What to do in Keswick, England: 3 itineraries to suit your mood

You’re heading out for a day in Keswick and want the perfect itinerary. Lucky you – our guide on what to do in Keswick, Cumbria, presents three ways to spend a day there, depending on the vibe you’re after. 

Our three ready-made itineraries include:

• A relaxed, sociable day of Keswick markets, cafés, and independent shops
• A walk and wander day with big views and culture in Keswick
• A family-friendly day in Keswick, including Derwent Water boat trips, parks, and activities kids will love

Itinerary #1: A relaxed day in Keswick town centre 

Best for: Couples, solo travellers, leisurely explorers

Highlights: Keswick Market, Friars Crag, independent shops, and cafés

Pace: Easy

Walking: Moderate and interspersed

Keswick’s cute, pedestrianised, winding streets make it ideal for a day of mooching. In this chilled Keswick itinerary, we’ve thrown in an easy walk to enjoy the scenic surrounds of the town too. 

Morning: Keswick market and shops

Park at the long-stay Central Car Park on Heads Road and head into Market Square, with the historic Moot Hall at its centre.

Visit on a Thursday or Saturday and browse Keswick Market (9am-4.30pm). It stretches the length of the main street, and its stalls are packed with local cheeses, honey, handmade jewellery, and slate crafts.

Then lose yourself in Keswick’s winding side streets. Explore Packhorse Court, Lake Road,  and St John’s Street, and pop into:

• The Makers Mill for local arts and crafts
• Alternative for quirky gifts
• Poets Interiors for vintage treasures
• Friars for artisan chocolates
• Yonder for coffee and homemade treats

Midday: Easy walk from Keswick 

Take the easy 2-mile return walk to Friars Crag. In around 40 minutes, you’ll be rewarded with one of the Lake District’s most celebrated views: Derwentwater and its island-dotted waters framed by the Borrowdale fells.

Afterwards, grab food in Keswick town or pick up market goodies and settle in Crow Park.

Afternoon: Browsing and fun in Keswick

Before heading back to your Lake District accommodation, choose what to do in Keswick town centre for your final browse. We suggest:

• The Puzzling Place for an hour of optical illusions and anti-gravity fun
• The Cheese Deli for Cumbrian cheeses, chutneys and local drinks
• Northern Lights Gallery and Bookends for a leisurely peruse

Itinerary #2: Keswick walk and wander day

Best for: Active visitors and first-time visitors

Highlights: Walla Crag, Keswick Museum, and Castlerigg Stone Circle

Pace: Moderate

Walking: 5-6 miles

Pair a rewarding fell walk with an afternoon of discovery in Keswick town, with two of Keswick’s most interesting attractions. This day covers all the bases without rushing any of them.

Morning: Walla Crag walk

Start the Walla Crag walk from Moot Hall in the town centre and follow this 5-6 mile circular route through Springs Wood to Walla Crag (379m). In around 2.5-3 hours, you’ll experience sweeping views over Derwentwater, Keswick, and the Skiddaw range. Descend via Friars Crag and the lakeshore back into town.

Lunch: Pack a picnic to enjoy with a view, or refuel at one of Keswick’s cafés before the afternoon.

Afternoon: Keswick tourist attractions

Visit Keswick Museum in Fitz Park (free entry). The museum is home to the Musical Stones of Skiddaw, a 700-year-old mummified cat, and fascinating local history.

Next, head out for a short drive or 30-minute walk to Castlerigg Stone Circle. This English Heritage site is one of the oldest and best-preserved stone circles in Europe, dating back to around 3,000 BC. 

Set on an open plateau just east of Keswick, an epic panorama of Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Helvellyn ranges frames the 38 standing stones. Entry is free, and watching the sunset here alongside the ancient stones is a magical experience. 

Itinerary #3: Keswick family day out

Best for: Families with children of all ages

Highlights: Keswick Launch, lakeside walks, parks and the Pencil Museum

Pace: Easy

Walking: Light and self-moderated

Keswick is one of the best places in the Lake District for families. If you’re wondering what to do in Keswick with kids, here are the best activities for families with kids of all ages. 

Morning: Head to Derwent Water

Kids of all ages will love Derwent Water boat trips, so start the day on the Keswick Launch. The hop-on-hop-off boat service links four lakeside landing stages. Choose either clockwise or anti-clockwise routes and mix short sailings with easy lakeshore walks between stops.

For a worthwhile detour, hop off at Lodore Jetty and take the short walk to Lodore Falls. The falls are especially impressive after rain!

Midday: Keswick lakeside lunch

Head back into Keswick for lunch at Crow Park, a wide open green space right on the water’s edge, where kids can run around.

For a sit-down option, the lakeside café at Theatre by the Lake is just a short stroll away.

Afternoon: Keswick parks and exploration

Walk into Keswick town for a relaxed afternoon of family-friendly fun. 

Visit Hope Park, which has crazy golf, remote control boats, ride-on tractors, and pretty woodland walks. There’s also a café if the grown-ups are ready for an afternoon brew.

Derwent Pencil Museum is a big hit with kids thanks to spy pencils, hidden maps, and the world’s largest coloured pencil!

Is Keswick worth visiting? 

Yes, Keswick is worth visiting because it’s a charming market town surrounded by stunning natural beauty. 

Keswick sits in the Northern Lakes beneath the impressive Skiddaw (931m), while the “Queen of the Lakes”, Derwentwater, lies just a stone’s throw away.

Its postcard-perfect setting makes it easy to see why Keswick attracts thousands of visitors each year. Easily reached via the A66 from Penrith and the M6, or the A591 from the Central and South Lakes, it’s the perfect base for exploring. 

Enjoy your day out in Keswick from a Coppermines Lakes Cottage

Keswick is a perfect day trip when staying in the Lake District. Whether you’re hiking above Derwentwater, browsing independent shops, or exploring the lake, it’s an easy, rewarding day out that always feels special. 

When the day winds down, Lake District holiday cottages provide the perfect place to return to – space to slow down, put the kettle on, and plan the next day! And if you’re bringing your furry friend, our pet friendly Lake District cottages really feel like a home from home.