Local Area

What to see and do during your Lake District holiday

Oh my goodness, you are spoilt for choice. So much to do, so little time! Pack a picnic and enjoy a lakeside or fell top sunset, or get up early and watch a stunning sunrise whilst everyone else sleeps. As the saying goes: "Think outside - no box required".

Take to the water on a steamer along Lake Ullswater or Derwentwater and walk back along the lake shores, hire a rowing boat, try your hand at stand up paddle boarding, go kayaking, take a sailing lesson, or why not have an exhilarating wild swim.

There are just too many lovely walks to list, there is something for ALL ages, ability and mobility. Nearby there is golfing, fishing, all sorts of outdoor workshops and craft courses going on, or why not try your hand at one of the many exciting activities on offer at Rookin House Farm Outdoor Activity Centre just down the road. It offers a wide range of activities such as quad-bikes, pony trekking, archery and clay pigeon shooting.

Visit a historic house, open gardens, nature reserves, browse the local independent shops, galleries and crafty places: they love to talk to folk about their craft and demonstrate their skills so be sure to buy a souvenir from them.

As outdoorsy folk we love to chat and hear about your ideas for things to do and places to go, and will happily help plan routes, ideas, places to shop and eat etc, just call up at reception.

Can't wait to hear what you've got planned!

Keswick

Our nearest town is Keswick an attractive market town sitting on the shores of Derwentwater, offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

As one of the main centres of Outdoor Activities in the UK, an extensive selection of Adventure Activity companies, guides and instructors for all abilities are based around here.

There are excelling eating places, boat hire, a cinema and excellent shopping facilities all set within beautiful scenery.

The Keswick Museum & Art Gallery is a Victorian museum, hardly changed today since it was created, with a local history collection, and original manuscripts from the Lake Poets.

The Theatre by the Lake produces traditional summer seasons of drama, film screenings, music and festivals (including the Keswick Mountain Festival and ‘Words by the Water’). It hosts regular arts and crafts exhibitions and other day-time activities

Ullswater 'Steamers'

Just relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery aboard one of the Ullswater 'Steamers'. These are within easy reach, operating between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.

Operating one of the largest heritage boat fleets in the world, Ullswater 'Steamers' offers visitors an unforgettable experience 363 days a year. The three historic vessels date from Victorian times and 2 have been operating on Ullswater for almost 160 years!

The cruises connect to some of the most famous and iconic walking routes in the Lake District National Park, with views of Wordsworth's daffodils on the west shore in spring.

Read more about Ullswater 'Steamers'

Lake cruises on Derwentwater

A cruise on Derwentwater is a very special way of discovering the Northern Lake District. Enjoy a lake cruise on one of the Keswick Launches and experience the beauty of Derwentwater with breathtaking views of the surrounding fells. Enjoy special views of Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain, Catbells, and the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’.

Take the 50 minute round boat trip or disembark at one of the eight jetties en-route and take a lakeland walk via well-marked paths to famous landmarks such as Ashness Bridge, Lodore Falls, Grange in Borrowdale, Brandelhow and Lingholm, holiday home of Beatrix Potter.

Hop on and off to enjoy a walk. Our four launches have open and covered decks and operate on a regular timetable throughout the year. Private launch hire is available for special events such as weddings and birthdays. Rowing boats and self-drive motor boats are also available to hire, so you can explore the lake at your own pace.