Bluebird at Coniston: A guide to the record-breaker's return
Getty ImagesThousands of people are expected to visit Coniston in the Lake District over the next week as Donald Campbell's restored Bluebird makes a return to the water there for the first time since the crash that killed its pilot almost 60 years ago.
Campbell, who had set a total of eight world speed records on land and water in the 1950s and 60s, had been trying to break 300mph (480km/h) on 4 January 1967 when the craft somersaulted and sank.
The wreckage and Campbell's body were recovered from the lake in 2001, with the hydroplane rebuilt on Tyneside by a team of volunteers known as the Bluebird Project.
It then made its return to running in 2018 at Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute.
However, a row followed as Bill Smith, who led the recovery and repair work, claimed part-ownership.
That dispute was settled in 2024 and Bluebird was handed to Coniston's Ruskin Museum where it has since been on display.
What will be happening and when?
Bluebird K7 The Festival will run from Monday 11 to Sunday 17 May and, weather permitting, the craft will run each day between 10:00 and 17:00 BST.
The course begins in the middle of the lake, by the Boating Centre on Lake Road, and finishes opposite the Priestley Centre.
There will be a public viewing area at the Boating Centre but the craft will not be visible at Sunny Bank, Brown Howe or anywhere further south.
When a run is going to be made, organisers say an announcement will be made over the public address system as well as on social media.
They estimate it will then take 30 to 40 minutes to tow Bluebird to the starting pontoon and fire up its engine.
A northbound run will be made to the Priestley Centre followed by a return to the starting point.
Bluebird will then be brought back to shore, checked and refuelled.
Tom Buist/Mirrorpix/Getty ImagesHow fast will it go?
There will be no attempt to match the speeds achieved by Campbell, who set four of his water speed records on the lake - the fastest being 260.35mph (418km/h) in May 1959.
For safety reasons, museum chiefs say Bluebird could reach about 150mph (240km/h).
It will be piloted by Australian Dave Warby who is himself a world water speed record challenger and the son of current world water speed record holder, the late Ken Warby MBE.
Where can people park?
On-site parking will be in a field near the Boating Centre with tickets available through the festival's website.
Parking will open at 09:00 BST each day and close at 18:00. Overnight stays are not permitted.
There will be a £25 charge each day for cars and £10 for motorbikes.
Weekly passes are also available.
A planned park-and-ride scheme has been put on hold and will only be opened if on-site parking sells out.
Will any roads be closed?
Organisers say "no-one will be banned from driving into the village".
However, management plans will be in place with the aim of ensuring "traffic flows smoothly".
Lake Road from the A593 will be shut with access allowed for John Ruskin School, Lake Road Business Park and all properties.
There will also be access for people who have paid for parking through the Ruskin Museum.
Public buses will be running to their normal timetable.
The east side of the lake will be closed to vehicles with access allowed for residents and businesses and to maintain a route around the water for emergency services.
A tow-away zone will be enforced there.
Station Road from the A593 will be shut with access to Old Furness Road, Walna Scar Road and The Banks being via Sun Hill.
Additionally, some one-way restrictions will be in place with the C5006 being eastbound only, and Shepherds Bridge Lane south-westerly only.
What else do I need to know?
Blue Bird K3, which set three world water speed records when it was piloted by Campbell's father, Sir Malcolm, will also be running.
Anyone attending who is sensitive to loud noise is advised to wear ear defenders and organisers warn it may not be the best place for dogs.
Coniston Institute will stage talks with Warby, Donald's nephew Don Wales, and Neil Sheppard and Dr Keith Mitchell, authors of Donald Campbell, Bluebird and the Final Record Attempt, with tickets details on the festival's website.
Concerts had also been planned featuring Suzi Quatro, 10cc and the Bootleg Beatles, but were cancelled with organisers citing difficulty organising traffic management and park-and-ride provisions.
