Things To Do
Keswick North Lakes
Keswick & Surrounding Fells
Indoors, Up High, Down Low, Wet or Dry….
…there are loads of things to do in and around Keswick and the surrounding fellls, valleys, lakes, towns and villages. Below are just a selection of our favourites in the North Lakes….
Walk up Latrigg.
It’s close, it has great views, you can drive halfway up, and most days our mate Shelley is up there with her coffee van “bean on the fells” to help you on your way with her great brews and homemade cakes!
Walk up Catbells.
A bit more of a hike this one – walk, take the launch (we sell tickets) or the 77 bus to Hawse end, and walk up one of the most popular routes in the area, giving you spectacular views over Derwentwater, down Borrowdale, across to Skiddaw and Blencathra.
Skiddaw.
That’s “Skidder” in the local vernacular – third highest in England behind Scafell and Helvellyn – you can’t miss it, it dominates the skyline to the north. It’s a good day’s walk up and back, but on a clear day the views are oustanding – back down over the lakes, North to the Scottish Hills, and West out to Snaefell on the Isle of Man. Sadly no cafe at the top, and go well prepared, the path might look broad but its easy to get lost in the mist!!
Take a Launch ride.
Dougie’s family have been running the Derwentwater launch for generations, and it’s a bit of a must-do while in Keswick. We sell tickets here, and you can get on and off at a range of stops – just make sure you check which ones are operating if the water is very high or low!
Row your own boat
If you fancy taking yourself around the lake – you can hire rowing and powered boats from the launch landings, or if you’re a little more intrepid, our 3 marinas – Derwentwater, Nicholl End and Plattyplus will rent you a range of craft – dinghies, canoes, sailing boats, SUP etc, with tuition if required
Take a DIp
Derwentwater is pretty safe for wild swimming – in fact the greatest danger is the boat traffic at the town end of the lake. Still, lots of people still go swimming from that end. It’s much more pleasant from the other end – try parking up at Kettlewell car park, or going in from low Brandlehow. Even better, drive up to a tarn like Watendlath and get in on your own! Wetsuits and a brightly coloured float are advised if among the boat traffic. If you’re a bit scared to go on your own – try the link below.
Theatre By the Lake
You guessed it, its down by the lake. Again we can organise a (slight!) discount on ticket prices. There is usually a set of season plays and then special one-offs.
Alhambra Cinema
It’s not Moorish, and its not in Granada, but unlike many small British towns we have been lucky enough to keep hold of our art deco cinema rather than see it become a bingo hall/ curry house etc. We usually have the week’s showings up in the hallway.
Get Climbing
Even if the weather’s appalling, we have two indoor climbing walls with a range of options and pitches, including bouldering, clip and climb and indoor caving.
Get underground and up a height
Honister slate mine is ace, and developing. Local legend Mark Weir built this from reopening the only slate mine in Cumbria, to now hosting mine tours, the white knuckle Via Ferrata, and soon to be zipwire. The views back down Borrowdale and into Buttermere valleys are absolutely outstanding.
Get RIGHT up high
You guessed it – another local outdoor legend Gordie Oliver runs a paragliding school. If you’ve been to Keswick before during the summer months you may well have seen loads of people floating around in the sky….
Skiing and Snowboarding
Quite often the first lift-assisted skiing open in the UK is on Raise, on the Helvellyn range. It’s a good 90 minute walk up there, in proper winter mountain conditions – think ice axe, think crampons. No, there’s no ski hire or tuition, nor is there a lodge serving mac and cheese, but it’s probably one of the most memorable day’s sliding you’ll ever have.
Drive tour – Bang for your buck part one
Surprise view, Ashness bridge and Watendlath. All in one drive, just make sure you’re happy with narrow country lanes!
Drive tour – Bang for your buck part two
Keswick – Borrowdale – Honister – Buttermere – Newlands – Keswick. If we’ve guests in town who’ve never seen the area, and a couple of hours to show them the best – this one’s all killer and no filler. A fantastic round trip with loads of possible stops – lakes, pubs, ice creams, waterfalls, peaks. It’s a stunner.
Drive tour – Bang for your buck part three
Back of the Caldbeck fells – the very North of the national park. Often missed by visitors, this is a fantastic drive round the “back o’Skidder” – Bassenthwaite – Castle Inn – Uldale – Caldbeck – Hesket – Mungrisdale and back to the A66. Quiet, majestic, amazing views past Carlisle to Scotland and over to the North Pennines. Oh, and there’s great pubs to visit and even a brewery in Hesket!
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