Keswick recommendations?

[charliewww]

I've got a week booked in Keswick soon, with 8yo dd. We haven't been for a few years - does anyone have any recommendations of things we can do/good places to eat while we are there?

Happy to travel to other areas in the car. So far I have on my list the wildlife park, and a rock shop dd has seen on YouTube which is in Ambleside...

My kids are young teens so we will be doing some hill walks - Catbells, Latrigg and Walla Crag all sound like they would be okay. I also like the sound of the railway walk

If your kids are teenagers, they'll be up and down Latrigg in about 30 seconds - much better off going for Skiddaw or Blencathra. More challenging, yes, but much more rewarding. Catbells and Latrigg really are for little ones, as entry-level fells!

I wouldn't recommend the railway walk during the school holidays as it's rammed with scooters, bikes, dogs, etc to the point where it's impossible to get anywhere - and there are also no views either. I don't understand why it's so popular tbh, unless you have a toddler on a scooter to entertain. If you want a low level walk, you're much better off either following the near side of the lake to Friars Crag and beyond, down Borrowdale, or else going on the other side of the lake through Portinscale and following the path to Grange.

Also remember the railway path is the route of Keswick parkrun, so avoid it at 9am on a Saturday!

Buses are really poor in the Lakes, unfortunately. Driving to Ambleside is going to be much easier than sitting on an (irregular, slow, expensive) bus for an hour. And if you drive you can also stop off in Rydal or Grasmere on the way back for the caves and walking at Loughrigg.

ColouringPencils there is a fairly big carpark in the town centre and another couple a bit further out - one nearly opposite the garden centre and another by the lake. The town centre one is always rammed, but the other 2 are less busy (though they do get full in the holidays).I think I noticed another parking sign last time I drove through, near the park. I think it might be at the rugby club or somesuch place. But if you arrive early it shouldn't be too hard to find somewhere.
Personally, I would ignore the town centre carpark unless there are obviously spaces when you pass. Coming from Keswick, keep going through the town til you come to the traffic lights just by the end of the lake. Turn sharp right down the little hill and there is quite a big carpark on your right. If you park there and then walk up to the top of that carpark you can cut through to the main road so its an easy walk back into town. It's also easier to get in and out of than the central one if you're not a super confident drive. Parking anywhere in the Lakes can be a real nightmare it's true, but if you arrive before the crowds and are prepared to walk for a few minutes you'll probably be ok.
There have been massive roadworks on the A591between Ambleside to Winderemere road over the last few weeks by the way but hopefully they will be finished now. The aim was to have the road back to normal "before the main holiday season" so I would think they'll be over by half term. Its about 10 days since i was last there and they were in full flow so hopefully done by now!
The open top bus could be an excursion in its own right if the weather is nice but as a PP said, buses are expensive and infrequent so make sure you research your bus back as if you miss it you could be kicking your heels for a while, and there's not that much to do in Ambleside to be honest.

Thanks for the replies and the parking advice @AgeingDoc @fellrunner85! I thought that Skiddaw and Blencathra were for more experienced walkers than us. Maybe we will try a small one and see how much more of a challenge we need! We have all week.

I thought that Skiddaw and Blencathra were for more experienced walkers than us

Both are very straightforward and on well made paths, if you go up the main tracks. No scrambling or anything involved with either (if you're on the easy routes!) although obviously they're larger fells and will involve a fair few hours on feet.

Skiddaw is very easy to navigate - start in Keswick itself and head out past the park and swimming baths to Spooneygreen Lane. This road becomes a track which takes you up into the fells. For a quick and easy walk, take the right fork after the woods to go up Latrigg; or turn left for the longer walk up Skiddaw.

With Blencathra, though, if you're not an experienced walker then park in Threlkeld and go up and down the Blease Fell way. Obviously don't attempt anything daft on Sharp Edge! And go to the pub in Threlkeld after for refreshments.

Oh God, not the pencil museum. It's really very boring. But at least it's cheap!

Finally a voice of reason!

Thanks for the great suggestions on this thread, we are just back from Keswick and had a great time. We did Latrigg, Catbells and Skiddaw for hills (thanks for persuading me @fellrunner85!). Although Latrigg was pretty easy in terms of height, we combined it with a nice walk along the old railway line and up through some woods, so it was definitely worth doing. I found the other two quite challenging but fun. We also walked around Derwent Water, which is 10 miles but pretty much flat. Very pretty. Walked in the Great Wood up to Ashness Bridge and down past a waterfall. Hired a boat on the lake. Played in the parks. Loved it all!

Oh and I found the rugby club car park that @AgeingDoc mentioned. I didn't need it in the end, but in case it helps anyone else, it is slightly out of town towards the lake, near two campsites. It costs £4 all day until 9am the following day. There looked like plenty of spaces. Would be an easy walk into town or lake if you parked there.

Oh I'm so glad you had a good time, OP! Brilliant that you made it up Skiddaw and the rest - the fells can be addictive, though, so I'm sure you'll be back before long 😊