Blink and the next school holiday is around the corner, whether it's the long summer break, a half term, Easter, or Christmas. The question, as always, is how to keep the kids entertained?
Well, if you live nearby to or are having your family holiday in Keswick, you'll have no shortage of options.
From family-friendly outdoor adventures to educational entertainment and lots of opportunities to get out into the countryside, Keswick is a real playground for children and teenagers, as well as their parents.
Our team has lived and worked in Keswick for many years and some of us have been here all our lives, so we know all the best options for school holiday entertainment. Find something the whole family will love with our guide.
Ghyll Scrambling and Canyoning
Nothing beats the thrill of shooting down a river canyon, jumping into deep pools, and zip-wiring over waterfalls. That's why ghyll scrambling and canyoning are two of our most popular outdoor adventure activities during the school holidays! During the summer holidays especially, you'll often find us in the ghyll two or three times a day surrounded by the joyful laughter and excited screams of kids having an unforgettable time.
Ghyll scrambling is ideal if you're looking for a wild and wet time that doesn't push your boundaries too far: for kids (or parents) who are a little nervous or need extra encouragement.
Canyoning takes it up a notch and is excellent if you really want to test your mettle! It's good for adventurous kids, teenagers, or those who have already experienced and enjoyed ghyll scrambling.
The Puzzling Place
No matter the season, in the Lake District there's always a chance of rain, so it's good to know that there are some great indoor activities in Keswick, too! The Puzzling Place is a world of wacky optical illusions where balls roll uphill, people grow to giant proportions, and moving pictures pop out of the walls. It's not just for kids either: adults of all ages will have a great time at this attraction.
We've got loads of other suggestions for things to do in Keswick when it's raining, so check out that guide too.
The Keswick Launch
If you want to see the Lake District from the water without getting wet, then a ride on the Keswick Launch could be right up your street.
The Keswick Launch Co. has a fleet of vessels that sail between several jetties on Derwentwater. You can make yourself comfortable for a full circular tour or hop off en-route to discover the footpaths, villages and waterways that surround the lake.
It's possible to walk around the whole of Derwentwater, so you can start out with a walk and then catch a Launch back when you're tired. The jetties mostly aren't too spaced apart either, so if you're still feeling fresh when you pass one, you can carry on knowing that the next opportunity to catch a boat isn't far away.
Indoor Archery
Our HQ doubles as an epic archery range for another great indoor activity, especially during the winter school holidays. Suitable for children aged 8 and up, archery is a great sport that can even help with focus and concentration. Families can compete against each other, or you can just try for your own high score by getting as many bullseyes as possible!
Easy Mountain Walks
You can't visit the Lake District without dong at least a little bit of hillwalking, and kids can join in the fun too. There are fortunately a lot of small and relatively easy mountain walks around Keswick which can be completed in just 1 or 2 hours.
Catbells is perhaps the most famous: a small fell (less than 1,500ft high) on the opposite side of Derwentwater, it can be walked in as little as an evening. Although it's not the easiest mountain walk near Keswick, it's not difficult either, and there are some fun, light scrambles towards the top, as well as some great views at the peak.
For something even easier, try Latrigg, which you can start directly from the centre of town or by driving to the car park near the top if you've got very young children. The walk up is easy to follow, with clear (though rocky) paths. At the top you're rewarded with panoramic views of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, and Skiddaw.
Keswick Museum & The Pencil Factory
Just because school's out for the holidays, doesn't mean that your kids have to stop learning, and Keswick has two quirky yet interesting museums to help your whole family learn more about the area's local history.
Keswick Museum sits between Upper and Lower Fitz Park and includes an art gallery as well as an ever-changing programme of events and exhibitions. Its collections include lots of objects linked to the rich social, natural and industrial past and present of Keswick and this area of the Lakes.
The Pencil Museum is also well worth a visit for budding artists and history lovers. Celebrating the history of graphite mining in the region, you'll be amazed at how fascinating the humble pencil can be! From playing an important part in the war to holding world records, this quirky little museum is jam-packed full of interesting titbits.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Imposing and mysterious, Castlerigg Stone Circle holds a secret history dating back thousands of years. The most beautiful of all the stone circles in England, it's also possibly the oldest and thought to have been built around 3,000BC! You can walk up there from the town or hop in the car for a few minutes (though there is limited parking). There's often an ice cream van at the top, too, so you can cool down while you admire the view and the kids play hide and seek between the stones.
Fitz Park, Hope Park and Crow Park
There are three parks in Keswick, all offering their own attraction and things to do.
Fitz Park combines two smaller parks - Lower Fitz and Upper Fitz - and sits alongside the river. It includes a cricket pitch, tennis courts, and even a BMX track as well as a play area, bowling club and arboretum… So plenty to do!
On the other side of town is Hope Park, which has crazy golf, pitch-and-putt, remote control boats and a lovely flower garden with ponds. It's got a great combo of things to do that should keep both younger children and teenagers interested.
Finally, Crow Park is a wide open grassy space that runs down to the shores of Derwentwater. Although there are no "attractions" here, as there are in the other two parks, there's lots of free space for burning off steam, amazing views of the mountains, and the water's edge where you can paddle or feed the ducks.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a lot of fun, no matter your age: it's easy to pick up, gets you out in the fresh air, and makes the hours just fly by!
Fortunately, Keswick sits on the shores of beautiful Derwentwater, a lake that's surrounded by spectacular scenery and is easy to reach by foot, car, or public transport. There are also a number of rivers nearby if you fancy something more fast-flowing (though if you're going out without a guide, be aware of seasonal restrictions).
If you're confident and used to kayaking already, you can launch your own kayak or hire them from one of the marina's on the west side of the lake. But, if you're new to this, want the extra safety of quality kit and experienced instructors, or just want a local guide to point out the best sights, then join us for a guided kayaking tour.