Kim Brough
04 October 2022
Keswick is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District, and it’s easy to see why so many people choose this town as their favourite holiday destination.
On the edge of Derwentwater, Keswick sits in the heart of a truly breathtaking landscape with lush green fields and woodland at the lower levels and a great panorama of mountains surrounding you in all directions. You can sign yourself up for a wide range of outdoor activities or appreciate some of the town's many indoor attractions.
To enjoy your visit to the fullest, ensure you find your perfect Keswick accommodation from our gorgeous selection of cottages.
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Explore Derwentwater from Keswick
One of Keswick’s biggest draws is its fabulous position near Derwentwater. The Keswick Launch regularly cruises the lake, allowing you to either do a full lap or stop off at the various jetties and explore further afield. Alternatively, boat hire is available, with the option to take out kayaks, canoes, rowing boats and paddleboards.
If you like to dive right in, you’ll be glad to know that the lake is a popular wild swimming location. Or you may just prefer to stay on solid ground with a walk around the shores or have a relaxing picnic on one of the pebble beaches.
Highlights
- Catch a Keswick Launch across Derwentwater to visit the Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden for a wander around the glorious estate and a sumptuous afternoon tea
- Visit Nichol End Marine on the western edge of Derwentwater and hire a paddleboard or canoe for two
- Take a Keswick Launch to Ashness Gate and visit Ashness Bridge, a much-photographed packhorse bridge where you can enjoy stunning views across the water
Theatre By the Lake
Keswick’s prestigious Theatre By The Lake offers a great range of plays and performances through the year. The full programme of events can be found online, so you can book your tickets in advance or can simply pop in and see what’s available on the day. For the season's main productions, an incredibly talented and versatile cast of in-house actors will play out all of the characters in an eclectic selection of plays.
This wonderful theatre famously started out as the humble ‘Blue Box’ mobile theatre, taking shows to theatre-starved towns in post-war Britain before finally becoming a permanent feature in Keswick and eventually being replaced by the theatre building that exists now. The Lakeside Café Restaurant next door offers great views out over Derwentwater
Highlights
- As well as the main stage, there is a studio space for smaller and more intimate performances where you can see up-and-coming performers and be close to the action
- Enjoy a bite to eat and a drink at The Lakeside Café Restaurant which is next door to the theatre and offers great views out over Derwentwater
- There are various gallery spaces within Theatre on the Lake which are free to look around and house a variety of exhibitions throughout the year
Whinlatter Forest
Around 5 miles from Keswick you’ll find Whinlatter Forest with around 3000 acres of shady woodland covering the side of a mountain and reaching right down to Bassenthwaite Lake. It’s England’s only true mountain forest and there are a whole host of outdoor activities for kids, adults and four-legged friends to get up to amongst the ancient trees. This mountainside pine forest has a maze of different walking trails, including a 600 metre-long activity trail, a Gruffalo Walk and an orienteering course.
Bike hire is available for those wanting to cycle through Whinlatter Forest with trails ranging from gentle to exhilarating. The red trail is the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District and is perfect for riders who really want to test their mettle while enjoying stunning views over Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake.
Highlights
- Whinlatter Forest is home to a large population of native red squirrels and you can regularly spot them up in the trees while walking one of the scenic forest trails
- Take part in a Treetop Adventure with Go Ape! to swing, climb and scramble amongst the trees, the high rope course end with a thrilling zip wire through the forest
- The Visitor Centre at Whinlatter Forest has information, exhibitions, a dog-friendly cafe and a webcam showing live images of the ospreys that live in nests at nearby Bassenthwaite Lake
Kong Adventure
Kong Adventure is a great indoor adventure facility boasting a climbing wall, clip-and-climb, an indoor caving system, escape room and a soft play area for young children. For those who have never climbed before, you can book an instructor, who will teach you how to tie in and how to belay your climbing partner - techniques that you can use at other climbing walls around the country.
Children can be booked onto group climbing sessions, allowing the parents some time to relax or spectate. This is a really fun space that offers something for everyone in one location.
Highlights
- The Kong Escape Room where you can work together with friends and family to solve a range of puzzles against the clock
- There’s an on-site café for some well-earned refreshments after your climbing exertions
- Trying some outdoor activities around Keswick; Kong Adventures also offer guided walks, climbing sessions in the surrounding fells and ghyll scrambling with qualified instructors
Derwent Pencil Museum
If you are looking for something unusual to do in Keswick. Derwent Pencil Museum is a fun and interactive way to learn about the fascinating history of Keswick’s graphite mining industry. Graphite was once an extremely valuable commodity, originally taken by the military for cannonballs and rifle shots, as well as being used on a large scale as an industrial lubricant, and later on for making pencils.
After entering the museum through a replica of a graphite mine, you will learn all about how the pencils are made. You’ll also discover the fantastic story of maps being hidden in the pencils during World War II and the history of mining in the area through a series of interesting exhibits.
Highlights
- The museum contains one of the largest pencils in the world, at nearly 8 metres long, as well as miniature pencil sculptures and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee pencil
- Children can practice their drawing skills at the craft table and there are often art workshops on offer
- You’ll get a quiz on entry with a free pencil to complete it as you make your way around the Derwent Pencil Museum
The Maker’s Mill
The Maker’s Mill is an art gallery and open studio space located in the old industrial heart of Keswick. Visitors can pop by and observe the artists at work, who specialise in skills such as furniture making, ceramics, mosaics, textiles and silver jewellery.
There is a gallery space and shop selling a beautiful range of original pieces, handcrafted by artisans residing throughout Cumbria. You can purchase anything from wooden furniture to knitted hats, handbags, cushions, jewellery and much more. For those that like to get creative, there are a wide range of courses running every weekend throughout the year, including stone carving, basket weaving and painting, so why not come along and get involved?
Highlights
- There are 4 professional workshops at The Maker’s Mill with viewing windows so you can see items such as handmade furniture and beautiful handbags getting made
- The former 19th-century mill has a lovely location on the banks of the River Greta in Keswick, looking out over Fitz Park
- There’s a regular ‘Artist in Residence’ at The Maker’s Mill who changes throughout the year and has their work highlighted on the main wall on the gallery, it’s a great chance to discover upcoming talent
Hope Park
A visit to the dog-friendly Hope Park should be at the top of your list. Take a walk around the lovely gardens at where you’ll find colourful borders, well-manicured lawns, archways of trees and benches where you can sit and relax together. You’ll be following in the footsteps of Max, Paddy and Harry, a trio of spaniels whose walks around Hope Park are live streamed to people around the world.
As well as walking the pretty gardens there is also a woodland wildlife trail where red squirrels, deer, frogs and pheasants are regularly spotted. After your walk through the woodland and gardens, call for refreshments at the dog-friendly café. There is a special menu for canine companions so they can enjoy some doggy ice cream while you sit down to coffee and cake.
Highlights
- Head to the small lake at Hope Park to hire one of their remote-controlled boats which are named after local mountains and designed to look like a miniature Keswick Launch
- Play a round of crazy golf with the kids or challenge yourself a little bit more on the 9-hole pitch and putt course; there’s also an 18-hole putting green where you can hone your golfing skills
- There are several areas in the park with picnic tables if you fancy bringing along your own refreshments instead of heading to the café
The Puzzling Place
The Puzzling Place exhibits a wide range of weird and wonderful optical illusions, holograms, funny mirrors and fun puzzles. A visit generally takes about 30 minutes to make your way around the circuit of illusions. Make sure you bring your camera with you, as many of the optical illusions transfer really well to a photograph and it’s a fun memory to reflect back on when you get home.
The Puzzling Place is a great rainy-day activity for families and it’s dog-friendly too so four-legged friends can join you in this fun Keswick attraction. There is a great souvenir shop with a fantastic range of toys and puzzles. (For those with children, there is a good toy shop next door, too).
Highlights
- The ‘anti-gravity room’ seems to defy logic with balls rolling uphill and water flowing out at impossible angles, so you’ll step out feeling a little out of kilter
- The Ames Room creates the illusion of people growing and shrinking as they move through the space – children will love getting magically taller so they can tower over their parents
- Discover classic optical illusions such as the anti-gravity drip and a perspective chair in the Eyelusion Exhibition which contains more than 50 different items
Keswick walks
With a spot on the edge of Derwentwater and surrounded by high fell and mountains, Keswick is a great choice for a holiday with plenty of scenic walks. There is no shortage of Keswick pubs to call in before, during and after your walk and several of Alfred Wainwright’s trails to tackle if you are looking for a challenge.
Catbells loop
Catbells was one of Wainwright’s favourite fells to climb because of the stunning views over Derwentwater from the top. One of the most popular ways to climb up Catbells is from the Hawes End Jetty which you can reach by taking one of the regular launch boats from Keswick. The 3.5-mile circular walk is a great option for families with children who are looking to bag their first Wainwright.
Good to know
- Starting point: Hawes End Jetty, Keswick CA12 5UB
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Castlerigg Stone Circle
If you fancy discovering some of Keswick’s ancient history on a scenic walk, head to Castlerigg Stone Circle which lies on a natural plateau high above the town. The walk takes you along a disused railway line to the stones where you can enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding fells. We recommend arriving at the 38 freestanding stones for sunrise or sunset for a magical experience before heading back to Keswick through Spring Wood
Good to know
- Starting point: Market Square, Keswick CA12 5BJ
- Distance: 4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Derwentwater Circular
Take the waymarked 10-mile trail that plots a course around Derwentwater with plenty of places to rest and stop for a picnic. It’s a lovely way to spend the day during a getaway to Keswick with flat paths that are suitable for all. The walk passes through ancient woodland and passes by viewpoints such as Friar’s Crag where you can take a seat on the wooden bench and look at over the water. If 10 miles feels like too much to tackle you can just do a smaller chunk of the waymarked trail and catch a boat back to Keswick from one of the various landing stages such as High Brandelhow where you’ll find National Trust woodland.
Good to know
- Starting point: Lakeshore, Keswick CA12 5DJ
- Distance: 10 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Places to eat in and around Keswick
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat in Keswick. From dog-friendly pubs where you’ll find hearty home-cooked classics and locally brewed beer to cakes and lunchtime snacks at a coffee shop or café, there are plenty of options here. There are far too many places to mention here but we have picked out some of our favourites to try next time you are in town
Marienda is a dog-friendly cafe that has some great options for brunch with eggs served perfectly poached, scrambled or fried. If you fancy a burger, head to The Round where you’ll find 10 different varieties on the menu with fun names such as Skiddaw Spartan and Pike O’Pickle. For dinner and drinks, The Square Orange (or The Squorange as it’s known to locals) is a cosy bar with live music, cocktails, tapas and pizzas.
Dogs will find plenty of four-legged friends at The Dog & Gun, a perennially popular Keswick pub that serves everything from scampi and chips to a house special Hungarian Goulash that has been on the menu for more than 60 years.
Our favourites
- Marienda, 10 Main Street, Keswick CA12 5JD
- The Round, 21 Main St, Keswick CA12 5BL
- The Square Orange, 20 St John's Street, Keswick CA12 5AS
- The Dog & Gun, 2 Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5BT
Getting to Keswick
By car
Keswick is conveniently located just off the A66. Most visitors will arrive at Penrith either via the A66 or the M6. Drive along the A66 west from the town and simply follow the signs to Keswick. The roads are good and the signage easy to follow.
By public transport
There is a mainline train station in Penrith. From here, you can catch the X5 bus directly to Keswick. Alternatively, travel to Workington on the west coast and catch the same bus, which also travels via Cockermouth.
Buses also travel between Keswick, Windermere and Kendal on the 555 and between Keswick and Carlisle on the 554.
If you want to try something a little different while you’re staying in Keswick, you can get around by boat. The Keswick Launch runs a regular service across Derwentwater, allowing you to easily visit locations such as Borrowdale, Portinscale, and the Lingholm Estate.
Map of things to do in Keswick
Find the best things to do in Keswick with this handy map:
Self-catering cottages in the Lake District
After taking on one or more of these activities, whether indoors or outdoors, you will no doubt need a place to rest your head before choosing which one to try next. Luckily, we have an excellent collection of Keswick self-catering cottages. Browse our range of holiday homes in and around Keswick to find your perfect base
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.