Our recommendations for things to do, local events, and where to eat (day or night), in and around Keswick.
Catering & Entertainment
Looking to create a special event or fully catered holiday at Derwentwater House? We’ve put together a list of recommended catering & entertainment providers and entertainment options.
Catering & entertainment providers »
Eating Out
The Chalet
Portinscale (5 min walk)
—
Tea room by day, restaurant in the evening. Informal yet stylish. (££)
Visit website »
The Lingholm Kitchen
Portinscale (10 min walk)
—
Beatrix Potters greatest inspiration and now popular Lakeland destination for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Serving a range of locally sourced foods alongside artisan breads and cakes which are all made in the adjoining Lingholm Bakery. (££)
Visit website »
The Farmers Arm
Portinscale (10 min walk)
—
Portinscale’s village pub, serving good beer and food. (£)
Visit website »
The Pheasant Inn
Crosthwaite Road, Keswick (5 min drive)
—
Just a 5 minute stagger from the house is a great local pub serving Jennings Beer, good pub fare served by friendly hosts. (£)
Visit website »
The Round
Market Square, Keswick (10 min drive)
—
Offering great tasting burgers (including vegan and vegetarian options), using local ingredients, homemade sauces and inventive twists on classic combinations. Cocktails are crafted with love and there is a wide enough selection to suit all tastes. Failing that, the beers, wines and soft drinks should have you covered. (££)
Visit website »
Brossen Steakhouse
Market Square, Keswick (10 min drive)
—
Brossen Steakhouse Restaurant is all about spectacular meat and proper stunning food. (£££)
Visit website »
Treeby & Bolton
Lake Road, Keswick (10 min drive)
—
Art Gallery and cafe in Keswick, serving great lunches. One of The Independent’s top 50 coffee shops in the UK. Same family ownership as Derwentwater House. (££)
Visit website »
Cottage in the Wood
Whinlatter Forest (10 min drive)
—
Fine dining for smaller parties. We advise booking. (£££)
Visit website »
Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant
Borrowdale (10 min drive)
—
Award-winning pan-Asian restaurant in the Lake District. Serving Japanese, Malaysian & Thai-inspired dishes. Expect sensational sushi and sashimi, crisp tempura, fragrant curries and delicately spiced bowls of ramen, as well as tender meat, chicken and fish dishes from the grill, Mizu-style. (£££)
Visit website »
The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake (10 min drive)
—
Steeped in history, this is a great restaurant and bar serving cumbrian food and also a country-style bistro. (£££)
Visit website »
Indoor Activities
Jennings Brewery
Cockermouth
—
Take a brewery tour and taste our local ales.
Visit website »
Honister Slate Mine
Honister Pass, Borrowdale
—
Go deep underground with a range of mine tours. Something to suit all ages. A great day out regardless of the weather.
Visit website »
Kong Adventure
Keswick
—
State of the art indoor climbing wall and ice wall with kids soft and hard play areas adjacent. Great for all the family, especially on a wet day.
Visit website »
The Lakes Distillery
Dubwath, Bassenthwaite Lake
—
Combine a distillery tour with lunch or afternoon tea at the excellent bistro style restaurant at The Lakes Distillery next to Bassenthwaite Lake… a great day out.
Visit website »
Pencil Museum
Keswick
—
What better place to entertain the kids if the weather is a little inclement.
Visit website »
Theatre by the Lake
Keswick
—
Our jewel in the crown, the lakeside theatre offers year round entertainment for every taste… not to be missed.
Visit website »
Outdoor Activities
Derwentwater Marina
Portinscale
—
On the shore of Derwentwater. Sailing boats, rowing boats for fishing, windsurfers, canoes, are all available for hire or with instruction.
Visit website »
Watendlath Trout Fishery
Watendlath
—
Try fishing for trout at Watendlath Tarn, an idyllic place to visit.
Visit website »
Go Ape!
Whinlatter Forest
—
This is a fabulous adventure experience for all ages, set in Whinlatter Forest, a ten minute drive from The House it offers thrills without spills for all ages.
Visit website »
Keswick Golf Club
Threlkeld
—
A challenging 18 hole course at Threlkeld. Great golf and fabulous scenery.
Visit website »
Keswick Launch
Portinscale, Keswick, Borrowdale
—
The best way to explore Derwentwater. A launch service on your doorstep just 15 minutes walk to Nichols End, pick up a launch for a scenic trip to Keswick or to any of the six stops in the Borrowdale valley.
Visit website »
E-Venture Bikes
Keswick
—
The largest bike hire fleet in the Lake District, including both regular pedal bikes and e-bikes. The E-Venture team are cycle enthusiasts and they know the area like the back of their hand. Get advice on the routes that will suit you best – they’ll even provide you with custom-made maps, complete with instructions.
Visit website »
Keswick Extreme
Portinscale, Keswick
—
Outdoor activities and corporate events including ghyll scrambling, canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling, and white water tubing.
Visit website »
The Lake District Wildlife Park
Bassenthwaite Lake
—
Wander around the beautiful 24 acre parkland and see over 100 species. Ten minute drive from the house, kids will love it!
Visit website »
Osprey Watch
Bassenthwaite Lake
—
The Ospreys have returned for nesting for the past nine years to Bassenthwaite Lake, majestic birds flying free in a wonderful setting.
Visit website »
Via Ferrata at Honister
Honister Pass, Borrowdale
—
Honister puts the adventure in our adventure capital. The UK’s best Via Ferrata and the thrilling Infinity Bridge make for an exhilarating experience on the fells.
Visit website »
Whinlatter Forest Centre
Whinlatter Forest
—
Biking, walking, Go Ape and miles of trails to explore. Whinlatter Forest Centre is a 10 minute drive from the house.
Visit website »
Keswick Tourism
—
The Keswick Tourism site is worth exploring for local events, ideas for days out, and recommendations of places to eat along with entertainment options.
Visit website »
Spa & Treatments
Armathwaite Hall Spa
Bassenthwaite Lake
—
For the ladies and maybe the gentlemen too, experience and relax at this top class spa. A mere 15 minute drive away.
Visit website »
Spa & Beauty Treatments
At the house
—
Pamper yourselves with in-house spa and beauty treatments.
Contact Sharon at Star Beauty on 017687 75945, Instagram, Facebook.
Therapeutic Massages
At the house
—
Indulge yourself with a relaxing therapeutic massage. Katie offers in-house personal treatments and whilst she specialises in sports and deep tissue therapy she is trained in all aspects remedial massage.
Contact Katie at Lakeland Massage on 07989 973 644 or visit lakelandmassage.co.uk for further info.
More Accommodation
Bristowe Hill
Keswick, The Lake District
—
Bring together up to twenty of your nearest and dearest in a wonderful Lake District country house with five acres of private garden and grounds.
Visit website »
Villa La Herradura
La Herradura, South Spain
—
Or perhaps if a little Spanish sunshine appeals our luxury self-catering villa accommodates 9 guests in great comfort.
Visit website »