Quakers at Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston, will honour the life of early Quakerism founder George Fox with a week of free events, 400 years after his birth.

Starting on July 16, the Quakers will join others from across the world in celebrations.

Mr Fox first visited Swarthmoor Hall in 1652 during his travels across England.

His lengthy stays at the Hall led to it becoming a meeting place for early Quakers, utilising it for meeting, organising, and planning preaching missions.

Margaret Fell, who lived at the Hall with her husband and family, emerged as a leader in the early Quaker movement.

The Hall openly welcomed travelling Quakers, becoming a place of worship for the community.

The planned events for Fox Fell 400 will form a chance for people to visit the Hall, open to visitors for the first time since 2020.

The week kicks off with a Quaker communities day and unfolds into free events and themed talks.

On July 18, Wordsworth Grasmere will be conducting a workshop titled 'Rucksack of Rhymes' tailored for families with pre-school children at 11am and 1pm.

In the evening, a Quaker meeting for worship will take place at 5.30pm in the Great Hall.

A tree planting ceremony on the morning of July 20 brings the week to a close.

Anyone celebrating as part of Ulverston Pride is welcome to bring along a picnic to the hay meadow at Swarthmoor Hall and enjoy the day.

General manager of Swarthmoor Hall, John Moffat, said: "We’re really looking forward to welcoming people back into the hall and gardens after being closed for so long.

"Our recently completed building restoration project and the special George Fox anniversary is the perfect chance to show off Swarthmoor to more people across Cumbria and further afield.

"I hope lots of local people and visitors alike will join us throughout the week and experience the peace and history of this inclusive place for themselves."

George Fox was born to a weaver and his wife in a Leicestershire village in July 1624.

He travelled extensively across Britain and overseas to Barbados and North America, spreading his beliefs.

Quakers at Swarthmoor Hall and around the world have since followed his example.

These days, Quakers in Britain work for 'peace, climate and social justice'.

The Quaker community continues to promote living and working through testimonies to 'peace, simplicity, truth, integrity, and equality', following the example of George Fox and early Friends.

The Hall and gardens will be open to the public for free between July 16 and 20, between 10am and 4pm, including the café offering a variety of hot and cold drinks and cakes.

Parking is accessible on the site, and it is a 15-minute walk away from Ulverston train station.

Visit www.swarthmoorhall.co.uk/fox-and-fell-festival for more information.