Travel Trade and Group Travel

A bustling and vibrant market town, Keswick offers a warm welcome to groups of all sizes. Whatever your tastes, needs and expectations - we have it all. There can be few towns with a setting as beautiful as that of Keswick, situated on the shores of Derwentwater and surrounded by mountains.Take time to explore the many shops, galleries and attractions in and around this small and friendly market town. With a rich literary, social and industrial heritage you may be surprised how much there is to discover. Keswick is the perfect base for exploring. There are walking routes to suit all abilities as well as a diverse range of other outdoor activities. You can also explore the wider Lake District and Cumbria. Our local, independent retailers offer a varied shopping experience which is enhanced by the award winning Keswick Market. Visit our museums, take a trip on the Derwentwater Launch or enjoy the many other attractions we have to offer. For a little culture, Theatre by the Lake and Alhambra cinema both offer exciting programmes. Whether you are looking for a half-day, full-day or longer , Keswick is the perfect destination and offers a warm Cumbrian welcome.

Travel Trade

If you are a tour operator, group travel organiser or travel agent we hope that this page will provide you with the information you need to promote Keswick and plan your trip.

Keswick Tourism Association is happy to help with enquiries to assist you.

Email [email protected]

Keswick Photo Library

We have an extensive library of images which you are free to use to promote Keswick and the surrounding area.

Please credit all images to Keswick Tourism Association, we would be grateful if you could also include a link to our website www.visitkeswick.com

To obtain a log-in to the photo library please contact Freya email [email protected]

Itineraries

We've put together a selection of our favourite things to do in and around Keswick which you can mix and match to create your own itinerary whether the trip you are organising is for the day, 48 hours or a longer stay.

View our itineraries.

If you would like further information or advice regarding itineraries please email [email protected].

Information to Help You Plan Your Visit

Coach Parking

Tithebarn Street Keswick (next to Booths supermarket car park, what3words ///rise.property.conforms) - up to 4 hours £15.00, max stay 4 hours
Lakeside Car Park (what3words ///lakes.nurtures.chins) has 4 coach bays £20
Pencil Museum Car Park (Next to Pencil Museum Car Park, what3words ///grownup.lifestyle.savers)
Seatoller Car Park, Borrowdale Valley, Keswick (for Scafell) - email National Trust to book a parking space in advance for a coach - [email protected]

Overnight parking for coaches is only allowed in Lakeside Car Park and Pencil Museum Car Park.

Keswick Town Map

Click here to visit our downloads page which includes our popular Visit Keswick Town Map and Attraction leaflet. We are not able to post out these leaflets but they can be picked up in Keswick Tourist Information Centre and other outlets in the town such as Booths Supermarket.

Attractions

For those wishing to find out more about the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the area there is the opportunity to visit museums and historic houses. Mirehouse, just outside Keswick is a beautiful family run historic house with strong literary connections. Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William Wordsworth’s childhood home at Wordsworth House and Gardens in nearby Cockermouth.Discover the history of slate mining at Honister Slate Mine or visit the home of the first pencil at Derwent Pencil Museum where you can trace the history of pencil making through displays and carefully restored machinery. Exhibitions, events and displays at Keswick Museum and Art Gallery overlooking Fitz Park tell the story of Keswick's landscape, history and culture.Few people come to Keswick without a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle. It stands on a superb natural plateau to the east of the town commanding a superb 360 degree view over the surrounding fells. It is composed of 38 free standing stones and is one of Britain’s earliest stone circles and most impressive prehistoric monuments.Find out about how real ales are brewed at Keswick Brewery and see exactly how whisky, gin and vodka are made right here just outside Keswick at The Lakes Distillery. For the culturally inclined the Theatre by the Lake offers a summer season of six plays or step back in time and enjoy the red velvet seats of the traditional Keswick Alhambra Cinema. For more information visit our Attractions page.

Shopping

Keswick is a bustling friendly town with a twice weekly market on Thursday and Saturday. Don’t miss calling into the ancient Moot Hall, home to the Tourist Information Centre in Keswick’s Market Square. The mainly pedestrianised town centre makes wandering round the shops a relaxing and enjoyable pastime.

Market days are Thursday and Saturday.

Away from the Market Square you’ll find shops tucked away down alleyways and in courtyards with unique gifts, clothes and locally produced goods. A variety of small independent shops and galleries showcase photographs, painting, pottery and jewellery by local artists and crafts people. Keswick is also a great place to get kitted out for your adventures with what must be one of the widest selections of outdoor shops in the UK. Click here for more information.

Group Activities and Accommodation

Whether you want to learn something new or improve on your existing skills lots of outdoor experts are on hand in Keswick with a wide range of activities for your group to try. On the water you can choose from sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding or just relaxing in a rowing boat. High adrenalin sports are in abundance in Keswick from paragliding to rock climbing to mountain biking. View our Adventure Keswick pages to give you an idea of the wealth of activities avilable in the area. Up in England’s only true Mountain Forest at Whinlatter you’ll find mountain bike and walking trails. Group accommodation is available where multi activity or team building events can be provided all year round. Visit our activities page and accommodation page for more information.

Keswick Events

Keswick and the surrounding area has a great choice of events throughout the year from annual favourites in our Festival Calendar like the Keswick Film Festival and sporting events such as the Keswick Mountain Festival and a host of Trail Runs and Triathlons. Festive events include the Keswick Christmas Lights Switch On and the Keswick Victorian Fayre.

There is a packed calendar of events throughout the year featuring music, dance, exhibitions, fairs, arts and crafts, theatre, cinema and live streaming events.

Visit our events page for more information and festivals page for inspiration for your visit.