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Recommendations for activities in Keswick

41 replies

trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 08:04

We're heading to Keswick next week, 4 adults and 3 children aged 6 to 10. We're staying at Keswick reach holiday park so a little outside of Keswick I think.
So far we're thinking about visiting the Lingholme estate, climbing the catbells, taking the kids quad biking, going to Keswick wildlife park or King adventure if it's wet, lakes distillery tour and spending a day at Windermere. Does this sound ok to anyone who knows the area? I'm presuming it's going to be wet so I'm trying to plan in advance! Thanks

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MairzyDoats · 12/10/2019 08:07

The kids might find the distillery tour a little dull and the restaurant there is quite high end and expensive but otherwise it looks great. Whinlatter adventure trail is in the woods not far outside Keswick and it's brilliant for kids with a great cafe.

FrancisCrawford · 12/10/2019 08:10

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mnahmnah · 12/10/2019 08:10

Rheged at Penrith has great activities at half-term. The launch boats on Derwent Water have inside bits. Theatre by the Lake might have something on that’s family friendly. There’s a cinema in Keswick too, a lovely old-fashioned one.

PrettyShiningPeople · 12/10/2019 08:22

Hope park near the lake for mini golf and pitch n putt.
Boat hire and boat trips on the lake itself.

Go to the waterfall at Ullswater (can’t remember the name of it )

See if there’s anything on at the Theatre by the Lake.

trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 08:23

Thanks everyone. These are great. @MairzyDoats I think you're right about the distillery tour. We'll maybe give that a miss. The mountain forest place looks brilliant! I hasn't come across that but we'll definitely go there.

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trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 08:23

Thanks everyone. These are great. @MairzyDoats I think you're right about the distillery tour. We'll maybe give that a miss. The mountain forest place looks brilliant! I hasn't come across that but we'll definitely go there.

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PrettyShiningPeople · 12/10/2019 08:24

The waterfall I meant is Aira Force. The car park is national trust.

trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 08:25

Oops sorry for replying twice!
I checked the theatre but there's nothing kids on. I'll check out the cinema though. That could be a good bet for a wet afternoon.

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rockingaroundthemulberrybush · 12/10/2019 08:25

Pencil Museum is fab!!

trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 08:27

@FrancisCrawford yes my friend who has been to the lakes lots of times also suggested the pencil museum and said it's great. I'm not sure about that one though

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PrettyShiningPeople · 12/10/2019 08:29

Oh, and don’t forget Ashness Bridge and surprise view!

Honister slate mine might be challenging for a six year old, but at least have a drive out that way through Borrowdale. Stunning scenery.

And Booths for supplies.

Love Keswick.

FrancisCrawford · 12/10/2019 08:30

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FrancisCrawford · 12/10/2019 08:30

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LittleCandle · 12/10/2019 08:31

I'm another to recommend the pencil museum. It is great. We were in there for ages the time we went.

trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 09:16

Looks like the pencil museum is a must then 😂 Can't wait to go to Booths! I've never been to one and they look amazing.

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Simkin · 12/10/2019 09:21

The Puzzle place in the town centre is ace. Rather tatty but cheap and the kids love it. Going to one of the marinas eg nichol end and hiring a canoe, kayak or rowing boat is fun.

CampingItUp · 12/10/2019 09:27

Steamer along Ullswater.
Or take the short steamer trip from Glenridding to Aira Force waterfall.

Drive over Honister Pass to Buttermere and Crummock water for views. Also climbing Haystacks from Gatesgarth would be, IMO, a more interesting walk than Catbells.

But don’t do either without proper sturdy waterproof footwear and good waterproofs, and start early: dusk falls early.

Maybe Catbells if you have not done any fell walking or similar before.

Wray Castle.

You can take the boat round Derwent Water and get off and walk along the lake and pick up the next boat further along (Check Times and details!)

AliMonkey · 12/10/2019 09:51

Don’t get too excited about the pencil museum - it’s just a couple of rooms plus shop and cafe but has a good quiz and drawing activities. Gets very busy when raining!

Boat trip plus picnic and walk eg boat from Keswick, get off Lodore Falls, walk as far round Derwentwater as you want, get back on boat at one of the stops on the west side. Or Aira Force, lunch at NT tea room, boat to Glenridding, walk back.

Lake District Wildlife Park much better than we expected - even my teenager enjoyed it.

Mirehouse in lovely setting with good grounds and great tea room, even if not interested in house itself.

Alpaca walking at Lingholm.

Definitely recommend Whinlatter.

Castlerigg stone circle worth stopping at for the setting - and potential for running off some energy and usually an ice cream van in lay-by as well!

Wray Castle is a non-stuffy NT place.

Lots of activities at Brockhole.

Just remember to take decent waterproofs and waterproof boots - we had a very wet week there in August with heavy rain every day. But Lake District still one of my favourite places!

FrancisCrawford · 12/10/2019 09:53

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trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 10:04

Thanks everyone these are brilliant! @CampingItUp most of us haven't done any fell walking before so we'll maybe stick to the easy ones first.
I'm thinking I maybe need to go shopping for some waterproofs today. I've got decent jackets and boots but don't own waterproof trousers. Hate the things!

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trumpisaflump · 12/10/2019 10:05

@AliMonkey I really fancied alpaca walking but it's £80 per couple. Think I might just try and watch them from afar!

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ineedmoresleepnow · 12/10/2019 10:06

I live here and highly recommend whinlatter, we go all year round! The distillery tour is all about whiskey and I found it boring as an adult though the bistro is lovely and you can meet alpacas on a Wednesday I think.
Kong adventure is pretty good or for a wet day venture a bit further to clip n climb/cave at the wave maryport. Brockhole also fab.
Try Buttermere if the weather is nice or lanthwaite woods for a quieter lake experience.
If you want to be active rookin house has some good activities.

ineedmoresleepnow · 12/10/2019 10:08

Also mirehouse is a good shout for a first fell walk. There is woodland adventure and a nice walk to the lake on one side but in the other you can walk up through the forest with marked paths to the top of little Dodd. Lovely views on a nice day.

FrancisCrawford · 12/10/2019 10:11

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