Derwentwater

Winter attractions - Popular winter hillwalking and winter mountaineering weekend courses run from YHA Derwentwater. The Borrowers at Theatre by the Lake.

Walking - There are numerous walks starting from just outside the door ranging from easy strolls around Lake Derwentwater to more challenging High Fell walks. Detailed routes and maps are available from reception.

Watersports - Platty+ Water Sports Centre, 1 mile from YHA Derwentwater at Lodore Landings for hire and tuition for kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing Tel: 017687 77282/76512 www.plattyplus.co.uk.

Keswick Launch - Enjoy a day out on the lake just taking in the views, or use the hop-on, hop-off service to get around. www.keswick-launch.co.uk.

Cycling/Mountain Biking - Spectacular road cycling if you don’t mind steep hills! The Coast to Coast cycle route is also nearby. Mountain bike hire is available in Keswick Tel: 01768 775202

Climbing - Borrowdale has a superb range of routes from easy scrambles to modern test pieces. For high mountain crags, Gillercombe Buttress and The Great Napes are easily reached from the head of the valley.

Orienteering/Children’s trail – YHA Derwentwater has it’s own small orienteering, tree and photo trails. There is a good selection of orienteering courses and trails at the Whinlatter Forestry Park.

Horse riding - Available at Rooking House Farm (11 miles) Tel: 01768 483561. Pony Trekking is available at Park Foot Tel: 01768 486696

Golf/Pitch & Putt/Putting - Keswick has an 18 hole golf course. Tel: 01768 779324. Pitch and Putt, putting and crazy golf can be found in Hope Park.

Fishing - Licences for fishing in Lake Derwentwater are available from the Information Centre at the Moot Hall, Keswick Tel: 01768 772645 or at Keswick Post Office.

Rookin House Farm (11 miles) offers a range of different and unique activities including go-karting, Amphibious Truck, Human Bowling and Assault Course.  Tel: 01768 483561 or visit www.rookinhouse.co.uk Greystoke Castle offers similar exotic pastimes. Tel: 01768 483722

Multi-activity courses can be arranged by Keswick Climbing Wall and include ghyll scrambling, canoeing, climbing and mountain biking. www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk Tel: 01768 772000

Places of interest

Theatre by the Lake – Keswick  (2.5 miles) Film and literary festivals, plays aimed at children, and a cafe. Tel: 017687 74411 www.theatrebythelake.com

Whinlatter Forestry Centre (7 miles) A visitor centre, cafe and mixed ability walks set in a large forestry reserve.
Tel: 017687 78469. www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5gzlny

Osprey View Point (6 miles) April to September
www.ospreywatch.co.uk

Mirehouse (6 miles) Children's adventure playground, beautiful gardens, cafe and a fine mansion. Tel: 017687 72287 www.mirehouse.com

Rheged (16 miles) Europe's largest underground grass covered building, with the National Mountaineering Exhibition, an Imax cinema, shopping, cafes and even an outdoor adventure playground.
Tel: 01768 868000 www.rheged.com

Honister Slate Mine (7 miles) Experience guided tours of this working slate mine, try the adrenalin-inducing via ferrata, or just enjoy the stunning setting at the top of the pass.
Tel: 017687 77230 Visit www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk

The Puzzling Place (Keswick) Let your mind boggle in this gallery of optical illusions.
Tel: 01768 775102 www.puzzlingplace.co.uk

Trotters World of Animals (10 miles) All sorts of animals from wallabys to lemurs to emus.
Tel: 017687 76239 www.trottersworld.com

Jennings Brewery Tour (15 miles) Sample some local beers from this brewery which has been located in Cockermouth since 1874. Tel: 0845 1297190 www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk

Lake District Coast Aquarium (25 miles) See the fish being fed at this Maryport aquarium.
Tel: 01900 817760 www.lakedistrict-coastaquarium.co.uk

There are many other things to see and do in the surrounding area, details of which are available upon arrival at YHA Derwentwater.