Things to do in Keswick
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Keswick Launch Company
Derwent Water has an excellent boat service run by the Keswick Launch Company calling at seven landing stages around the lake: Ashness Gate, Lodore Falls, High Brandlehow, Low Brandlehow, Hawse End, Nichol End and back to Keswick. Boats leave every hour, clockwise and anticlockwise; single fares to each jetty are also available.
There are six daily boats from March to November, with a couple of extra afternoon sailings in high summer. There's also an evening cruise at 19:30 in summer, which includes a free glass of wine (one hour, May to September). There are only two daily sailings from November to March.
reviewed
-
B
Pencil Museum
For over 350 years, Keswick was a centre for graphite mining and pencil manufacture (Derwent colouring pencils are still a favourite amongst discerning artists). At the southern end of Main St, the former Cumberland Pencil Factory now houses various exhibits exploring the industry, including a reconstruction of the old Borrowdale slate mine and the world's longest pencil (measuring 8m end to end).
reviewed
-
C
Cars of the Stars Motor Museum
This museum houses a fleet of celebrity vehicles: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mr Bean's Mini, a Batmobile, KITT from Knight Rider, the A-Team van and the Delorean from Back to the Future, as well as lots of Bond cars.
reviewed
-
D
Café 26
Knightsbridge comes to Keswick at this groovy wine-bar, decked out with leather bench seats, burgundy paintwork and plenty of velour cushions. Oenophiles will appreciate the extensive wine list, and if you enjoy yourself just a little too much, there are several contemporary rooms above the bar.
reviewed
-
E
Lakeland Pedlar Wholefood Cafe
You'll be hard-pressed to find a heartier lunch in the Lakes than the ones served up at this long-standing establishment, noted for its chunky sandwiches, homemade soups, veggie chillis and inch-thick cakes. There's a bike shop upstairs.
reviewed
-
F
Sweeney's Bar Restaurant & Rooms
Count on decent Brit cooking in comfortable surrounds at Sweeney's. It's half chic wine bar, half restaurant-with-rooms: leather sofas and polished tables spread over two floors, with a beer garden for soaking up the rays.
reviewed
-
G
Lemon & Lime
This global bistro takes a mix-and-match approach to its wide-ranging cuisine - for starters you might choose falafels, spring rolls or Yakitori chicken, with Malaysian noodles, Thai curry or chicken schnitzel to follow.
reviewed
-
H
Puzzling Place
If you're a fan of brainteasers, the Puzzling Place is a real treat, with a maze of rooms crammed with holograms, optical illusions and a truly befuddling anti-gravity gallery.
reviewed
-
I
Keswick Climbing Wall & Activity Centre
Keswick Climbing Wall & Activity Centre, behind the Pencil Museum, organises outdoor activities including canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing and cycling.
reviewed
-
J
Dog & Gun
With its low ceilings, tobacco-tinted walls and wooden booths, this old Keswick boozer makes a fine place for a swift pint and a plate of nosh.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
-
L
Bryson's Tea Room
Perhaps the most famous bakery in the Lakes, renowned for its traditional fruitcakes, Battenburgs and chocolate sponges.
reviewed
-
M
Loose Box
The best pizzas in town are dished up at this small Italian diner, attached to the Kings Arms.
reviewed
-
N
Cotswold Outdoor
There are lots of outdoors shops around town, including a huge branch of Cotswold Outdoor.
reviewed
-
O
George Fisher
Another good outdoor shop in town is the traditionalists' favourite George Fisher.
reviewed
-
P
Abraham's Tearoom
Take a break from your boot shopping in the attic café at George Fisher.
reviewed
-
Nichol End Marine
Nichol End Marine hires out kayaks, windsurfers, rowboats and motor-boats.
reviewed
-
Q
Morrel's
Keswick's top table is this glossy restaurant, smoothly done in shades of cappuccino, cream and chocolate and enlivened by pop art movie prints. Expect quality bistro food spiced by the occasional Spanish, Catalan or Italian influence.
reviewed
-
R
Mayson's
Buffet dining in a cosy space sprinkled with potted plants and bench seating. Select your daily special from one of the woks on the counter, choose a drink and wait for your grub to arrive in double-quick time.
reviewed
-
S
Keswick Museum & Art Gallery
Hardly anything has changed since Keswick's municipal museum opened its doors in 1898. Dusty cases fill the halls: the most famous exhibits are a centuries-old mummified cat and the celebrated Musical Stones of Skiddaw, a truly weird instrument made from hornsfel rock that was once played for Queen Victoria.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Good Taste
Peter Sidwell's snazzy cafe is one of the town's most popular places for lunch, and it's not really surprising. Tuck into gourmet sandwiches, fresh-made smoothies and more-filling mains shot through with Italian and French flavours. Best coffee in Keswick, too.
reviewed
-
U
Dog & Gun
Plenty of pubs in Keswick, but this is the pick: deep booths, flickering hearths, a well-worn wooden bar and proper pub grub and ale, including 'Thirst rescue', which helps fund the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.
reviewed
-
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Set on a fabulously wild hilltop a mile east of town, this famous stone circle consists of 48 stones between 3000 and 4000 years old, surrounded by a dramatic circle of mountain peaks.
reviewed
-
V
Cafe-Bar 26
Smart cafe and wine bar that also turns out snacky tapas, burgers and bruschetta.
reviewed
-
W
Bryson's
Much-loved bakery known for its fruit cakes, Battenburgs and florentines.
reviewed
