Keswick market town is in the Lake District and is the biggest lakeland town in the Lake District region. It is the most popular for tourists, and often many people visit for just a day trip as there is plenty to do here. Set between the Skiddaw mountain and Derwentwater lake, it probably offers the most things to do in the Lake District in one place, with lake, mountain and town activities all on the doorstep. Here’s some suggestions for things to do in Keswick.

Things To Do In Keswick

The following suggestions are all things to do in central Keswick, where once you are parked up you can do them all in the town centre. There is a big public car park in Keswick that has a lot of spaces, but in peak times particularly school holidays you may need to wait for a space. Put postcode CA12 5DP into your Sat Nav and you can’t miss it. It is pay and display.

From the car park you will be in the centre of Keswick market place within minutes.

Market Day in Keswick 

The market is held every Saturday, and the local stalls line the centre of the town selling locally made products and food. The cheese van is a popular one, as is the Greek stall selling all sorts of flavoured olive combinations and incredible feta cheese. Also find other locally made food, handmade gifts, clothing – particularly sheep wool, and artwork inspired by the unlimited scenery of the area.

Keswick Kong Adventure

If you fancy all the fun of rock climbing or caving, but without too much of the danger then Keswick Kong is a great place to entertain the kids. They have an indoor climbing wall and caving experience, as well as an escape room and a cafe. A great alternative to the real thing especially if the weather isn’t great.

Kong Adventure also offer a range of outdoor activities too, including outdoor caving in nature, ghyll scrambling, canyoning, climbing and paddle board hire. 

See more information on all of the Keswick Kong Adventure activities here.

Ye Olde Friars Sweetshop

The sweet and chocolate shop in the centre of Keswick, Ye Olde Friars has been there for 95+ years, and is still run by the same family today. Specialising in beautiful chocolates in all different flavours, Ye Olde Friars is a must visit in Keswick. 

As well as all the flavours of chocolates on the counter, they have a huge variety of sweets bagged up, a jelly bean bar, and a whole array of other sweet good on the tables and displays. They do Halloween and Christmas very well, so its always worth a visit at those times of year too. 

They have opened a branch in Ambleside, but the Keswick one was the original. 

Visit Keswick Museum & Art Gallery

Pay the Keswick museum a visit for a comprehensive and immersive insight into the Lake District, particularly Keswick and it’s history. They have collections to view including manuscripts from writers, artefacts made in the area, and a gallery of artwork.

They are open daily and you can find the prices for entry on their website here.

Go to the Theatre or the Cinema

Although you probably won’t be visiting the Lake District to sit indoors, if you need some family entertainment or a night off from the pub, Keswick has its own theatre and cinema. 

If you’re into the performing arts take a look at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, dubbed the most beautiful location for any theatre in the UK. They have two stages with various performances, you can check up to date showings on their website.

The cinema is an old school picture house, but it does show the most popular new release of the time on its big screen. Find information and showtimes here.

Enjoy the Traditional Tearooms 

The Lakes is very traditionally British, with hearty meals and cream tea on the menu of most places, especially the traditional cafes and tearooms of which there are just too many to mention. A couple in the centre of Keswick with a good reputation include:

George Fisher’s Tearoom on the top floor of George Fisher’s Mountaineering shop, there is its own cafe. They serve homemade breakfasts, lunches and hot meals, and freshly baked cakes and shortbreads. Their food really is delicious.

 You can get some of their recipes in their cookbook available to buy. It gets busy on weekends so expect a queue from 11am onwards but it’s worth the wait and the view through the window is painted above so you know which mountains you’re looking at.

The Wild Strawberry Tearoom is another famous cafe at the other end of Keswick, and you pass it on the drive in along the one way system. They serve sandwiches, crepes and ice cream. You can’t miss it, painted white with red windows and doors.

Enjoy Keswick’s Pubs

If there is one thing a Lakeland town can do right it’s the pubs on offer. All serving up huge meals with specialities like Cumberland sausage and mash, pie and fish and chips, there are pubs on every corner in Keswick. Many have outside seating too which is great in the summer after a long walk to enjoy a cold pint in the sun.

Just a couple to name in Keswick are the Dog & Gun, the Bank Tavern, Lake Road Inn, The Wainwright and the Pheasant Inn. Expect old fashioned interiors, history in photos on the wall, British hospitality and great tasting food. 

If you want something other than a pub, Keswick’s answer to nightlife is the wine and tapas bar called Bar 26. It’s a great little bar with a big selection of wine and delicious tapas. It makes a nice change from the pubs and British food of all the pubs.

Keswick Brewing Co.

Keswick has its own brewing company and bottle shop, which also has a taproom that you can visit and enjoy drinks as well as food. Its dog friendly, open every day except Monday, and has indoor and outdoor seating. They don’t take bookings so just turn up and enjoy.

See more on the Keswick Brewing Co. here.

Shopping in Keswick

Being at the heart of the Lake District, of course you can find countless walking, mountaineering and outdoor shops in Keswick, selling everything you could need for walking, climbing and camping, as well as outdoor sports and pursuits. There’s more to the Keswick shopping scene than this however.

You can get all your essentials in Keswick, especially if you’re staying somewhere self catered. There’s a Boots, a supermarket and numerous pharmacies, ice cream parlours, butchers and bakers, even a Greggs. 

If you’re looking for a different shopping experience then Keswick also has plenty of lovely little boutique shops to rummage around in. They’re dotted all over, among lots of art galleries and bookshops, but one of the best places to find them is Packhorse Court.

This courtyard is just off the main Market Street In Keswick, and it has some real hidden gems. There is the Keswick cheese deli, a florist, a toy shop, a home decor shop and another small sweet shop. Well worth it if you find it. It does have its own website which you can visit here.

Play Crazy Golf

On the walk to the lake you pass the Keswick Golf Club, where you can play with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, or enjoy a more relaxing game of crazy golf too.

Things To Do On The Lake

As well as things to do in Keswick town centre, there is also the lake to enjoy. Keswick is built on Derwentwater Lake, and that offers more opportunities for things to do. You could choose to drive there and there is a car park called Lakeside car park, postcode CA12 5DG, or you could walk and it’s about 10-15 minutes from the centre.

Keswick Lakeside Activities

Like any lake in the Lake District, you could choose to entertain yourselves. Take a picnic and sit on the big grass bank and play games, sunbathe and enjoy the view, paddle, skim stones, go paddle boarding or swimming, or feed the many ducks and swans that will be about.

Keswick Launch 

Keswick Launch is a company offering boat trips on Derwentwater lake, which is a great opportunity to take in some of the views of Keswick from the water, as well as nearby mountains like the famous Catbells and Skiddaw. Dogs are welcome on the wooden boats, which have indoor and outdoor seating.

See more information on Keswick launch here.

As well as Keswick Launch there are opportunities to hire other boats yourself, such as rowing boats, or even get on the steamer to other points on the Lake too.

Things To Do Near Keswick

As well as Keswick town centre and the lake, there are some must do things near Keswick that you shouldn’t miss.

The Derwent Pencil Museum 

A good choice for any aspiring artists, or as a rainy day activity, the Derwent Pencil Museum was the place where the first ever pencil was made. The museum takes you through the graphite mining process, and also has the world’s largest pencil on display. You can buy artwork supplies here in the gift shop. 

See the official website for more info.

Lakes Distillery

The Lakes Distillery is near Bassenthwaite lake, and here you can do a tour of the whiskey distillery, or just visit to enjoy the shop and the bistro. The shop sells all the Lakes spirits – whisky, gin and vodka, as well as a lovely range of other gifts.

The bistro serves excellent food throughout the day, with a coffee and cake menu and a daytime menu, as well as afternoon tea. Of course you can sample the recommended serves of their spirits on the menu too. They also serve afternoon tea if you fancied that, but booking is recommended.

Visit the Lakes Distillery website here.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

The Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of many in Britain, and it’s just a short drive from Keswick making it one of the most visited by tourists. 

As you can tell there are so many things to do in Keswick, it isn’t a town that you could visit for a day and have seen and done everything it has to offer. There are lots of places to stay in and near to Keswick, self catered, hotels, inns, B&Bs and luxury hotels nearby too to really maximise your stay and experience Keswick properly. Many people stop on their way through to other areas, before or after check in.

Other Lake District posts:

22 Things to do in the Lake District that Aren’t Hiking

The Best Spa Days in the Lake District

A Travel Guide to Ambleside

The Best Restaurants in Ambleside

Things to do in Buttermere

Places to Stay in Buttermere

A Hot Tub Stay at Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

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