Bluebird K7 set to return to Coniston Water in 2026 to mark 70th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s record
Plans to run the legendary hydroplane depend on approval of a speed exemption application by the Lake District National Park Authority
Bluebird K7, the legendary hydroplane driven by Donald Campbell, is set to make a historic return to Coniston Water in 2026 - marking 70 years since Campbell’s first World Water Speed Record on the lake.
The Ruskin Museum, which is home to Bluebird K7, has applied to the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) for a speed exemption that would allow the vessel to run between 10th and 17th May 2026.
Tracy Hodgson, Director of the Ruskin Museum, said: “We have applied to LDNPA for the speed exemption to run K7 on Coniston Water, and the dates we have asked for are 10-17th May 2026. We do need to stress that until LDNPA authorise these dates nothing is confirmed.”
She explained the timing of the plans, adding: “2026 will be the 70th anniversary of Donald Campbell's first World Water Speed Record on Coniston Water. He achieved this record on 19th September 1956 with a speed of 225.63mph, and we have chosen 2026 to put K7 back on Coniston Water to commemorate his first Coniston Record.”
Hodgson noted that calm conditions were key to the decision to choose May over September: “For those wondering why we haven't asked for September dates, K7 needs fairly calm water to be able to run. LDNPA have quite rightly said that we can't run in summer holidays and bank holidays, as Coniston Water has a public right of navigation and during those summer and bank holidays it will be too busy.”
She added: “The reason we chose May was because hopefully this will give us the best weather window to run. There is no guarantee that K7 will be able to run every day of the planned dates as running K7 is very weather dependent, and safety will always be our number one priority, but we hope that by doing it over 7 days we should get a good bit of weather.”
The return of Bluebird K7 will serve as proving trials, marking her first appearance on Coniston Water in 59 years. Hodgson said: “This is her first time on Coniston Water in 59 years, and we have new pilots and new crew who need to get used to her.”
In addition to the runs, land-based events are planned around the lakeside and in Coniston village, including music events over the final weekend.
“Everything is still in the early planning stages, so we don't have anything concrete to report as yet, but once we do there will be a dedicated website set up for the event,” Hodgson confirmed.