Places to stay in Keswick

Boats on Derwentwater at Keswick at dusk

Welcome to Keswick

Explore the Lake District National Park from Keswick.

The market town of Keswick is surrounded by picturesque mountains and lakes and is home to the novel Pencil Museum where you can find out the history of pencils. Keswick is the perfect location for an activity break with great walking and cycling available on the doorstep.

YHA hostels in Keswick

Search for somewhere to stay in Keswick

Things to do in Keswick

Five free things to do in Keswick

Climb a mountain

Overlooking Keswick is one of the tallest peaks in the Lake District, Skiddaw. Climbing this mountain is not for the faint-hearted; it is a steep walk to the top but an achievement you can look back on proudly.

Enjoy the water

Keswick is next to Derwentwater, which is three miles long and one mile wide, giving you plenty of picturesque shoreline to walk around, sit and relax by, or even take a dip in!

Cycling

If you take your bicycle along, you'll be rewarded with a host of great riding routes to suit all ages and fitness levels - on and off-road.

The Puzzling Place

This museum in the town centre is full of extraordinary optical illusions and puzzles guaranteed to leave you scratching your head.

Fitz Park

Fitz Park is a great place for families, as adults can enjoy strolling through the beautiful countryside or play a little miniature golf, while kids can have hours of fun on the extensive outdoor play area.

Enjoy an activity break in the Lakes

There is a reason why the Lake District is the number one UK holiday destination for many outdoor enthusiasts - the sheer range of different things to see and do. The vast lakes themselves provide opportunities for all manner of watersports from canoeing to windsurfing and sailing, while the hills provide great walking, climbing and cycling routes, and endless caves to explore within them.

A week spent in the Lakes is often not enough for all the activities on offer, but Keswick is a great place to base your stay, providing ready access to all of them and plenty of local amenities.

View some of our popular Keswick blog posts

Father walking with two children

Why we love YHA Keswick

An old woollen mill beside the rushing River Greta, YHA Keswick is a great choice for a winter or spring family break. Though it doesn’t have its own outdoor space it’s right by lovely Fitz Park, which offers...

View of Lake District

Three days in the Lake District

Ah, the Lakes. Offering beautiful views and many great things to do, the Lake District National Park is an iconic base for the thousands of visitors each year. A mini-break in the Lakes can be a great destination...

Dog

Dog friendly youth hostels

Dog owners can take advantage of our range of dog-friendly youth hostels that offer camping pods, cabins, tipis, bell tents and pitch up facilities in their grounds...