Recommendations for things to do in and around Keswick

[Woahbodyforrrrm]

My best friend and I are going away for a long weekend at the end of November. We’re staying beside Lake Derwent near Keswick. We are going away together, child and husband free for the first time since we were 17 so I was hoping to get some ideas from those who live in the area or have been there, on things to do and places to visit.

We are planning on a good walk each day but definitely aren’t up for hiking for hours. We’ve got a spa afternoon booked and cocktail making one evening.

We are travelling by train so won’t have access to a car but are happy to take cabs.

I was wondering whether there are any pretty villages —with lovely pubs— nearby, or any towns that aren’t too far away that might have a Christmas Market? We’re staying from the 24th - 27th November.

Any recommendations for good restaurants, pubs, things to do etc would be greatly appreciated!

Do you like whiskey or gin? The Lakes Distillery is awesome and does tasting tours. It has a nice bistro / cocktail place too.

Oh lovely, that’s just the type of thing I’m looking for! Thank you @BibbleandSqwauk

The old railway line walk to Threlkeld (where there's a pub)

Not sure about Xmas Market - you're going the week before the victorian Xmas market in Keswick I think.

Pencil Museum

Borrowdale Rambler bus over Honister Pass, if you're feeling adventurous you could do the mine tour or Via Ferrata or stay on the bus to Buttermere, there's a lovely circular walk around the lake and the Bridge Hotel/Pub is lovely.

There a also a 10 mile ish circular walk around Derwentwater which actually you can "pub crawl" - Lodore Falls, Borrowdale Hotel, several pubs in Portinscale and lots back in Keswick.

PS - you also know it will be very wet and cold? Pretty much has its own climate and is one of the wettest places in England. Come prepared!

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions here! And thanks for the heads up about the climate 🌧️ I’d better get some waterproofs!

Seconding the pencil museum suggestion

We had the best Mexican we have ever eaten in Keswick. We went twice in 4 days to Bar eS. Lovely town to walk around.

Third the pencil museum.
also climbing up Catbells 🏔️

Theatre By The Lake has some great productions.

I was just about to say this! Even as an adult on a child free weekend 🤣

You will get funny looks if you call it Lake Derwent when you get here

How are you getting from the train to Keswick? If you are travelling from Windermere station have a good browse round Lakeland and Booths before you get the bus/taxi for 'bits'.

Yes, Catbells is a must. Easily doable but a proper fell walk and fabulous views.

Hope you're going to the Lodore Falls new spa, it looks fab.

And if you're not familiar with the local supermarket chain, Booths is gorgeous

You need to be very wary of the weather before going walking - especially up high such as cat bells summit ... Snow in November is easily possible and it's not like a nice country walk elsewhere- your comment about waterproofs suggests you aren't a regular walker - do you have proper boots as well? If not then you would need them to climb the hills that time of year.

Check the met office mountain forecast for weather. Much better than more generic forecasts.

Otherwise stick to low level activities - the route around Derwentwater is easy walking but can be flooded if the lake levels are high.

There are plenty of art/gift shops etc in Keswick that might hit the spot for shopping - and do many pubs and cafes you don't need to travel much.

There's a lovely cafe at the Lingholm Estate that I highly recommend:

https://thelingholmkitchen.co.uk/

To get there (without a car), catch the Keswick Launch to Hawes End or Nichol End jetty’s then it’s a short stroll along the footpath.

https://keswick-launch.co.uk/cruises/winter-times/

Or arrive by foot along the Catbells path which is a 10 minute walk from Portinscale or a flat, gentle 35 minute walk from Keswick.

You have to do Catbells - amazing views but easy and short. Get the ferry over the lake if you’re on the other side of Catbells, when you get back there are massive hot chocolates with marshmallows in the cafe where you can celebrate your efforts. If it’s rubbish weather you can clip and climb in Kong clothing store for a bit of fun

My dad does that walk every Thursday! Just came on to suggest it.

Love Keswick. This restaurant looks great - review is a few years old now but recent reviews look good.

https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/04/fellpack-keswick-cumbria-restaurant-review-grace-dent

Another vote for Fellpack, now located at bigger premises around the corner from where it was when Grace Dent reviewed it for The Guardian. The Round burger restaurant by the same folk in also excellent.

Walla Crag is a nice walk if the weather smiles.

Whinlatter is fun and has GoApe, cycle routes, short walks and a good cafe. We travel up in spring and summer so you may need to check if it there are buses to it at this time of year.

The 555 Lakes bus got a mention as a great bus route in last week’s Guardian. Can facilitate a trip to Grasmere, Windermere etc.

Cockermouth has Wordsworths house and a brewery tour. Nice cafes too.

Markets - I don’t know about Christmas, but the Saturday market is really good.

Ye Olde Friars of Keswick sweets, chocs, chutney, jam - kitsch classic. Keswickian fish and chips 👍🏼

We have mostly visited by train and usually go to Penrith and then taxi or bus to Keswick.

Penrith is worth a look - has a castle. The postal address of the Center Parcs is Penrith, but it’s a bit out. I’ve not been there though as not really our sort of thing. Rheghed is just outside Penrith, not been for years. I think it has an IMAX.

The foodie capital of The Lakes, is Cartmel. So not really The Lakes. Between Braithwaite and Whinlatter is The Cottage in the Wood. Tasting menu, Michelan type stuff in the same kinda territory.

Bassenthwaite station is a former rail station where they do afternoon tea and murder mystery events. Also recommended by Grace Dent in The Guardian

Bassenthwaite station is a former rail station where they do afternoon tea and murder mystery events. Also recommended by Grace Dent in The Guardian

It's not just a station, there's an actual train. The train that played the Orient Express in Ken Branagh's film of Murder on the Orient Express.

Cockermouth is worth a visit for its independent shops and friendly vibe, but you'll have to come back as a long weekend in the Lake District is nowhere near enough.

As mentioned upthread, the bus to Ambleside and Windermere travels a beautiful route, known as one of the best drives in the country. And the bus stop at Windermere is just outside Lakeland's flagship store (Lakeland the kitchen shop).

I want to go to the Lake District!

Castle Rigg stone circle