Arts and culture
On the edge of Keswick you'll find the Theatre by the Lake, which first opened its doors in 1999. The venue has a 400-seat Main House and a 100-seat Studio and between them they show up to nine performances of classic and modern plays over the year. The venue is home to a range of festivals too.
The impressive Victorian Keswick Museum features a wide and eclectic range of exhibits stretching back to Roman times. There can't be many places where you will find displayed a 500-year old mummified cat, a set of musical stones and a penny farthing. There are also plenty of items on show that represent the history of the surrounding area.
Things to do in Keswick
The Pencil Museum in Keswick presents an interactive history of the humble scribbling and drawing implement. Discover the pencil's origin, beginning with the discovery of graphite in the area over 500 years ago, and learn a trick or two from professional artists while coming up with your own work of art.
The only true mountain forest in England is located at Whinlatter, just 5 miles from Keswick. Here you'll have the run of 1,200 hectares of spruce, pine and larch woodland forest which reaches a peak of 790m. A tremendous day out for the whole family, there are cycle paths, a tree-top adventure course and the chance to see that rarity, the red squirrel!
For something more sedate but no less enjoyable, the small but perfectly formed Keswick Alhambra is an independent cinema that comes with a great reputation. Nearly a century old, the Alhambra shows the newest blockbusters, as well as classic films of yesteryear, many of which are still screened using traditional 35mm film projectors.
Eating and drinking in Keswick
There are a great range of cafés, restaurants and pubs in Keswick to satisfy all tastes. The Saddleback Café welcomes everyone from walkers to cyclists with its selection of British and Mediterranean dishes as well as a vegetarian menu, tea, coffee and cakes.
True to its name, the Dog & Gun is a canine-friendly pub that provides water for your beloved pooch. This traditional, timber-beamed tavern extends a warm welcome, a selection of real ales and good food.
Shopping in and around Keswick
One of the many virtues of Keswick is that you escape crowded high streets and shopping centres. However, there are plenty of independent speciality shops selling things like pottery and antiques and, of course, there's a great choice of outdoor clothing and equipment stores to ensure you have everything you need when tackling the wilds of Keswick. There's a market on Thursday and Saturday selling local produce and crafts.
