The northern capital of the lakes
The old town of Keswick is the hub of the northern Lake District. It offers many facilities, including all the usual tourist attractions one would expect in the Lake District, as well as shopping. Not least Keswick now boasts an impressive theatre, the "Theatre by the Lake" which replaced the old "blue box" theatre which stood on the site for many years. For walkers. Borrowdale offers many walks of various degrees of difficulty and the upper valley is often used as the starting point for the central fells. The curious Bowder Stone may also be seen.
The Keswick Launch
No trip to the lakes is complete without a trip on at least one. The Keswick Launch Company offer trips round the lake. You can take the launch all the way round or perhaps stop off on the way for a walk or at our partner hotel by the lake, Mary Mount, for lunch or a cup of tea. The landing stage is a 10 minute walk from the Moot Hall in the centre of Keswick. Follow Follow Lake Road past Hope Park towards the Theatre by the Lake. The launches sail to a regular timetable and pick up and drop off at various points round the lake.
Shopping
The pedestrianised Market Square is the heart of the town, surrounded by shops and hotels. Don't stop here though, you'll find unique shops down every alley and side street. If you're after a souvenir of your stay, you'll find art galleries just off the main square that sell photographs, paintings, pottery and jewellery by local artists and craftspeople.
If you need any hiking or camping supplies, Keswick is the place to come. In fact, you'll find a surprising range of retailers here. There are a number of different shopping areas, make sure you check out Packhorse Court, just off the Market Square, Lake Road and St John's Street as well as Station Street and Tithebarn Street.
The Moot Hall
This beautiful building stands in the centre of Keswick. Here you'll find the Lake District National Park Tourist Information Centre. and an excellent starting point for planning your adventures during your stay. It was built in 1813 on the site of an earlier building. It was used in the past as a covered market, a courthouse, Town Hall, a place of worship, a museum and a prison. Its one-handed clock strikes the hour only.
Activities
A short walk from the Market Square are two large public parks offering games facilities such as pitch and putt and crazy golf. Hope Park is one of Keswick's major attractions positioned between the town and Derwentwater with beautifully tended gardens. Fitz Park has a superb children's play area, BMX track, space for running about and ball games as well as riverside picnic tables.
