel throughout the day. Wristbands must be purchased before boarding – they are available from The Ruskin Museum, 15 Yewdale Road, Coniston LA21 8DU and from the Museum stall at the event; tickets are not sold on the bus. Collection points are Bluebird Car and Coach Park on Yewdale Road and The Boating Centre, Lake Road. The service runs regularly throughout the day with a break at lunchtime and cannot accommodate prams, wheelchairs or scooters.
Public buses serve the area; check Stagecoach’s website for timetables. Taxis are limited in Coniston – if you need one after the evening talks, look to operators in Ambleside or Windermere.
Viewing Areas
The course ends opposite the Priestley Centre. Viewing from Sunny Bank, Brown Howe, or anywhere further south is not possible. The east side of the lake is restricted to residents and businesses only and a tow-away zone will be enforced.
Evening Talks
A series of evening talks will be held at The Coniston Institute across the week. On Thursday May 14, Campbell’s nephew Don Wales presents Full Steam Ahead, covering the story behind Britain’s steam-powered land-speed record challenge. There will also be interviews with K7’s pilots, talks on previous world speed record attempts, and screenings of the films How Long a Mile and Scrap Book 57. Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start, finishing at approximately 10pm. Capacity is limited and the organisers recommend booking in advance rather than expecting tickets on the door.
Tickets can be booked at bluebirdk7thefestival.co.uk/shop. An emailed order confirmation serves as your ticket; bring it on the night. Dogs are not permitted at the evening talks. The Bluebird car park (fee payable) is adjacent to the Institute. No public buses run after the talks finish.
Concerts
Concerts had been planned as part of the festival week, with Suzi Quatro, 10cc and the Bootleg Beatles all announced. They were cancelled after organisers cited difficulties in arranging traffic management and park-and-ride provisions.On the Water
A regular passenger launch will run from the Boating Centre to Brantwood during the festival; tickets will be pre-bookable. The Gondola is expected to be running – check its website for times.Noise and Dogs
K7 is powered by a jet engine. The noise is considerable and the organisers advise ear defenders for anyone sensitive to loud sounds. Dogs are permitted at the lakeside event but may find the environment difficult. They are not allowed at the evening talks.K7’s History
K7 is back at the museum following a full structural inspection and service. Her engine and systems have been refitted and she has been cleared as safe for running.
The hydroplane was recovered from the lake in 2001, along with Campbell’s body, and rebuilt by a volunteer team on Tyneside known as the Bluebird Project. She first returned to the water in 2018, running at Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute. A dispute over part-ownership, brought by Bill Smith who led the recovery and repair work, was settled in 2024. Bluebird was subsequently handed to the Ruskin Museum, where she has been on display since.
More Information
Bluebird K7 Festival – Official Information
Parking bookings and the latest updates on running schedules are available on the official festival website.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
