Summer holidays in and around Keswick
Summer Holidays 2024
This page is being updated constantly so check back regularly for new summer events scheduled
Summer Rugby Camp
This summer Home Grown Sports Development are running two Rugby Camps and the Keswick Rugby Club
Camp one: Wednesday 24th July & Thursday 25th July
Camp Two: Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th August
10am - 3pm, Tickets are available now
Whinlatter Forest
Gruffalo Party Trail & Gruffalo Olympic Fun at Whinlatter Forest
2024 is The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure
There will also be a chance to meet the legendary Gruffalo himself at Whinlatter on 8 August, adding an extra sprinkle of magic to the experience.
The Party Trail is on now, the Olympic Fun starts on the 23rd of July 2024
Keswick Museum
There are a wide range of craft sessions on throughout the summer and they can all be adapted for all abilities.
Sessions start on the 23rd of July and the last session is on the 29th of August
To find out exact details of what is on and when, as well as all the booking information please visit the website
Rheged Centre
Lost Spells, Lost Words: Beyond & Before
Curated in partnership with Rheged, celebrate over 30 years of the work of Jackie Morris in this brand new exhibition, unlike any other she has done before. Jackie is a prize-winning, internationally best-selling illustrator, wildlife artist and author, living in Wales. For the first time, her life’s work is displayed together, with over 250 original artworks from over 30 children’s books.
On until Sunday 1 September
All the mischievous little mice from the Keswick Cheese Deli have escaped and are hiding in lots of wonderful shops around the town. Can you help to find all 24 of them?
A perfect family activity, you can do it all in one go or spread it out over your stay in Keswick. Maps can be collected from the front of the Keswick Cheese Deli or from the Tourist Information Centre.
Rheged Centre Theatre
SCRUMPTIOUS! By Beggars Belief | Family Theatre
All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, P.C. Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything. SCRUMPTIOUS! is a magical show about friendship and ice cream, with hilarious songs, dancing, storytelling and gentle audience participation — the perfect treat for families and anyone young at heart.
12 August 11am or 2pm
Rheged Centre Cinema
Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4 will be showing throughout the summer holidays at the Cinema at the Rheged Centre.
To find out the dates and the show times please follow the links below
Free Fitz Park I-Spy Trail
If you're looking for some fun outdoor family activity in Keswick, why not drop-in to Keswick Museum and pick up your FREE I Spy Trail – a great way to explore the town's beautiful Fitz Park any day of the week. Find the numbers, look around, look up high and on the ground, spot an eagle and a fountain, spy a bridge, a bear, a mountain! There are 10 trail posts to find – when you’ve found them all, come into the museum for a prize!
Wordsworth Grasmere
Summer Make and Play
15th & 28th August 10:30am - 12:30pm
Drop into the Learning Space for some summer holiday ‘Make and Play’ family activities. Explore summer as we craft and create. We’ll bring William and Dorothy’s writings to life as you have a go at a range of making and creative writing activities.
No need to book, just show up! For families with children of all ages.
Animal Arts and Crafts
Come along to Wordsworth House and get crafty and creative in the Discovery Room. Be inspired by our exhibition on British wildlife and make yourself something to take home.
The event is Free and booking is not required. Please follow the link below to find out the dates and times
Theatre by the Lake
Fri 9 Aug – Sat 14 Sep | 7.30pm
The world’s most famous detective gets a hilarious makeover in this spectacularly theatrical comedy.
For Ages 8+
Theatre by the Lake
Summer Masterclasses for ages 12 - 18yrs
Three different courses will run throughout the school holidays at Theatre by the Lake
From creating with expert Costume, Set and Puppet Designers to developing Performance Skills with Directing, Acting and Movement.
Whinlatter Forest
Wild Wednesday Forest Art
Wednesday 24th July & Wednesday 28th August - 11am
Painting from nature. This session is designed for slightly older children who have an interest in drawing and painting.
Whinlatter Forest
Get Crafty
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Whinlatter Forest
Wild Wednesday Squirrel Feeder Walk
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Join our Ranger on their rounds to fill the red squirrel feeders
Whinlatter Forest
Wild Wednesday Pond Dipping
Wednesday 31st July - 11am
Join our rangers and see what lies beneath the Whinlatter pond
Whinlatter Forest
Wild Wednesday Nature Detectives
Wednesday 14th August - 11am
Sleuth your way through the forest and use clues to help you identify all the wonderful creatures that live here at Whinlatter.
Thirlmere Recreation Hall
Thirlmere Open Flower Show
Saturday 3rd August
The Show is a traditional local flower show with classes covering vegetables, flowers and flower arrangements, crafts, baking, jams, eggs, honey, photography, and a children’s section
Doors open from 3pm
Head to the Park
We've a choice of outdoor play areas around Keswick. Fitz Park, close to the town centre, has a fantastic children's playground, outdoor gym, a multi use games area and BMX track as well as a large open recreational area. There are also grass tennis courts and a putting green. At the other end of town, close to the lake, Hope Park has crazy golf, putting, a pitch and putt course and remote controlled boats. Whinlatter Forest Park, just outside Keswick, has a wonderful adventure playground laid out as a trail through the forest where children can explore the natural environment. It includes an archimedes screw, secret doors in trees and a series of pulleys to move millions of little pebbles. Nearby at Mirehouse Historic House the grounds are home to four woodland adventure playgrounds and a heather path maze in the Bee Garden.
Go for a Walk
Take a look at our Family Walks page where you'll find a selection of routes from buggy friendly walks for young families to more challenging routes for those with older children.
The multi-user railway trail between Keswick and Threlkeld allows families of all ages to get out together as you can use the path on foot, bike, scooter, buggy and wheelchair. There are lots of information panels along the way where you find out more about local nature and wildlife as well as the history of the railway.
Head up to Whinlatter Forest, England’s only true mountain forest, where you'll find walking trails of varying lengths to suit all abilities
Take a Walk on the Wildside
Take a walk with an alpaca, a unique chance to bond with one of the Alpacas as you lead them, feed them and even take them for a dip in the lake. Alpaca Meet and Greets are great for all the family, lasting around half an hour and allowing you to get up close.
Or spend the day at the Lake District Wildlife Park - see over 100 species of wild and domestic animals in 24 acres of parkland set amongst breath-taking scenery. There are birds of prey and a rare breed farm animal collection. Play areas, picnic sites and a café make it a fun day out for all the family.
Indoor Fun
Head to Puzzling Place, a world of optical Illusions. Be amazed by interactive illusion exhibits, artwork and sculptures and see balls roll uphill in the anti-gravity room.
At the Derwent Pencil Museum discover the history of pencil making and see the world's largest pencil. Visit Keswick Museum where you'll find digital activities and engaging exhibitions.
Click here for more details of our local attractions.
Outdoor Adventures
There are a wide range of family activities around Keswick. Whinlatter Forest is home to Go Ape, a fantastic treetop adventure where you can swing through the trees or if you’d rather stay down on the ground, you can enjoy the all-terrain Segways to explore Whinlatter forest from a thrilling new perspective.
From Ghyll Scrambling to Indoor Climbing, Rookery Woods to Canoeing, there are lots of exciting adventures waiting for you at Keswick Climbing Wall & Outdoor Activity Centre.
Find out more about water based activities here including sailing, paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing. To find out more about outdoor activities around Keswick click here.
Get on Your Bike
Cycling is a fun way to explore the area and, if you haven't brought your bike with you, you can hire one from Cyclewise in Whinlatter Forest where you'll find a choice of mountain bike trails.
The pump track in Fitz Park is a very popular destination for riders from beginners through to advanced. For younger riders, just learning to ride a bike or not yet confident to go on the road, the perimeter path, which runs all way around the park, makes a great circuit.
The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail is a 10km out and back off-road route with gentle gradients. Being a multi-user trail it is great for the whole family with cyclists, runners, push-chairs, walkers and mobility scooters all sharing the space.
Read Our Blogs
For more inspiration about what to see and do in the Keswick area read our blogs.
What's On
From Family Fun to Festivals and Shows, check out what's on in Keswick
