Moot Hall

Overview

Moot Hall, or The Moot Hall, is one of the most recognisable buildings in the market town of Keswick, in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Situated in the centre of the town, in Market Square, Moot Hall was built in 1813 and is now home to Keswick Information Centre, where you can find out more about the town’s history and get advice for planning your visit from local experts.

Moot Hall is a great place to stop off as you explore Keswick. Admire the building’s features from the outside and pop in to find out more about attractions in the area, public transport, and to check out the exhibitions that are displayed throughout the year.

A visit to Moot Hall is a perfect way to spend an hour or so in Keswick – especially if it’s a rainy day!

What is the history of Moot Hall?

It is thought that there was a building on the site of the current Moot Hall as far back as the 1500s, when Keswick played an important role in the copper mining industry of the area. It was then an old courthouse, which was taken over by Richard Dudley of Yanwath, a copper collector appointed by Queen Elizabeth. He had it repaired to use as a place to weigh, mark, and coin the copper.

Moot Hall (or some older variation of it) has been repaired and rebuilt over the years with many different owners and purposes. In 1664, it was owned by Sir Francis Radcliffe.

The current building is dated 1813 and cost the trustees of the Royal Greenwich Hospital almost £1,200 to build. In the 1820s, the lower floor was used as a market and sold produce such as eggs, butter, and meat. The first floor continued to be used as a courthouse to settle claims over land.

Moot Hall later became a museum, housing Flintoft’s Model, a model showing all the features of the Lake District. The Keswick Literary Society moved its collection of rocks, birds, and butterflies in during 1878. The town council bought Moot Hall in 1896.

In the 1970s, the Tourist Information Centre was opened on the ground floor before the Lake District National Park authority leased the building in 2000, renovating it completely. It then became the Keswick Information Centre.

What is inside Moot Hall?

On the ground floor of Moot Hall, you’ll find the Keswick Information Centre with everything you need to know about Keswick. A knowledgeable team is on hand to help point you in the right direction.

You’ll also find:

Free Wi-Fi
Advice on walking and cycling routes in the area
Attraction and event leaflets
Travel advice – road, train, bus, and boat
Lake District maps
Locally produced gifts for sale
Guidebooks for sale
Greeting cards and postcards, along with postage stamps

The top floor of Moot Hall is an art gallery which holds various exhibitions throughout the year.

Is Moot Hall accessible?

The Keswick Information Centre at Moot Hall has disabled access.

Features of the Moot Hall building

Moot Hall is a Grade II listed building and a striking feature of the town. It has a bell and clock tower with an unusual one-handed clock that was restored a few years ago. Keep an eye out for the bars on the ground-floor windows, which could suggest that the building was used as a prison at one time.

Other free things to do in Keswick

As Moot Hall is best visited as part of a trip to Keswick, here are some other free things to do in the town:

Makers Mill Gallery

If visiting Moot Hall has given you a taste for arts and crafts, then your next stop should be Makers Mill Gallery. Here you’ll find a gallery displaying works from local artists, plus four open studio spaces where you can watch makers at work.

Fitz Park

One of the best parks in the Lake District, there’s something for all the family at Fitz Park. Adults will love strolling along the paths and stopping for a picnic with views of the fells, while kids will enjoy letting off steam on the outdoor play area.

Go on a walk

Keswick is the starting point for lots of fantastic walking routes, including Castlerigg Stone Circle, Latrigg, and Catbells. From some spectacular fells to ancient monuments, there’s something for everyone.

How to get to Moot Hall from YHA Keswick

The address and postcode for Moot Hall is Market Square, Keswick, CA12 5JR. Moot Hall is very close to YHA Keswick, which enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of the market town. It is just 0.2 miles (0.3 kilometres) away, and so the best way to get there is on foot.

From YHA Keswick, turn left onto Station Road, which then becomes Station Street. Turn right at the end of the road and walk ahead to Market Square, and you should see Moot Hall in front of you.

If you decide to drive, there are several pay and display car parks in the area, including: