Bluebird K7, Donald Campbell’s legendary hydroplane, has been granted permission by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to run on Coniston Water in May 2026.
The boat will be on the water between 11 – 17 May for ‘Bluebird K7 – The Festival’. It will be the first time the hydroplane has been on Coniston Water since its tragic crash on 4 January, 1967, which killed Donald Campbell as he attempted to beat his own World Water Speed record of 276.33mph.
Gina Campbell, QSO, the daughter of Donald Campbell, said: “My father would be delighted and pleased that the exemption has been approved, and I know that the Ruskin Museum and the people of Coniston will get behind it. I have no doubt that Bluebird K7 will lift up her skirts and perform for the public. I send everyone good wishes, and I am sure that the festival in May will be a great event.”
Tracy Hodgson, Director of the Ruskin Museum, which houses Bluebird K7, said: “We are delighted that the bylaw exemption has been approved by the LDNPA, this will now allow us to run Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water in May 2026. We would like to thank everyone for their support and we look forward to putting on an unforgettable event next year.”
2026 will be the 70th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first World Water Speed Record on Coniston Water, which took place on 19 September 1956, where he reached a speed of 225.63mph.
Jeff Carroll, Chair of the Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum said: “We worked hard to put together a well-reasoned and well thought out application for the exemption to the speed limit on Coniston Water to run Bluebird next year, and it is fantastic that the LDNPA have agreed to it. Now it is full speed ahead to make ‘Bluebird K7 – The Festival’ a week to remember. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the pioneering work of Donald Campbell CBE, his team and the Norris brothers, to keep their legacy alive and of course to acknowledge the work of the volunteers who rebuilt her.”
Australian Dave Warby, son of Water Speed World Record holder, Ken Warby MBE, and a current World Water Speed challenger in his hydroplane Spirit of Australia II will be piloting Bluebird K7 in May.
Dave Warby said: “The 10mph speed restriction being lifted is a positive outcome for both the Ruskin Museum and Coniston. I am really looking forward to working with the Museum in the coming months to prepare Bluebird K7 for her return to Coniston Water next year.”
