THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Donald Campbell had broken both the World Land and (multiple) World Water Speed Records but died in January 1967 during another attempt on the water record, in his hydroplane Bluebird K7. The attempt was on Coniston Water, in the Lake District of north west England.
Bluebird K7 sank after the accident and was thought to have been be destroyed, but after a long campaign and much work by dedicated experts and volunteers she was recovered and rebuilt. She is now usually housed in a purpose-built wing of the local Ruskin Museum.
Now, during a week-long festival in May, speed fans can see the renovated Bluebird K7 and her predecessor Blue Bird K3 run each day on Coniston Water, subject to weather conditions.
The festival is free to attend, but the organisers, The Ruskin Museum, are requesting donations to help cover the high costs. Also, if you drive to it, there is a charge for the mandatory Park & Ride service. You can contact the Ruskin Museum via www.bluebirdk7thefestival.co.uk
The festival starts on May 11 and finishes on May 17, 2026.
A series of concerts at Bluebird K7- The Festival, previously featured in The American, has been cancelled. A statement from the organizers reads:
“It is with great regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the concerts planned for 15th-17th May at ‘Bluebird K7 – The Festival. This is due to a number of factors, including traffic management and Park and Ride provision proving to be extremely difficult to manage in the evenings. In cancelling the concerts, we are taking into account not only what we are providing to visitors but the impact on local residents. We have thought long and hard about this. A great deal of time and effort has been spent on planning the festival and choosing and booking the acts. But as time went on, it became clear that we would be unable to meet everyone’s needs. The week-long festival will continue. Concert tickets will be automatically refunded via the payment method used.”
