Fitz Park

View of Skiddaw in autumn, Lake District

Overview

Fitz Park is a large park close to the town centre of Keswick in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. With its beautiful location right next to the riverside and spectacular views over the fells of Skiddaw and Latrigg, it’s the perfect place for relaxing or playing.

Fitz Park covers around 28 acres and is split into two areas – Lower Fitz Park and Upper Fitz Park.

Children will love the multi-use games area and playground, active adults can use the gym equipment for a workout, watch the local bowling club or cricket team, or play tennis. There’s so much to do, and when you need a break, there are grassy areas and picnic benches to take advantage of.

Pack up your own picnic for a completely free day out in the Lake District with something for the whole family to enjoy. Fitz Park is great for when the weather is fine, or if it’s changeable and you don’t fancy heading out into the fells – just don your waterproofs!

Are there toilets at Fitz Park?

Toilets are available at Café West and Café HNW for paying guests. A small donation is required to help with the upkeep of the toilets if you are not a café customer.

Can I get something to eat at Fitz Park?

If you fancy a bit to eat or a cuppa, you can grab something from Café HNW in Upper Fitz Park. As well as hot drinks, the café also serves yummy snacks like cakes and churros. Free water bottle refills are also provided.

And it’s not just a café! Here you’ll also find a cycle repair station with a pump and tools, bike racks to store your bike safely, and charging for electronic devices. There is live music here on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Café HNW is also the place to go for equipment hire for tennis, bowls, putting, and table tennis, as well as tennis court hire.

There is also Café West on Station Road next to Fitz Park. The café serves a range of hot and cold food, cakes, drinks, and ice creams, and is run by West House, who provide support services and training to people with disabilities.

Is Fitz Park accessible?

There is step-free access and flat tarmac paths throughout Fitz Park. There is an accessible toilet at Café West.

Fitz Park opening times

The park itself is open 24 hours a day.

Café HNW, where you can hire equipment for games, is open seven days a week from 9.30am until 6.30pm (weather dependent).

Free things to do at Fitz Park

Picnic blanket covered with bowls of fruit and salad

Pack up a picnic

Use the well-equipped self-catering kitchen at YHA Keswick to prepare some butties for a picnic. Dine al fresco on the grass at Fitz Park or set up on one of the picnic tables.

Perfect your berms on the BMX pump track

Bring the bikes down for a blast on the BMX pump track, which is suitable for all riders from beginners to advanced. Mountain bikers and BMX riders will find berm corners, step-ups, rollers, doubles, and triples, plus some more challenging jumps if you’re more experienced. Don’t forget your helmet and pads!

Explore the children’s playground

Kids can let off some steam in the play area in the Lower Park. Climbing, sliding, swinging, and hiding are all on the agenda here, and adults can relax nearby as you keep an eye on them.

Family playing football on a summers day

Sharpen up your ball court game

There’s a multi-use games area in Fitz Park with floodlights, so you can choose from football, tennis, or basketball. Booking is on a first-come, first-served basis, and tokens for the lighting area available from YHA Keswick. There is an a charge for this and for equipment hire.

Workout on the outdoor gym equipment

Swap the gym for the fresh air of the great outdoors and the mountain scenery in the background of Fitz Park. Whether you’re bulking or shredding, you can try the gym equipment here as a great way to keep active during your holiday.

Try for a hole in one on the putting green

Budding golfers can try their hand at the 18-hole putting green here. Bring your own clubs and balls, or you can hire them from Café HNW.

How to get to Fitz Park from YHA Keswick

Fitz Park is around 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometres) from YHA Keswick. The best way to get there is to walk, which should take about seven minutes.

If you decide to drive instead, the journey should take approximately two minutes.

Parking at Fitz Park: Crosthwaite Road Car Park is a pay and display car park in Lower Fitz Park. It offers all-day parking, and you can pay by cash, card, or the RingGo app. There is some limited on-street parking available on Station Road.