5 Traditional Pubs In and Around Keswick

The UK is famed all over the world for our traditional country pubs. With the old wood beams, comfortable chairs (or bar stool) and a menu where you can guarantee some classic dishes (think fish and chips, burgers and pies).

We’re very lucky to have so many great pubs so close to us. In fact the Eden district (which we are just 1 mile from) was voted the UKs number 1 place to live, in part by the high ratio of pubs per person. That’s the kind of stat we like.

This list is just a quick one and covers a range of pubs, from the ones in Keswick to the surrounding area.

 

Swinside Inn

The Swinside Inn is probably one of our favourite pubs in the area. At the foot of Cat Bells and with panoramic views all around the Newlands Valley it’s the perfect country pub for lunch or tea (dinner for the southerners).

swinsideinn.co.uk

 

Dog and Gun

It might well be a Green King Pub, but it’s a good one. A firm favourite of our guests. Very dog friendly and delicious food, right int he middle of Keswick

www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/cumbria/dog-gun/

 

The Wainwright

The Wainwright is a cracking independent pub right in the middle of town. Boasting an mind boggling array of local ales it’s the perfect place to enjoy a post walk pint.

www.thewainwright.pub

 

The Pheasant Inn

It would be very hard to beat the Pheasant Inn, Keswick for food. This cosy 17th Century pub is a short stroll from the centre of Keswick and a perfect place for an evening meal of Sunday lunch option. Get your booking in early to avoid dissapointment.

thepheasantinnkeswick.co.uk

 

Kings Head

The Kings Head  at the foot of Helvellyn and Dunmail Raise is the ideal place for a celebratory end of day pint. Just a couple of miles from Low Nest put your feet up in front of the roaring fire and enjoy the ambience of this old Inn, which was once a vital stop before and after travelling over Dunmail Raise.

www.lakedistrictinns.co.uk/kings-head

 

 

 

Top 5 National Trust Places In The Lake District

The National Trust is synonymous with the Lake District. This might be in part due to it’s connection to Mrs Hellis (Beatrix Potter), who used her mass of wealth to purchase, preserve and then donate vast numbers of farms and acres of land to the National Trust. But there’s far more than just land and farms to be enjoyed in the Lakes.

This really is a short list of National trust properties int he Lake District. You can find more here.

 

Aira Force

National Trust Aira Force Lake District

There are plenty of waterfalls in the Lake District, we can see some from Low Nest. But none are like Aira Force. The National Trust have done a great job of creating a lovely little walk from the bottom car park, winding up one side of the beck through ancient woodlands and over traditional lakeland stone bridges to give a spectacular view of the falls from multiple locations.

While it can be bashed out in less than an hour; we’d recommend you to take your time and enjoy the woods and surrounding areas. There is a cafe, but also a picnic area by the main car park so you can enjoy an al alfresco lunch. This could be a great stop off if you are visiting Ullswater for the day.

 

Hill Top Farm

Hill Top Farm National Trust Lake District

Explore Mr Macgregor’s garden and get a glimpse into Beatrix Potters life at the house that she called home for much of her life in the Lake District. You can see what made this place so special and how it inspired her to preserve other farms like it (such as nearby Yew Tree Farm, the set of the movie Mrs Potter). Outside you can explore her famous gardens and take a walk to Moss Eccles Tarn.

 

Wordsworth House and Gardens

Wordsworth House and Gardens National Trust Lake District

“The loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.

Discover the place that bred and inspired one of Englands greatest poets and laureates. Far more than just a house you can explore the gardens that captivated a young William and gave him a life long passion for gardening. Whats more; situated in Cockermouth on the edge of the Lake District, this is the perfect place to escape the busier in the central lakes at peak season.

 

Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows National Trust Lake District

If you’re ever exploring between Ambleside and Coniston then we thoroughly recommend stopping off and having a lovely stroll round Tarn Hows. This man made tarn offers a gentle yet very picturesque 2 mile walk, which can take an hour or 2 depending on how often you stop to admire the stunning scenery.

 

Fell Foot

Situated at the bottom of Windermere the ground of this old country residence boasts a lovely manicured old country garden with quaint boathouses, rowing boat hire and plenty of space to enjoy a picnic. As a kid Alasdair’s family would take their canoe and boat down here.

What To Do When It Rains In The Lake District?

I don’t think we’re breaking any news that it rains in the Lake District. The lush green fells need a regular soaking to keep themselves looking so good. But what to do when the heavens have opened? First of all; don’t worry, there’s loads of great things you can do when it’s raining in the Lake District, and in the surrounding area.

 

Things to do around Keswick

There’s lots of things you can do around Keswick when it’s raining. From the bustling markets and quaint cafes of the town itself, to the sophisticated distillery tours and historic mining museums. But for those who like to keep active the old slate mines at Honister are an ideal dryish activity, while the Keswick climbing wall also boasts a cafe! Here’s a few of our ideas for you

 

The Lakes Distillery
Fine food and extra fine booze. What’s not to love. Not just a maker of exquisite gin, The Lakes Distillery is the crafter of the finest English Whisky. As well as tours of the distillery there are numerous tasting experiences and a delicious bistro.

www.lakesdistillery.com/

 

Keswick Brewery
You can never tour too many breweries! Keswicks brewery not only offers tours, but also has its own bar.

www.keswickbrewery.co.uk/

 

Honister Slate Mines
Learn about the fascinating history of slate mining in the Lake District while exploring the old mine shafts.

www.honister.com/product/mine-tours/

 

Threlkeld Railway and Quarry Museum
Pan for (fake) gold while you wait for the narrow guage train to take you up the steep track to the top of the mine where you can explore old exavators.

www.threlkeldquarryandminingmuseum.co.uk

 

The Puzzling Place
Enjoy optical illusions and puzzling puzzles. A great quick town escape.

www.puzzlingplace.mobi/

 

Keswick Launch
Huddle inside one of the Keswick Launches and enjoy the spectacular scenery around Derwent Water.

www.keswick-launch.co.uk/

 

Kong Adventures
Whether a total novice or experienced climber Kong Adventure, in the centre of Keswick is a great active wet weather option.

www.kongadventure.com/

 

Keswick Climbing Wall
Just a 20 minute walk from Low Nest, next to the Castlerigg stone circles is Keswick Climbing Wall. Great for experienced and newbie climbers, with the added bonus of a cafe!

www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk

 

Lakeland Culture

Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museumwww.wordsworth.org.uk

Heaton Cooper Studiowww.heatoncooper.co.uk

World of Peter Rabbitwww.hop-skip-jump.com

Windermere Jetty Museumwww.lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum

Hill Top Farmwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top

Wordsworth Schoolwww.hawksheadgrammar.org.uk

Wordsworth House and Gardenswww.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house-and-garden

Brantwood, Conistonwww.brantwood.org.uk

Muncaster Castlewww.muncaster.co.uk

 

Trains, Boats and Wildlife

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railwaywww.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railwaywww.lakesiderailway.co.uk

Windermere Jetty Museumwww.lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum

Lakes Aquariumwww.lakesaquarium.co.uk

Coast Aquarium, Maryportwww.coastaquarium.co.uk

Lake District Wildlife Parkwww.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk

 

 

Get On The Water

Ullswater Steamerwww.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Keswick Launchwww.keswick-launch.co.uk

Windermere Cruiseswww.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Coniston Gondalawww.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondol

Self Drive Motor Boat – All the main lakes have self drive motor boats available to hire. Most have an en closed cabin so you can enjoy the beauty of the lakes, but in the comfort of the sheltered cabin.

 

Get Active

Kong Adventurewww.kongadventure.com

Keswick Climbing Wallwww.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk

Ambleside Climbing Wallwww.amblesideadventure.co.uk/ambleside-wall

Kendal Climbing Wallwww.kendalwall.co.uk

 

Finally

One last option; grab a coat and get out for a lovely walk in the rain. If the weather forecast is bad then we wouldn’t recommend doing anything to high or out of your comfort zone. But the rain gives a whole new dimension to the views you’d normally get. Particularly round tarns and lakes. As Billy Connolly says: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. So grab ya wellies and enjoy the Lake District at one of its finest moments.

Sheep Jumping Ship!

After purchasing the land we were delighted to see stretches of new fencing along the tracks; however once we started putting sheep in the fields it was like a leaking ship. Actually it was more like the Mary Rose at points with not just agile lambs, but lame ewes escaping.

It transpired that shortly before the sale the previous owner decided to start putting in some new fencing, but before they could finish the job the land sale went through so some fields wen’t livestock proof. The crafty ewes had not only found their way onto the main track, but got under a second fence into a second field, broke through a third fence back onto the same initial track but on the other side of the gate and then into a third field. Confused? Welcome to herding sheep.

We have a complex contract; in that we are in charge of maintaining the land, including fences. Trevor, who rents the land, hasn’t said anything, but he’s too nice. So I decided to go and try to fix the fence.

Previously I’ve only seen 2 or 3 ewes in the escaped fields, but as I arrived to fix the fence I was confronted by dozens of ewes! Crap.

After fixing the gap under the fencing with a couple of old wooden gates and rocks I began to herd the old girls back in through the gates. As I calmly guided them with a readable amount of directional pressure they all made their way nice and calmly into the field. Boom, job done. I closed the gate and felt quite elated. But I’d missed one. Bugger. Sheep have a herding instinct, when they get scared the mass together and follow a leader. So 100 sheep can be easier to move than 1.

The dumb ewe kept trying to get through a gap I’d boarded up, but one that was under shrubs so I just couldn’t get close to grab her. In the end she bolted into the 3rd field. As I approached I saw another ewe in there; no problem I can grab the two of them, job done. But once in the field I could see was a whole flock in there. That was it, towel thrown in, time for the experts on 4 legs. There’s no human match to a good working collie, so i called Trevor in with his dog Roy.

While pissed I missed the one ewe there was great self satisfaction in fixing the fence and moving the majority in a fairly calm chilled movement.

The fence fixes were only temporary, once I’ve got over a recent bug I’ll have to get down and do something more permanent. I’ll keep you posted.