Keswick Mouse Trail

Pink skies over a countryside town surrounded by mountains and trees

Overview

The Keswick Mouse Trail is a fun walking trail where you can explore Keswick as you look for Gerald the mouse and his mischievous friends who have escaped from the Keswick Cheese Deli. There are over 20 of these delightful wooden mice, and they can be found dotted around various shops around the town.

The Keswick Mouse Trail is fantastic as a free activity for families with children or as a little added extra to your explorations around the town. It’s also a good way to get to know Keswick. See how many you can spot on this exciting scavenger hunt!

How does the Keswick Mouse Trail work?

First of all, head to the starting point of the trail at the Keswick Cheese Deli. You can pick up a paper map here, or you can also find the map online ahead of your visit. The map will give you clues about where the mice are hiding, and then you’ll need to find them.

Once you’ve found them all, you can get your map stamped back at the Keswick Cheese Deli to show you’ve completed the trail. The stamped map is a lovely memento of your family holiday and the memories you’ve made together.

Little ones will love spotting these cute creatures playing hide and seek. The trail is also a good free rainy-day activity as you’ll be heading in and out of the shops. Just remember to wear your waterproof coats and bring your brollies.

What is the Keswick Mouse Trail for?

The Keswick Mouse Trail was designed to raise money and awareness for the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. The team is on call 24 hours a day and is run by dedicated volunteers. They are there to keep people safe during their adventures in the Lake District.

When you’ve completed the trail, you can get a stamp on your map, and you can choose to buy a special badge or a wooden mouse as a souvenir (although you don’t need to). Money generated from these keepsakes goes directly to the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.

It’s also designed to encourage you to explore the shops and sights of the town, and it’s one of the best free things to do in Keswick.

How long does the Keswick Mouse Trail take?

The Keswick Mouse Trail can take as long as you like. It doesn’t have to be completed in one day, and you may choose to do just a section of it, spreading it out over your stay, rather than doing it all in one go.

Where can I find the mice?

Now, we don’t want to spoil the mouse trail for you! Mice can be found all over the market town of Keswick in some of the lovely shops there. Have a look around and ask the staff in the shops, who will be more than happy to give you some clues if you can’t see them straight away.

Some of the locations include Keswick Mountain Rescue, Java Coffee Shop, and the Theatre by the Lake.

You can get the map from the Keswick Cheese Deli in Packhorse Court, where the trail starts, or you can download one online.

About Keswick

Keswick is a market town in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. It’s the most northerly town in the Lakes and is surrounded by spectacular scenery. Large fells like Skiddaw and Blencathra are nearby, as well as the Borrowdale and Buttermere valleys. The town is situated at the northern end of Derwentwater.

Keswick’s origins date back to 1181 when a Norman church and a small settlement were built nearby. Unofficial markets started popping up after church services, and then a market charter was established at a small cheese dairy in 1276, which saw the beginnings of Keswick. The name Keswick means “cheese farm.”

Boats on Derwentwater at Keswick at dusk

How to get to Keswick from YHA Borrowdale

Keswick is just over 7 miles (11.4 kilometres) from YHA Borrowdale. Catching the bus is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get there and you won’t need to worry about parking.

By public transport: There is a direct bus between YHA Borrowdale and Keswick. Catch the 77 or the 78 Borrowdale bus from Longthwaite Road end, around a six-minute walk from the Youth Hostel, before alighting at Keswick. The whole journey takes about half an hour.

Cycling: It’s an easy cycle to Keswick from the hostel along the B5289 road. It should take about 50 minutes.

By car: Driving from YHA Borrowdale to Keswick should take approximately 20 minutes. There are plenty of places to park in Keswick, including: