There is something for everyone in Keswick. You have an option of a romantic holiday or a leisurely visit or backpacking.
Introducing Keswick, Lake District
Keswick is a charming market town in the Lake District. I must admit I was looking forward to exploring Keswick. Busy, but the ambience made me like it instantly. This picturesque town has some fascinating history to tell too, the iconic Castlerigg stone circle, for example, being nearby.
Keswick offers a wide range of activities and attractions. You can explore the town that is rich with history through its museums, historical sites and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. Keswick is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the Lake District.
Looking for something to do in Keswick? Read on to discover some of the best things to do in the town below.
Things to Do
Main Activities
Just walk around the town. You can find things to do and see easily in Keswick. Here is my selection of some of the best.
Explore Castlerigg
Castlerigg is a top 5 place to visit in Keswick. In addition to its history, it is surrounded by beautiful views of mountains. We spent about 1.5 to 2 hours here and when we arrived there were few people. The views are absolutely gorgeous and I was transfixed looking at them.
Go to Keswick Museum
To visit Keswick Museum is another great option if you are looking for something that is related to the town's history. It houses a collection of over 20,000 exhibits, including fine arts, literature and photography. It is definitely a place to go, especially on a rainy day.
See the stationery at the Pencil Museum
This is quite a fascinating museum. As someone who likes stationery, this is a must go-to museum in the Lake District. It is located a short walk from the town centre.
The Pencil Museum has interactive displays. This is where you can learn about the history of the Keswick graphite mining industry. Graphite mines have been used by the Derwent company since the 1800s. Did you know? Keswick has the first pencil mill in the world. The museum also has the largest pencils in the world too.
See Moot Hall
Moot Hall dates back to the 16th century. It was used as a market hall and courthouse and today it houses the town's Tourist Information Centre. The building features a stunning clock tower that has become a Keswick symbol.
It is quite easy to find this building, it's located in the heart of the town.
Walking around the town
I always recommend this activity to anyone no matter if you're visiting villages, towns or cities. You may find something unexpected and beautiful while you are strolling around. It could be a beautiful alleyway, cafe or restaurant or even architecture. It applies to Keswick town too where you can see some beautiful buildings, places to eat and see while doing so. So do it leisurely unless your time is limited.
Walk around Hope Park
We passed this beautiful park to and from Derwentwater. We stopped and walked around the park back from Derwentwater. It is one of the best things to do in the town and it's free too.
Hope Park is located a short walk from Keswick town. It was once a big open space and today the park offers a wide range of activities including a mini golf course and remote controlled boats. With stunning views, Hope Park is a great place for anyone who is looking for a place to relax and unwind.
More reading // 18 Wonderful Things to Do in the Lake District
Watching live performances at Theatre by the Lake
If you're looking for something to relax and fill in your afternoon or night time, Theatre by the Lake is a great place to go to. The venue boasts a range of theatre productions throughout the year from classical plays, family shows and contemporary performances. So check their website to find the latest shows and times.
Derwent Water Marina
This is one of the activities that you can do at Derwentwater Lake. It is located just a short walk from Theatre by the Lake. To explore the lake you can choose from boat cruises, kayak, canoe and rowing or pedalos. Any of these is a great way to see the lake and explore it.
See the view at Friars Cragg
If you're going to Derwentwater Lake, this is definitely a must go-to place. The route includes some impressive mountains and lakeside views. It offers a picturesque view of the lake over Borrowdale. The best time to enjoy the view is during a sunny clear day. Just sit and relax and don't forget your picnic too.
Travel Practical Information
Well prepared pre-planning and research will help make your travel plans easy. It also helps you to understand what you are looking for and what to do in each location. Here is the information I've prepared and that you might want to consider and use when planning your own trip to Keswick.
Location of Keswick
Keswick is located in the northern part of the Lake District, England. It is situated on the shores of Derwentwater.
Getting to Keswick
By train. The nearest train station is Penrith. It is located about 17 miles northwest of Keswick. The station has a good connection with big cities in the UK. From London 3 hours, from Manchester 1 hour and 45 minutes, from Edinburgh 1 hour 45 minutes and from Glasgow about 1 hour 45 minutes.
By car. I think this is the best option if you want to explore and stay longer in Keswick, especially if you want to explore more of the Lake District. Keswick itself can easily be reached by car. The M6 motorway runs close to Penrith which is connected to the town by A66.
Stagecoach. A bus service (X4 and X5 Gold) runs regularly to Keswick from Penrith. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach the town, alternatively you can take a taxi from Penrith train station which could cost you a bit more.
Getting around Keswick
Most of the attractions mentioned in this article are within walking distance from the town centre. The main bus station is located near Booths Supermarket. You also can catch a bus to Buttermere, Honister pass and Windermere from here.
Places to stay
If you are planning to stay a night or two nights in Keswick, there are plenty of choices of places to stay in the town. Just check on Booking.com or Airbnb.com to find out the availability of the hotels or other accommodations.
In Summer, places to stay can be difficult to find because it is a busy season and prices can skyrocket. We stayed at Ravenstone Lodge Hotel which is located about 12 minutes drive from the town centre. We had a lovely room with a stunning view towards the mountains.
Places to eat
There are a lot of places to eat in the Lake District, from very traditional English restaurants to Asian restaurants. Do check TripAdvisor.com to find out places to eat before you go.
We had breakfast and dined in at the restaurant where we were staying. The food was very good. You could try these places too: Star of Siam, Marienda and Fellpack.
How long to spend in Keswick
The number of days depends on your travel plans, travel budget and things you want to see. We have had a day trip to Keswick and we think that it is sufficient to explore the town centre. But we'll come again to explore the town and the places that we had no time to visit when we were there last. If you have time, plan 2-3 days to explore the town and the surrounding areas.
Best time to visit Keswick
Keswick is an all year round destination. Peak season is July and August, shoulder season is late Spring and Autumn and low season is November to January.
Tip | Check the weather forecast before planning to travel to the Lake District. The Lake District often experiences rain and if you're ok with some damp days that should be fine.
I think the best time to visit the Lake District is when there is no rain and when it's off-season, otherwise any seasons in the year give you different experiences and vibes.
Concluding remarks on trip to Keswick
I hope this guide helps you to find things to do in Keswick and its surrounding areas. Keswick offers a diverse range of activities and attractions that cater to everyone from museum to art gallery to nature. Undoubtedly, Keswick is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District.
There’s a great sense of history at every corner and awesome nature and mountains awaiting everyone to explore and enjoy. We'll probably be coming back another time to explore other places nearby the town which we didn't visit when we were there last.
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