Beautiful ribbon lake nestled within the classic Lake District mountainous terrain. If you can get on the water, it's a great feeling, and even if not, you'll be able to feel the serenity at any point around the lake. Genuinely a stunning place especially when it's not too rainy or cloudy (good luck!) and one of my highlights when visiting the lakes.

Derwentwater is a truly magical an amazing place!! An can be certainly breath-taking over the summer month. Takes roughly 4 - 5hrs get all way round an is about 10miles long too walk.

Derwentwater is a beautiful lake located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. It is one of the most popular and picturesque lakes in the region, surrounded by stunning landscapes and fells. Derwentwater is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, offering scenic views, walking trails, and opportunities for boating and watersports. The lake is also dotted with several islands, including the well-known Derwent Island, which is owned by the National Trust and can be visited by boat. It's a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Has a circular walk around the lake, with beautiful views. Part of it is flooded at the moment, though, just before the "Chinese Bridge".

Great spot for wild swimming. Plenty of parking. Views are incredible

It's a beautiful place for swimming, outing, spending leisure time/special time with you family,friends, girlfriend-boyfriend or buggy ,specially for tourists, boating, enjoy the beauty of nature. These picture was taken last summer

Wandering down from Keswick for the first time, and the view emerging from the trees, is one of the few times, I was astonished in my life. It is absolutely wonderfully gorgeous, and if you have never seen it for yourself, watch the Star Wars scene where the X-Wings flew over the water. Even major film makers know a beautiful place when they see one! Access is easy. Keswick is ten minutes walk away, there is a large carpark a few minutes away to the north, which also has toilets. The path that runs down the eastern shore soon brings you to peace and quiet, woodland mottled in sunlight from a high sun, providing shade on the hot days. And the views from all angles, are just beautiful in all the best ways, at all times of all the days. Everything is so close here, and yet so beautiful, you can spend an hour here, or a day, and every minute is worth it

We walked round Derwentwater anticlockwise from Keswick. Its a ten mile walk on mainly flat road so isnt too strenuous and the scenery is absolutely stunning. It took around 5 hours to walk at a fairly steady pace, we did it in trainers quite easily so walking boots aren't necessary. Well worth the effort.

The day that we visited Lake Derwentwater was really sunny. The lake was really beautiful. There is a large grass area perfect for picnics. This is a place that you must take photos of.

We walked all round this beautiful lake the first full day we had in Keswick. Well worth the aching legs...

Definitely worth a walk, it's even possible to catch a boat and walk different areas of the lake. The views are spectacular and change all year round. There is a good path from Keswick to Friars Crag that is suitable for wheel chair access.

Nice circular route with great views. Good walk for most dogs, easy route to follow. We went down to the lakeside, makes the walk a wee bit longer but gives you 2 different types of scenery vistas.

Nice steep walk, we managed to get halfway up with great views of Derwent Water. Up and down near the top in less than 2 hours which was great.

Absolutely beautiful walk. Stunning views. We did the hike with our dogs, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is fairly steep on both the ascent and descent, one thing to take into consideration, on the descent some rock scrambling and climbing is required.

Walked up one morning with my dog and the views didn’t disappoint. We walked straight up from the bottom and once you got so far up it was quite a scramble, especially when you’re on your own trying to hold a dog! We came down the other path (I’m not sure if there’s more than just those two), which winds down the outside facing Derwentwater, and that was definitely an easier route! I would definitely go back again but go the ‘easier’ route up.

We had an amazing hike in Catbells and it was one of the best hikes we did in the Lake district. This hike was a full of spectacular views overlooking the Derwentwater and the range of magical mountains in Lake District. The hike was quite an easy one and we did as a preparation for the Helvellyn hike we are planning to do in next couple of days. We parked the car in Hawes end car park. Make sure not to park your Car along the double yellow lines, no matter how tempting you are, you will definitely get a parking ticket. I saw many Cars got parking tickets just because they wanted to save £5 of the Car park. Make sure to keep only footsteps and take only photos /memories. Thanks Lake District 😊

Good family climb. Some scrambles, we did it with a five and seven year old in good weather. Recommended getting a buss or getting off the ferry at Hawes end.

Great "Little" walk. I had thought we could do this on one of our rest days. It was a little bit steeper than I'd thought. But I have to say, one of my favourite walks. The views are great. Parking is a nightmare. I'd Googled beforehand and getting the launch from Keswick was recommended. This was a great idea. It added another element to the adventure. And made parking easy. The lakeside carpark is massive.

This was a very steep walk for me! I'd like to think I'm fairly fit but I found this very demanding. The views are amazingly beautiful but please be warned that this is NOT a flat easy walk. I regret not taking some food and drink to enjoy the spectacular views at the top.

Amazing view! Definitely recommend. It’s about a 25-35 min hike up to the first viewpoint and it’s amazing. It’s quite steep so wear proper shoes as not to fall or slip, especially on the way down. The view from the top is really breathtaking.

Fantastic views all the way. Amazing. A must do thing to put on your list. There were people of all ages doing this, but there are two parts when you have to scramble up the rocks. Not easy for all to do! Start at Hawks End to get the best experience of it all. You go up to the first peak and as you get there you then see another. As you get to the top, then there's another, get to next peak then there's yet another again. Lovely to sit down and have a drink and a sarni looking out over the views. The winding path on the side going down left me in sooo much pain in my knees though!! I didnt think I would be able to drive home! Worth it cos the views are amazing! Parking..... what a nightmare! Seemed like cars were in every little gap at sides of road there was and its a bit tight in places for two cars to pass. There are a lot of double yellow lines so be careful where you choose. I basically just got lucky with a parking spot. If you see one grab it

Perfect hike for first time climbers, it has absolutely everything to get their love for climbing going!! The views are beautiful the walk isn't too strenuous. Views for miles and a lovely lake at the bottom of the fell, perfect spot for wild swimming and having a picnic, a firm family favourite!!!

Fairly easy walk for beginners and it’ll take about an hour up and less than that coming down, if you’re fairly fit There’s parking right at the starting point, (the side facing the lake) so if you can get that then it’s literally a few steps to the starting point (which slights right, up the hill) The views are spectacular and there’s nothing like a short hike to end your day! You can do a circular route and come down the shorter but less scenic view and really complete this miniature mountain If you’re with the family and they’re not up for running across striding edge with you then this scenic route will get everyone out and wanting to climb

Great walk with excellent views around Keswick. Not to busy and a moderate rating, great starter point for beginners.

This is probably my favourite hike in England. I've parked in the area previously, within a half mile of the start. Yet parking is difficult and I was lucky to find a legal spot to park. Yesterday when I ventured up with the wife we parked at the Lake Side car park (£8.50 for 6 hours). We then caught the ferry form the lakeside to Hawes End. The journey is lovely and takes about 30 mins. It was £5.50 each one way. The guys that run the ferry are great. Very friendly and happy to advise on directions and where best to get off etc. There is a wooden jetty at Hawes end which leads straight into a woodland. It's sigh posted to the start of the Catbells walk and brings you out at the North End of the walk. This is the most challenging end of the climb as it's 80% climbing, some of which is pretty steep and there is some technicality at around 4 points along the route to the summit. It's a bit of scrambling and for some bits you're going to need both hands to help you climb. It's doable for most people who are at least moderately active. The only way I can gauge it for you is I am above average fitness for my age. (I am 50 my VO2 max currently at 47). I carried a pack with 12kg weight. I used walking poles and my heart rate reached around 150bpm on the toughest section which is the scramble right before the summit. I like to go for it and push myself so I shot up there but you can take your time and have regular rests. So don't let this put you off. The great thing about this hike is that it's incredibly rewarding. It's a short distance but steep enough to get you a good workout. Yet, as you climb there are rewards at every turn. Even after hiking just five mins into the trail you will start to be rewarded with Great views. And this gift keeps on giving the higher you climb. You'll have views over to the Langdale Pikes to the SE, Keswick town, Blencathra and Skiddaw to the North and NE. Then over to your SW, views Straight into the Kentmere Horse Shoe. Ok a clear day you can see right across to the East towards the very peak of Hellvellyn. Just 360° fantastic views. We missed the last boat back from Hawes End landing which is at 1740hrs. We also missed the last bus back (no.77) which was at 1801hrs from Portinscale. So we had to walk back to Keswick which took about 90 mins from the foot of Catbells at the Hawes End area. The total walk from Hawes end landing jetty along the ridge to Catbells summit, then down a path way that leads East from the ridge between Catbells and Maiden more (towards the lake). Then following the path way along the lower fells of Catbells South to North back to Hawes End. Continuing along the main road towards Portinscale, then through and over the River Derwent and along a dirt track straight into the centre of Keswick Town was 7.4 miles approximately. I'd advise planning to get the boat back from Hawes End. In which case Hawes end to Hawes end over Catbells is around 4 miles. You can pay for your ticket by contactless card on the boat itself if you haven't bought a return ticket. That's it. Hopefully this contains all the main info for you to enjoy a great mini adventure in Catbells. Sounds obvious, (but I can tell you that people still underestimate the fells), but make sure you take food, drinks and proper walking gear and jacket etc for inclement weather. It can and does change very quickly up there and you're very exposed up there. It's almost always windy up there and so when you're sat admiring the view from the summit and all sweaty, you'll cool off super quick. I've included some photos if you're interested. Enjoy.

Beautiful walk. No need to use the car park if you staying in Keswick as you can take the ferry or walk around the north part of the lake to get there. Views are fantastic, on the negative side it's a little too busy but most people are respectful and helpful. For those who are older or with young children, there are two scrambling sections which are unavoidable and the second would be particularly challenging with very young kids or if you are infirm. If you want to go further and have the time/energy you can walk over the hilltops along to Maidens Moor and High Spy which is a route just after you come down the far side of Catbells. These are much less frequented and not particularly challenging after the initial climb of Catbells and takes you up to around 650m. If you are feeling particularly daring you can go even further and there is a beautiful and secluded swimming lake on past High Spy peak. Well worth doing.

This my second hike of the year .. amazing views and beautiful trails definitely recommend worth it

Surprisingly amazing for the low altitude of this fell. Really enjoyed the hike on the way to High Spy. This fell in the Lake District National Park is very busy due to its proximity to the town of Keswick. A lot of people hike up and back down to their hotels and camping sites. Nevertheless a truly wonderful short walk and definitely a must do Wainwright. Parking for this fell is as always a problem in the peek season and you'll most likely have to pay, then walk to the beginning of Cat Bells.

Really enjoyed the hike up Catsbells. Such amazing views! Some parts are literally clambering up rocks (make sure you go in the right direction for the loop as wouldn't want to be going down the rocks) but doable if reasonably fit and mobile. Did the 5k circular route. Parking is an issue, ensure you follow parking rules.

A nice little walk with great views of derwent. Not a bad walk and easy going. It dies get very busy as loads of people were on the way up as we desended.

Lovely day out if the weather is playing ball. Be prepared for a bit of a scramble at the top, but nothing too intense. Anyone with a fair amount of fitness should find it a doddle.

Catbells is a relatively easy climb for the generalist hiker. One that you can do with the kids if they’re competent. Personally if you don’t want any whinging, try when your kids are older than 8 years as it’s a progressive climb with 3 or 4 scrambling sections to its peak of just 450 metres. Don’t let the modest height of this mountain put you off. The views from the peak over Derwentwater are exquisite. A bonus is that on clear days you will find the RAF Eurofighters training overhead through the valleys of Blencathra to the northeast and over Bassenthwaite. We timed the passing jets perfectly as we meandered through the Cumbria Way near Nichol End Marina. Seeing a Typhoon 500ft above your head is quite something and the noise verging on deafening. Quite a shock for my 10 year old son! Our route from Portinscale south past Lingholm Kitchen and Gardens, up through the foothills is well sign posted. You can’t go wrong! There’s even a little snack truck where you can have a coffee and a crépe before you begin your ascent (or finish if you’re doing a loop to Portinscale). This Route 1 is around 8 miles back to Portinscale and can easily be finished in around 4 hours including a picturesque lunch on the tops. One of the best walks the Lakes has to offer.

Lovely walk if you follow the road around and come up the side of the lake it is more gentle as the other side you need to climb on roads

Got here first thing in the morning around 7am, hardly anyone around and on my own once the photographers had gone. Was freezing with the snow but worth the stunning views and the drive up the steep narrow lane wasn't too bad although very icy at the time! The stones themselves were interesting but it was more about the surrounding views for me.

The location was great, only a few minutes of walking distance to the town center. Free and ample car parking was available. The room and the bathroom were both very clean and nice. The room had all the basic amenities such as a kettle and a Nespresso machine. The bathroom had enough shower gels and shampoo for use, and the towels provided were clean.

A truly picturesque location especially if you manage to get there for sunset. The circle is surrounded by beautiful silhouettes of mountains. We were there when the sky created a stunning pink hue over everything. Really magical. A very interesting place if you're into archaeology, history etc.

A fantastic stone circle that allows you to get up close and walk amongst the stones. It gets busy though, so try for early morning or late evening - the views will still be spectacular. Parking is along the side of the main road and also gets busy at peak times.

Well worth a detour to see. On a nice day (such as the one in my photos) the panoramic views from this location are amazing. I won't ruin the information about this place, as it's available on boards at the gates to the Stone Circle. It's nice to read about it while you're there. Wheelchair users can probably make it to the Circle with some help. Don't try it though if it's been raining. It's boggy. Photographers will love this place but dawn or sunset is obviously best. Drone photography is dramatic when the long shadows cast by the stones from the rising or setting sun ripple across the undulating field the Stone Circle is in. A note about drones: English Heritage, who "own" the site have banned them on all "their" properties. To get around this wholly stupid rule launch your drone from the road & fly it from there. Do not to fly it directly over the Stone circle. It's quite a magical place but it gets very busy in summer. Difficult to get good photos when there's 50 people milling around. There's no public conveniences or anything like that.

This was my second visit to this wonderful place and it didn't disappoint. The location is magical, the views spectacular and the atmosphere truly mystical. Last time we walked up from Keswick where you get the opportunity of some great views across the lakes, but this time we drove and it was very easy to find.

What an atmospheric place. We went in the middle of the day and there was a steady stream of visitors. So we revisited at 06.30.... no one else around and got to see the full beauty of the place. Think the sheep were enjoying the peace too.

Still here after 4500 years and potentially one of the oldest ring stones in the country. If you're in the area don't miss this visit. It is beautiful, peaceful and extraordinary to be in the ring of stones. They say if you count the stones you always count a different number. I think there use to be 42 stones and now there are 38. If you're lucky enough to take a picture of the stones without anyone there, then consider it a fortunate day.

A great example of a stone circle with a stunning backdrop. If you’re a photographer then I suggest early morning or late in the evening for a photo as during the day it’s teaming with people. Free parking on the road beside it. Worth a visit if you’re in the area. Not as impressive as stone henge but you get to walk amongst the stones here.

I love this place! No matter what time of year I go it is always beautiful and the walks around it are too. This is one of my favorite places on earth to relax and escape. I’ve heard a lot of people say that it is just a knockoff Stone Henge but I think that Castlerigg is better. If you’re in the lakes this is my number one recommended hike.

Really nice nature sight to visit. We made a quick stop here and walked around the circle. The nature and landscape is beautiful. Ample parking near the sight and not a far walk.

This is a wonderful site. Beautiful vistas and easy to find. Part of me wishes it wasn't. Because there were so many people allowing their children to climb the stones. 1. It's disrespectful 2. The chances of injury and death increased. 3. These stones were erected by a culture long lost. They are a source of wonder and intrigue. It's not a playground for your precious offspring. BTW, not all of these people whose spawn were climbing like monkeys are from England. A few were German speaking and French. There should be a sign and a fine.

Beautiful views of the Lake District country hills … there is a free entrance… you need to drive to this place .. not sure if there is public transport. But all the Lake District is well connected. This place is magic.. if you like history this is the place. Bring some trainers or wellington boots.

Great place, especially at sunset. Easy to get to and get around. There are three interesting and informative boards which tell you a bit about the history of the this fascinating place. Well worth a quick stop if you’re in the area.

You park just off the road beside the entrance. The views all around are simply stunning especially with the snow on the hills. The stones are in the centre but there is one off to the right and it has it's own story. There are 3 board that try to tell you why there here. You won't spend long here but it's worth the trip.

You have to go to the stones! An absolutely beautiful backdrop to a fascinating mystery. First time I walked from Keswick, second time took the 555 bus. Peaceful!

Nice place to visit on a clear day... essentially stones in a field! But prehistoric, not a lot known about them from the information on the signs. But it is a lovely setting and views and quite impressive really... you know, for a circle of stones in a field!

Beautiful, but very crowded place. We’ve been told that it’s better to come here early in the morning but we were traveling from Scotland and it was not possible to be there any sooner. The atmosphere is great and the surroundings are fantastic. Definitely worth a visit. A parking situation is also difficult there.

Lovely spot to visit; a beautiful stone circle with some information on signs nearby, absolutely amazing views of the hills, and fields with sheep grazing nearby. A very idyllic picture. Free parking nearby and only a short detour on the way to Keswick. It was a nice day while we were there, so it was a bit busy, and there were some fighter jet exercises, as well, with the jets flying over very low. Was very interesting to see them (and hear them) flying two at a time and bending and disappearing ‘round the hills.

I’m not a religious person , but stood at this place I could feel a presence of a greater power . The surroundings are just beautiful! Completely surrounded by green clad hills and mounts it is no wonder our ancestors felt like I did . This place was made by a far greater being of superior knowledge and power whoever or whatever that may be

This was a wonderful find in the Lakes District. We had been enjoying the area for the first time and saw this distillery pop up in our searches. We are very glad it did! We sampled a number of their whisky’s and really enjoyed their Mosaic and No 5 single malts. We took a few bottles with us to share with friends. After tasting, we decided to have some lunch and we’re pleasantly surprised by a great roast and chicken Caesar salad. Their courtyard was a great place to relax and enjoy.

Fantastic place. The staff were all friendly, professional and knowledgeable. The tour is great and you get a whisky, vodka and gin taster at the end. The shop is very nice and has a great selection of whisky, gin and vodka. It's all immaculate. The bistro is also on site although I found it expensive, for what I got. A beef sandwich at £13.50 which was one slice of sourdough with a bit of beef. Nice but not value for money. Anyway the whisky tour was my thing and it was great. Plenty of on site parking and in a beautiful setting. Credit to the staff and owners who set this up, well done.

We visited for the Classic Tour. Beautiful setting and distillery. Bistro, lovely for lunch or cuppa and cake. Classic tour and guide fab. Bistro service very good. Tasting of their Single Malt Reserve 4, classic gin and vodka included in the tour. "Drivers' Drams" are available to take away for the designated drivers. Well worth a visit, even just for the Bistro and lovely setting.

Excellent tour of the distillery, and a wonderful presentation on the history of the site, as well as a film showing the source of the water used, and then on to a lovely tasting session. The whole experience was wrapped up with care and attention, as seen in all the details throughout the tour and the buildings themselves. A great place to visit and enjoy lunch too!

Really enjoyed our visit to The Lakes Distillery, the tour was great value and provided an interesting insight to the growth of the distillery. The tasting at the end was brief but delicious. Only thing I'd note is that tour is almost entirely whisky based with the gin barely getting a mention. I know that reflects the aspirations of the business, but for a tour group dominated by gin fans a bit more balance would have been good. Great bistro on site.

A brief visit this time to this beautifully located distillery. Enjoyed seeing the alpacas, eating delicious cake in the bistro, and buying whisky for my son

We did the 2 hour Single Malt Experience tour and it was hugely enjoyable. The history of the distillery is fascinating in itself and the tour was very informative. The tasting session at the end gave a real insight into the different flavours of their whiskies and we received a lovely glass to take away too! The ticket also gives up to 20% off in the shop as well so that came in handy! We didn’t have time to try the Bistro but it looked very nice and there’s an outdoor seating area as well. Recommended!

Amazing place for the whisky lovers. Great service, the staff is very nice and welcoming and the whisky is great! Really enjoyed the distillery tour and tasting. The host definitely knows his stuff and will make the experience really pleasant. 100% recommended!

Great location and a beautifully restored farm property. The tour was good, but personally i think it could be improved with a little more interaction. The tasting at the end of the tour was a good way to finish, with a tasting of whiskey, gin and vodka. The drivers were only offered one miniature to take away, which was a surprise it wasnt all 3 The shop is nicely presented, but quite expensive.

We booked a tour of the distillery which was excellent. Our guide was very informative and knowledgeable. The tour lasted around one hour and ended with a tasting session of their whisky, gin and vodkas. We'll worth a visit, if only for a look around their gift shop (samples available here, too).

Fantastic day! Food at the bistro is amazing! We had a great and informative tour of the distillery followed by a tasting session. The staff were so friendly and helpful. We had lunch at the bistro after the tour. I couldn't believe how lovely and tasty the food was, it was one of the best meals I've had in a long long time. The staff were so friendly. I can't recommend the Bistro enough, even if you aren't interested in whisky it's a great place for a meal.

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our friends stayed for new year so took them with us. Our guide was very knowledgeable,enjoyed tasting the products at end of the tour. Would recommend

Any time when I comming to The Lake Distillery was amazing. Great bistro with nice and friendly staff. Very good food and nice tasty any drinks . Nice spent afternoon in distillery.

I feel a little bad for giving this a 3 star but I can't help but feel disappointed. Was quite excited to go to this so when I got there it wasn't as big as I had thought, although super easy to get in on what felt like a busy day. Very affordable for an adult just £4.50. My issue was the size and just felt like it needed some TLC, it's a cool place and was tired with a lot of things covered in tape, one thing not quite fixed. For kids I'm sure it's great, but adults perhaps less so. Having said that, I loved being able to do the photos in the rooms which was the best part.

Really fun place to visit. Kids would love it. No toilets and entry is up a flight of stairs. Once inside, it's full of optical illusions that you can interact with.

Good place to take your little one when the Cumbrian weather is a bit grey. Lots of things for them to interact with in such a small space, although I did feel the holographic frames while interesting were a bit of an after thought in the space they took up.

We had a great time at the puzzling place. Our children age 7, 10, 14 and 16 all enjoyed it which shows it is good for all ages. Every exhibit was engaging and interesting. Would recommend to anyone

Fun for all ages! We all had a blast checking out all the optical illusions and holograms, although mummy couldn't handle the tilted room. Short and sweet and worth every penny.

Nice little day out for kids and adults. Not accessible for wheelchair users as there is a flight of stairs.

Really nice thing to do especially to escape the wet weather. Spent about an hour looking round and extra bonus it's dog friendly. We booked our tickets in advance but due to bad traffic we were an hour late. I did call and explain and the staff were amazing telling us not to worry and our tickets would still be valid.

This place really is worth a visit. Simple place, fun and educational, no loos so go beforehand! Good for adults, kids, and big kids too! Both my wife and I really had fun here! The little rooms are the highlights for me, especially the gravity room and the big / little room!! It's all about perspective!

Located on a first floor, mid-way in Museum square (not exactly where google puts it but close). There is a stair and no lift. There are a lot of puzzling exhibits. It would have been great to have a guide. It takes about 45 min to see it all. Great place to visit for a rainy day.

I was worried it was going to be a rubbish tourist trap but I really enjoyed it. Lots of fun and genuinely weird optical illusions. Lots of photo opportunities. Would recommend. Doesn't take long to get round, 45 mins tops. The wonky room made me feel proper woozy for ages but very clever!

Absolutely love this place. We visited over 10years ago and it was amazing to be able to bring our daughter with us this time. We had such a laugh trying out all of the illusions!

This is a must visit if you're in Keswick. Children and adults alike love the interactive and fun exhibits and can learn about interesting aspects of their brains. All of the exhibits are worth viewing, however, some of the holograms are looking a little tired and don't work quite as effectively as they once did. A bit of updating would be great. I went with my grandchildren, having taken my own children here, several times, 20 years ago. The staff are friendly and helpful.

Fabulous if you haven't been before mind boggling 🤔

I would advise to book your tickets before you go as there is a limited space (i think its 50).There is quite a lot of things to do and look at but because of the amount of people in at the time it was hard to do some of the things,so you just have to keep either waiting or going back to it.There is plenty of a 2 step stool so the smaller children can see the things. The gravity room be warned ⚠️ when you walk into it you do go a bit dizzy (well it did with me and my husband)and quite alot of others but you do get use to it as you go in further. There is no toilets in there so make sure the little ones go first as it says "no re-admission .

Nice quick spot to go too, kids under 5 go free! Brilliant gift shop as well. My 3 year old had so much fun interacting with everything.

Great outing for rainy weather! My kids aged 4 to 13 all really enjoyed it! There really is a lot to see and try out

A great place to visit. The history of the mine is interesting enough but what the family who reopened it in the recent past have accomplished is truly amazing. If your visiting at least do the mine tour, but for the more adventurous the extra activities are well worth experiencing. Some nice walks from the mine as well. We used the 77 or 77A bus from Keswick which allows views of the pass not easily seen when concentrating on the road, well worth considering.

One of the best experiences we've done, from the rope bridge to hiking through part of the mine and then jumping off the bridge, we loved it all. The guides were brilliant and a great laugh, the views were amazing. Would definitely do it again.

Very convenient car park which is already fairly high up, about 332 metres. Gives great access to Dale Head, Fleetwith Pike, Hay Stacks and also up to Great Gable. Ha yes.... there's also a slate mine here too...never been in, I just use the car park. Cost £5 for all day and £10 for over night... you just pay in the shop.

We did the adrenaline pass! 100% worth it! When we got to the free fall/jump at the end I was shaking like a leaf, felt like I couldn’t jump! But Matt our instructor calmed me down and give me the confidence to do it! I would have been gutted if I didn’t do it !! Great day ! Thank you! From Claire & paul

Can’t recommend enough! We did the adrenaline pass, which included the mine tour, the infinity bridge and the jump. All of it was amazing and we even got to see jets flying through while on the bridge!! Both of our instructors were very friendly and entertaining, they really made the experience! Would 100% recommend it!

100% recommended - brilliant experience!! An excellent way to conquer your fear of heights whilst having insane fun!! Epic views from the top on a nice day😎... pictures say it all:

I highly recommend to visit this place because of views and history. The Honister slate mine in Cumbria is last working slate mine in England. You can get here from M6 motorway through Honister Pass but it's quite challenging route with many narrow roads. Views are stunning

Incredible experience! We took part in the “climb the mine” experience - the views heading up there were incredible and the whole experience was very exciting! The host was extremely helpful and it was extremely cool to see within the mines! The only downsides were arriving 30 minutes early was not necessary and the experience only took 1.5 hours when it was stated as 2.5hrs online! Would definitely be attempted to return ✨

This was really incredible. Nothing like jumping off a mountain to make you feel brave. Really good guides kept us safe as we climbed through the mine. Great slate shop too

Blown away by how great our trip was. We did "climb the mine" and it was fab. Sofia ,12f, really enjoyed it too. It was like go ape but in an old slate mine which was very cool. Great scenery around the area. Lovely cafe and really unique stuff in the slate mine shop.

Perfect place for break, day out, clean toilets, super b cafe and very nice staff, around lot of places for walk and hiking, big car park for good price. Good advice :-) Please drop price for Americano from £3.20 to £2,50 and will be happy. Stunning place and view point, all area look like Mars or Moon but green :-) Amazing Sunsets and this place must be 1 point to visiting. Honister first and Keswick second! Enjoyed day off. Nice gift shop plus plenty spaces for seating and relaxing after long walk.

What an experience doing this ,thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, well worth the money, id do it again . Scenery around was breathtaking to be amongst the North western fells as well as the western fells, this area is so captivating.

This review is for the Adrenaline Pass at the slate mine… wow 🤩 an absolutely brilliant 3 hours of fun and also some hard work at times. Starting off with the wire bridge high above Honister Pass, the event starts with some stunning views before heading into the mine. Inside there are some great climbs, descents, swing ropes and a zip line. To finish off, there’s a voluntary 35 metre free fall drop off a platform which all of our group courageously completed 😊 Great value for money for the experience which was complemented by friendly experienced staff.

Absolutely stunning backdrop and a well run activity centre. The views from the mine as well as the pass are truley something to take tour breath away. A throughly enjoyable day out. There's so much you can do. From Bungee Jumps, climbing through the cable and zip wire down, the infinity bridge and more. The mine tour is great seeing the cramped conditions people worked in. The restaurant/cafe serves great food and the dinning area is beautiful with solid wood tables and chairs/benches. The gift shop offer plenty of unusual and rare objects made from slate as well as other materials. Staff were amazingly helpful

We did the adrenaline package and had Andy as our guide! Andy was very fun and helpful through the entire experience! Going through the mine was so fun but dress warm as it gets down to 8 degrees inside there! Also recommend waterproof pants and shoes as it does get wet down there! Highly recommend and would love to try other activities at Honister the next time I’m in the Lake District!

This is a great place to visit & spend the day in the area. As at November 2023 all day parking is £5. Parking is paid for in the Slate Mine shop. There's plenty to do & see, including the famous via ferrata, which I did quite a long time ago. The café is well presented & serves really nice, if not a little expensive, snacks & drinks. The staff were very pleasant too. This is a working mine & you can see what's being made through viewing windows. The mine is situated in an area of the Lake District that has many well known peaks that are easily accessible from where you park. With Derwent Water at one end & Buttermere at the other the drive in is spectacular at all times of the year. Honister Pass can be very dangerous in icy conditions & shouldn't be attempted at all in those conditions due to its steepness, exposure & it being wet most of the year.

What an amazing experience, went on the classic via ferrata £45 and it was well worth the money. Fantastic instructor, Heather, very experienced and knowledgeable about the slate mines and felt very confident climbing in her care. Lovely photos bought and were emailed to us for £20. Very nice cafe, cracking flat white, made with decent coffee, good selection of cakes but also soup, hot pies and hot sandwiches/toasties etc. Toilets in very good condition, car park free with activity ticket otherwise £5 for day and well worth it for access to the local walks. I'd definitely return with my grown up family as there is a list of activities I'd still do plus the slate mine tour underground, £17.50 each, no concessions. Also, if you're lucky, you might see fighter planes on training flight path!

Great local theatre. Beautiful setting, arguably the most photogenic theatre in the UK. We have seen many productions, all good. Usually a small very versatile cast in a well produced piece. We'll worth a visit, well worth booking. It's how rep theatre used to be, and all the better for that too!

Gorgeous location - truly unrivalled - and excellent shows showcasing excellent Black actors and plays. Food isn’t too bad & drink selection before the show and during intervals is good.

Little Shop of Horrors....a fabulous show! The cast was amazing, friendly and helpful staff and beautiful theatre. We were really impressed and great value for money. We had the accessibility seats. Very spacious for my brother and super view of the stage. Loved the whole experience. Well done everyone!

I went to see the Glee Club during. Great theatre and a very entertaining show. If you enjoy the Theatre or just fancy trying it out on when staying in the area, I would highly recommend it. It is a fantastic facility.

Saw Brief Encounter this week, in the cheap £10 seats on the balcony but comfortable. Just a little lean forward and had an unobstructed view from front row. Fabulous all singing and dancing production. Such talent, could easily watch again.❤️

Gorgeous little theatre with lake access for before and after the show. They had 1 vegan ice cream flavour this time and plenty of snack options (Pringles and hummus chips) but no vegan chocolate sadly. Love it here!

An absolutely lovely theatre. This was our third visit over the last few years, and again was not disappointed. The auditorium itself is small, making the performances almost personal. Love the local art work on display on various floors. Staff have always been very friendly. Great location - right by Derwent water. Must book tickets well in advance, I made that mistake once and could not obtain seats. Love it.

Went to see The Little Princess. Bought tickets on the door. Excellent access, roomy seats and a variety to choose from. Bar, snacks, gift shop, plenty of toilets. Now to the production of The Little Princess. Superb production with outstanding contributions from all the leads. The pre-set looked a bit mundane so I was thrilled when the saris were flown and we were treated to a beautiful intriguing set… that just kept getting better! Lighting - a bit patchy on the apron but overall good visibility. I do love really clever back lighting and ‘spotting’ like when the girls imagine the fire glowing. At the interval I took a wander upstairs and there was another treat in the mezzanine gallery. A whole exhibition dedicated to the design and making of the show. At last the creatives were given a chance to shine. But then that’s what Theatre by the Lake does really well, it’s not all about the folks in the spotlight. As a theatre maker myself I love seeing the magic behind the show, where the ideas come from and why.

A very enjoyable performance. I'm sight impaired and I was part of the tour before the performance. I would like to say a huge thankyou to the actors and the theatre staff for making today special. The audio description headsets were very helpful too.

Lovely small theatre. Good to see it full and well supported. Seats are v comfortable and good views of the stage. Bar good for interval drinks. Lovely staff throughout. Enjoyed the performance and look forward to going back soon.

Went to see Blonde Bombshells of 1943, the show was amazing. The cast all had excellent voices and played the instruments unbelievably... Definitely go if you get the chance..

Brilliant experience - the best customer service I have ever had. The wonderful lady on the box office (17th Aug) looked after us so well, even though I had made a huge error, and David the floor manager ensured we were well seated and well looked after. They truly cared about us having the experience we came for. The show, 39 steps, was brilliant, and the theatre itself is a wonderful theatre. Highly recommend visiting this wonderful theatre with truly amazing staff.

We saw every brilliant thing at the theatre by the lake and it was incredible. The play was very moving yet funny and wonderfully acted. The theatre had developed activities around the show, which were engaging and touching. The theatre is an intimate venue and we felt very much part of the play, which was its intention. Superb staff who were very helpful. Wonderful venue on the shores of Derwenwater and we had a lovely meal before the show in the restaurant. Highly recommend.

We booked to see the Little Princess, with low expectations. How wrong we were, great story telling, captivating, charming, funny, and educational. We love this theatre having visited several times before. Well done!

Great theatre, super FoH staff. Wonderful cast and crew and an amazing show. Go and see Little Shop of Horrors!

It's an amazing theatre with a good cafe and a bar. The location near the lake makes the experience of visiting the theater very enjoyable. There is a nice park outside the theater where you can go for a good walk

Such a beautiful location for a theatre. The theatre itself isn't big but I liked it a lot. Great show and very nice and friendly staff

Watched a school of scandal yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised, enjoyed the play, the venue was lovely, and ticket and drink prices were reasonable. Will be back for sure.

Fantastic theatre - saw The 39 Steps here, and haven't laughed so hard in ages. Facilities are really good, and you can tell there's been a lot of effort put into this. All the staff are friendly and helpful. Seats are a good size and well priced, and there is a lift up to higher levels if needed.

First visit to the Theatre By the Lake though I've been to Keswick many times before. Box Seats in the mezzanine for The 39 Steps and the whole experience was great. Had a drink before the show, bar staff were friendly and helpful. One of the volunteers came round to scan our tickets while we sat and he had a short but friendly chat with us. Easy to find our seats and I'm quite tall but found there was plenty of leg room. Thoroughly enjoyed the show, I've seen it before and the production was up there with the national tour from a few years back. Thoroughly recommend the theatre and look forward to going back some time.

Very interesting with lots to read. We did a 20 question quiz which made us get involved more. Some lovely displays and the biggest pencil in the world (with a tiny chick at the top!) It's not huge but it's full of artifacts and pencils, we even got some free ones for completing the quiz! There's tables, paper and pencils to keep younger kids busy too. There's a big shop and a cafe though we didn’t purchase from either. A couple of minutes stroll and you're in town too, close to all shops, restaurants and pubs.

Surprisingly awesome. Origins of the black market, WW2 gadgets, the WORLD'S LARGEST PENCIL - Although the lack of a sharpener of a sufficient size may prove problematic in the years to come. Museum and cafe team were friendly and welcoming and gifted us a prize when we returned triumphantly with a score of 20/20 on the in house quiz. I really wanted a spy pencil but at £45 I couldn't bring myself to part with the cash. You get a collectable pencil on arrival, that'll will have to suffice. That and the memories.

I like this museum. Nice place to visit, but personally, I had a bit of breaking heart experience with this place. A friend of mine came from China. This museum was one of the most expecting places to visit. We've arrived 4:10PM and the staff has refused to sell tickets. I tried hard to persuade them to sell mormal tickets. Nothing they insisted that the cashier unit closed and they can't do anything with. Thank you very much.

This is a really cracking museum. It shares about the history of pencil-making in Keswick and how graphite was discovered. They have quizzes for children of various ages and adults too! They were running craft activities when we visited during the school holidays. However, on a wet, school holiday day there was a significant queue to get in (because everyone wants a good wet-weather activity!) Get here early, or be prepared to queue (note that tickets CANNOT be purchased in advance). The miniature pencil sculptures at the end were really awesome to see.

I've wanted to come here ever since I was a child! It didn't disapoint. Word of advice: from our trip today 2nd Feb 2022 they have no toilets or cafe due to leaking roof and they have run out of their museum book. Ring ahead if these issues are a problem. The staff were fun and friendly and the shop, well........pencil heaven and great selection of drawing books. 45 years but I finally got here. Thank you ✏️✏️✏️✏️

I was very excited to go to this place which is the home of Derwent pencil. The museum has its own parking and their own toilets. We have enjoyed the quiz as we went around and got a gift in the end. Lots and lots of information about the pencil making back in time and more on its history and manufacturing. Good place to spend an hour in a rainy day. You will be surprised to see world’s largest pencil here.

A fun little place to visit if you are planning a trip to the Lake District. On arrival we were given a complimentary pencil and a quiz to complete (answers can be found in all the written information around the museum) which made the visit more engaging. There was even a prize at the end! ✏️ and if you feel like it, there are places in the museum to sit and draw. Overall great service, reasonable prices and a lovely day out.

Great place to visit, a very interesting history of pencils. The quiz was great, and it really made you look and read the information. Toilets were not very clean. The car park was closed but a big car park next door was available. Did have to pay to park but easy walk into Keswick.

Great little place to view of you have an hour or so spare. There is a little quiz to complete as you go round for a little gift at the end when you finish. The staff were very nice and polite and there are lots of good pieces of information here.

I had the best time at The Pencil Museum! I would recommend to fill in the Quiz, so much fun looking for the answers. The shop is amazing too

A hidden gem, that is well worth a visit. Prices are extremely reasonable (£12:50 for two adults and a child) with parking, toilet facilities and a little cafe all available. There were workshops available for children and various quizzes for adults and children to do as you wander round the museum, and prizes available once completed. The museum has had to be reinvented after the devastating floods and for a smallish area there is a lot of very interesting information especially the secret war work carried out here during World War Two. Highly recommended!

Was amazing place. Pencil museum sounds boring, right? Perish the thought! Was great. We had our little Granddaughter and she loved all the Easter themed colouring in sheets, big board colour-in facility. The history was incredible. The shop absolutely bursting with every kind of art pencil imaginable (box sets) and books. I was personally delighted to see the boxed derwent pencils I used at school 57 years ago. I remember the teacher saying we must be very careful with them and she Checked each tin as they were collected after Art class. Well worth a visit. For sure.

A really fun museum that feels very British! I loved that even the adults were given a quiz to complete on the way round. The kids' quizzes were of two different difficulties, too, which was helpful. It's a small museum but loads of interesting things to read about, and you can see the world's largest colouring pencil! Our kids (ages 7 and 5) loved it, though were frightened by the cave replica on the way in. Toilets are on the side of the museum, which is a little annoying, but they were clean and easily accessible. Lovely gift shop, too, giving you the chance to buy Derwent pencils at reduced prices.

Loved the visit today. As expected from the reviews it was a lovely day out. The museum is somewhat small but they fit a great amount in The customer service was fantastic, Loved the staffs vibe and comments. I was made to feel very special about my drawing at the end. Oh yes! You're given a quiz to challenge your knowledge through the museum, I Loved this added bit of interaction. More places should have this. We didn't eat the food but it looked lovely.

Great little museum on the history of making pencils in Keswick. Going around the museum is very entertaining particularly with the quiz it makes you engage with the information and exhibits on show more than you necessarily would. MyCumbria card members get 2-for-1 adult entry. Enjoyable, entertaining, friendly staff. Well worth the visit.

What a great way to idle away an hour visiting this museum. Still plenty of exhibits to view despite the devastation of Storm Desmond floods in 2015. Who knew the ✏️ could be so interesting❓. Free pencils if you answer the quiz questions correctly as you wonder round - most enjoyable.

Such a surprise! Went because of rain and needed something to do with my children (11 and 13!) staff were beyond lovely and really made us smile, the quiz was the right kind of hard and we learnt something! Best of all was the rarest pencil donated by Zoe Bread. Incredible.

Great pencil museum. Well worth a visit Plenty of parking, 🅿️ shop and cafe and good quiz with free pencil ✏️

Small, but perfectly formed museum dedicated to pencils. Great little quiz to earn a prize. All inside (although note have to go outside to get to the toilets), good if the classic lakes weather is working against you. World record biggest pencil located here too.

Who would have thought the humble pencil could be so interesting. The WW2 pencil was an outstanding piece of engineering. You can't go far wrong considering the place costs less than £7 (2023) to get in.

Fab - and not just for certified anoraks! Great history of pencil making in the UK with a WW2 secret link! Great shop with lots of variety of pencils and other drawing equipment and a cafe too! All on the flat so appropriate for wheelchairs and prams. Decent sized car park (council run) that you need to pay for but not expensive.

What a fantastic day out, not only for kids but adults too. The variety of animals to see is great. The talks and birds of Prey display are fab. The keepers have a great deal of knowledge and clearly take pride in the work they do at the park and they enjoy answering all of your questions. Plus the cafe sells lovely sandwiches, pasties etc and the waffle cone ice cream with flake and sauce was delicious. A definite must.

I love wildlife parks, and it makes it better that there are Red Pandas here! It's not the biggest wildlife park but there are so many different animals to see and it's a nice walk around. The animal talks are very good too. There is also a little hand feeding zone where you can feed some goats/sheep/pigs/alpacas/donkeys which is always fun for the kids (or adults haha).

The Lake District Wildlife Park offers a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Nestled amidst the picturesque Lake District landscape, the park boasts a diverse array of animals, including red pandas, lemurs, and birds of prey. Visitors can immerse themselves in interactive exhibits, guided tours, and feeding sessions, providing an educational and entertaining insight into the region's wildlife. The park's commitment to conservation and animal welfare is evident throughout, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a closer connection to nature in one of England's most stunning natural settings.

An absolute highlight of our trip to the Lake District. The animals are clearly excellently cared for and the staff we spoke to were so knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed the opportunity to feed some of the animals, such as goats, alpacas and pigs. We were also fortunate enough to meet a baby goat who had been born only that morning! The park itself is well kept, not too hilly or difficult to walk around for families. The cafe provided some welcome refreshment and respite from a brief shower of rain, toilets were clean and parking was plentiful. We also booked the Birds of Prey Experience, which gave us 1:1 time with Richard and some of the birds. We had a wonderful time learning about the birds, their routines and their training, before donning a glove ourselves and having a go at flying and recalling the birds. Richard is clearly very knowledgeable and we had a lovely time chatting to him about his role and the various animals he cares for. It was such an authentic and relaxed experience, it didn’t feel rehearsed or staged, so we really got to spend some quality time with the birds and learn more about their personalities. We’re both big fans of birds and valued the opportunity to spend time with them in such close proximity. I cannot recommend the experience enough if you’re looking for something a bit different to enjoy as a couple.

I honestly think Lake District Wildlife Park is the best value for money in the lakes. For just over £10 per person you can spend hours getting up and close to a large variety of animals. These animals range from small to large, domestic and exotic. There is a also a very nice cafe, serving coffee, hot and cold food along with a good selection of sweet treats. For the very young ones there is an indoor play barn with a very good soft play that will keep them entertained for hours. There is also a outdoor play area, that my 7 year old loved. Overall I would really recommend coming along!

Very good value for money. Good outdoor play area as well as soft play for kids. Lots of interesting animals and scheduled talks by the keepers throughout the day. A lot bigger than I thought as well which was good. Good selection of food in the cafe as well.

Great Wildlife Park with lots of happy animals cared for by hard-working, knowledgeable people. A good variety of animals: Farmyard to Forest & the more Exotic. Animal feeding for the little ones & Keeper talks & Bird of Prey displays throughout the day, which keep everyone entertained. We did the Hawk Walk experience which was absolutely mind-blowing & highly recommended!! John our guide was excellent & allowed us to fly owls, a Harris Hawk & even a Hooded Vulture! As a special treat we got to hold a Bald Eagle, which was incredibly special & something my partner & I will never forget. I'd recommend everyone to visit & support this wonderful place.

A very nice wildlife park, all the animals have lots of space to roam. We visited on a weekday and it was very quiet. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the lakes!

We go here a couple of times a year and it's been fantastic each time, All the staff are incredible and love giving information about everything you see, we never tire of seeing this place and it's nice to see when an extra has been added to an enclosure or seeing babies grow up. Definitely a lovely place to go on all times of the year, they have an indoor bird talk and outdoor along with reptiles and otter and red panda talks, food on site as well but are welcome to bring your own for a picnic near the park for kids, there's also an indoor soft play for kids. Plenty of toilets and baby changing/ disabled toilets. Everything is one level and easy to get around. The gift shop is brilliant too for all ages and has the cutest baby books there as well! Definitely a lovely day out that's not too busy.

Great little place You can feed certain animals amd the otters are just the cutest things. Looks like they're doing some improvements too. If you can catch the birds of prey talk please do, it's fab. Cafe is good and lovely little shop too. Great for little ones as can see close the animals and thees a playground with plenty of seating around it for the grown-ups.

We really enjoyed our visit, with friendly staff keen to give advice and help you with your visit. The birds of prey flight is something you must watch. Great play area for your kids.

Been to the lake district wildlife park a couple of times now and our little one loves it. A good selection of animals. Mainly birds and animals you would see in a petting zoo but there are others. Great play area and a nice little cafe for food and drinks. A good half a day out but you could stretch it into a full day if needed.

A lovely wildlife park, lots of animals wide open space, soft play area for children, 2 separate areas for different age groups. There is a shop on site and also a cafe with seating downstairs and upstairs. Staff seemed friendly. I would recommend the bird show. Would be best on a dry day. There is also a large play park with a covered picnic area if you bring your own packed lunches.

We went here during the week, it was a great experience. Easy to navigate place. Some of the animals can be hand fed by purchasing bags of feed at the entrance. Plenty of free parking. Lots of information about the animals when walking around. They hold talks and displays at various times throughout the day. Highly recommended the birds of prey display! There is a small cafe and a gift shop as well. Great place to visit.

Great morning out with our boy for his 3rd birthday. Expansive outdoor play area as well as a soft play area inside if the weather turns. The falconer was very informative and the display was impressive, although my son wasn't that bothered. Would definitely go back when it's warmer and spend more time there.

Beautiful place. A lot bigger than I expected. Animals look happy and healthy. Great play area for the kids. Food is lovely in the cafe. Watched a wonderful birds of prey show and the staff are very informative. Great day out for the family!

I booked the animal experience for my partners birthday as she loves Lemurs. We arrived at the park around lunchtime and it was really busy. We went for a walk around before our experience was due to start. They had quite a few animals and various feeding sessions throughout the day. We arrived for our experience and met with our guide who was really friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We started off going into the Meerkat enclosure and sat on a bench in the middle. With some food in our laps we soon has meerkats climbing up our legs and grabbing the food and sliding back down. They were so friendly and we were able to stroke their backs and give them a little tickle 😂 On to the tapir enclosure and the male tapir came out for a fuss. He was so placid and enjoyed being tickled under the chin and being groomed. Mum was fast asleep and didn't make an appearance 😢 Then it was off to the ring tailed Lemurs. They were absolutely adorable but due to the possibility of disease transition we were not allowed to touch them however that didn't really matter as we got so close to them. They enjoyed jumping around us whilst getting fed some carrots. All in all a fantastic experience and the staff where amazing. Highly recommended.

We had a wonderful time at the park, even though it poured with rain when we visited! The staff are very friendly + knowledgeable. A big shout out to the bird of prey keeper who spent time talking to me and my partner about all the very cool (and cheeky) birds she works with. Easy to get around, a nice array of animals on display with lots of information about each of them + the conservation work that the park does, and the enclosures are spacious. Cafe did reasonable food and drink, and the shop also had a good array of stock

Had a great time here with two toddlers who both loved it! All the animals were friendly and both boys enjoyed feeding them! The play area was very well looked after and although we didn't use it, the soft play looked good! All of the staff were lovely and helpful the only downside was the weather in the afternoon!

Lovely little animal park, the talks were informative, seeing Gonzo the vulture flying close to us was an absolutely thrilling experience. Catering is great too! Definitely recommend.

Absolutely beautiful. Even though it was a little windy and wet. The views and atmosphere was top notch. A nice little fell to climb with good views even today and with the lovely cafe and shop to finish who could want more!? Also the staff were really lovely kind and helpful.

Lovely place set up in the hills! Can’t really fault the place, as set in such lovely scenery. The only thing I would say the two main red routes are a little small, and we combined them to make it bigger with that being around 15 miles. But saying that, it appears like most places lots of other tracks out and about if you look. We kept to the main ones. Nice location with a nice cafe in the park too

What an amazing place! The Foresty Commission is managing and developing this venue with excellence. Car parking, cafe, shop, trails and paths are all so well thought out. Bicycles everywhere, happy family groups and old codgers were all enjoying the day without any trouble at all.

Really great place to explore but would have been nice to be able to find a waste bin or dog waste bin. Considering lots of visitors also had dogs with them it seems odd that there aren't any waste bins, or certainly none that we could find.

Fantastic forest set up for walks of various distances, running and cycling trails plus nice cafe, shop and facilities at the visitor centre with friendly staff

Beautiful place to walk. Came beginning of January and it was very quiet. Enjoyed the Seat How Summit Trail. Made it there and back in about 1 hour 30minutes. Would return to try another trail in the Spring

We stay in Braithwaite frequently and being so close to Whinlatter is a treat! The only thing we haven't done there is take the mountain bikes with us, there are so many great walks to go on, a cafe, shop and ample parking and even a Go Ape! This place is pretty much a one stop shop for a great day out.

Whatever the weather Whinlatter doesn't disappoint. It's a great place to take children of any age whether you're going in search of the gruffalo or they want to go ape or climb and play in many of the play areas. If all that isn't enough walks are easy and don't need planning you can turn up and follow trail markers. It's really very straightforward and the walking is majestic. The same goes for the bike trails: if it's raining it's a great option as the wind isn't bad in the forest and an easy option to braving the fells where conditions can become savage especially on the tops.

Lots to do for every age. I loved the many sign posted walks, and it's beautiful location. Lots of staff, all very friendly.

Had the most amazing time walking the forest and exploring the different paths to some fantastic views over Derwent lake. Highly recommend for people that like to take time seeing the forest and walking in the fresh air.

The adventure trail is Excellent for kids aged 2 and up. Exciting slides, water play, group swings, climbing frame, stone play and lots of good forestry fun. Great facilities, toilets coffee and ice cream all on point.. Can't wait to come back without the little ones to take advantage of the bike trails!

Very good bike trails (if you're looking for something more advanced then you won't find that here, more XC and some technical), nice family friendly walks. Good access car park, a little pricey for some as people park on the road. Cafe is nice but pricier than you'd hope for. Make sure to look online to see what bike trails and walking routes are closed in case of repairs, storm damage, etc. On site bike shop which is quite well stocked and helpful staff.

A super place in the Lake District, ideal to take the kids, plenty of parking, and a super little gift shop and great cafe on site, especially for a decent coffee or hot chocolate to keep out the Autumn chills! There is a really good Go Ape on site to challenge the kids, and it has plenty of lovely walks through the forest, giving the incredible Lakes views we all love. A short drive from Keswick, thoroughly recommended.

We got there early, with no issues with parking. You need to put your car registration in when you arrive but pay on leaving. We paid £5.50 for just under 3 hours. There are a few different walking trails to do depending on ability, and all are well sign posted. Bike and walking trails are kept somewhat separate. Although we had no children with us you could see the park was well equipped and also has a Go Ape there too. We had a lovely walk around. The cafe and shop are lovely and toilets available too. Perfect for dogs.

Wonderful day out here! 5 children between the ages of 7 and 11 all thoroughly enjoyed it! 5 adults all seemed to have lots of fun too! We considered the Go Ape too but decided we were all quite happy with the gruffolo walk and play areas. Beautiful views! Very peaceful and not too crowded (even at the picnic stops and play areas)! £8 parking for the entire day, or less of you only stay a few hours. Toilets, gift shop and cafes are all on site. Really nice family day out.

Parking 8.50 all day . Pay as you leave. Bike hire , go ape and sedges. Cafe and toilets. Spectacular scenery , different trails fir all ability, zog and gruffalo trail for younger ones . Fab day out .

Lovely day out in a very peaceful park. Great views from Seat How, the walk from the visitor centre and back taking 2 hours and it's not too strenuous. Paths well marked and gravel. Parking is £8 for all day, but about £5 for 2 1/2 hours. There's free parking on the approach road at Noble Knott and you can do some trails there or walk about 20 mins up the road to the visitor centre. Shop, Cafe bike hire and toilets are all there. Great adventure playground stuff for children too, and fun wee Gruffalo themed trails.

A lovely garden with a stunning back drop, nice to sit and watch the world go by, but also golf, electric boats, ice creams and snacks, including a menu for the fur babies in our lives

Lovely park to walk through or spend some time in. We went to see the Max miracle dog statue. It was great to see to. Inspirational dog he was.

Please 👍 if helpful. A really nice park with lots of interesting features of landscaping and really well maintained too. Give it a visit you'll be well impressed. Check out the photos too

Hope Park is beautiful. Lovely memories of Max out in the Lake District. We saw Kerry, Angela and their lovely spaniels Harry, Paddy and Tally. It was Tally's first public engagement. Crow Park next door is a great place for dogs.

Have to pay for parking / easy paying machine - Lovely scenic park with mountains in the back/ a beautiful dock / cafe’s- bird watching area . Friendly for all :) pics/ video below !

Beautiful park, well kept by the groundkeepers. Lovely arrange of flora, benches to sit on, Max the miracle dog statue, and some grassy areas to picnic on. My fav Park ❤️

Always love coming to this place. Beautiful gardens, great crazy golf, pitch and putt, café and fab ice creams. Floral displays are always fantastic. Lovely views of the mountains surrounding Keswick.

Beautiful scenery, lovely walks I wish I could spend more time but I had limited time. Will come back again.

Hope park is a beautiful place to visit, I would definitely recommend that if you can go there do so.

Beautiful park with plenty to see and do. Good food and drink and places to sit in the sun and the shade. Very well maintained.

Beautifully maintained park just a few minutes from the centre of Keswick and the shores of Derwentwater. Lovely colorful flower displays in summer. Great place for a quiet walk in very pleasant surroundings. Plenty of benches around if you want to sit and take a break, along with a café and mini golf course.

A very popular place to visit in Keswick by every person and their dogs! It is a beautiful setting with a nice grassy area for picnicking leading down to the shores of Derwent Water. Part of the park also incorporates a garden to enjoy with crazy golf, putting green, pitch and putt and radio controlled model boats. There is a small cafe kiosk and plenty of benches to sit on and watch the world go by, including the brave paddle boarders and swimmers. On nice days in high season it can get extremely busy. There is a vast Pay and Display lakeside car park near by to accommodate the many visitors but on busy days you may be a while seeking out a parking spot. Once parked though you can also enjoy strolling into Keswick town centre, the lakeside theatre, walking, and other areas of the Lake including hiring a rowing boat or self drive motor boat. There are also regular organised boat trips available. Well worth a visit! The only reason I have deducted a star is that it can be a bit too commercialised for some and it costs 50p to go to the loo! All that said the idyllic location is set against the magnificent lake and mountains. No wonder it is popular! We have visited every time we have been to the lakes at different times of the year. It is much quieter out of season.

Beautiful walk through this lovely well kept park

Beautiful park so peaceful + tranquil,lovely trees + flowers- plenty of benches to sit+ rest.There are 2 cafes,a miniature golf course + miniature boat driving.I love "Max's" statue dedicated to a wonderful Dog who with his owner Kerry has raised a lot of money for charity. Max is over Rainbow Bridge now😥🌈 but oh my he is missed + loved so much ❤

Beautiful even on a very wet day. Popped into Hope Park Cafe what a find very dog friendly lovely staff food absolutely great not overly expensive. I would think in the summer you would have trouble finding a seat. Even on a very wet cold winters morning there were people coming and going. Fantastic find.

Lovely flowers, crazy golf. Lovely place to seat and enjoy the view with ice cream or coffee

We had a great afternoon doing a meet and greet session with the Alpacas at the Lakeland Distillery site. Informative, fun and well organised.

A beautiful place in all seasons. I do love a frosty clear winter morning here and could resist stopping off on my way back home after visiting family.

Beautiful - great walks in the valley and on the nearby fells.

Bassenthwaite Lake is a hidden gem in the Lake District, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its stunning scenery, diverse activities, and peaceful atmosphere make it a perfect destination for anyone seeking a truly rejuvenating experience.

A beautiful scenic lake with lots of areas to stop and view the surroundings. I saw some great places to stop for a picnic or even a BBQ (if that's allowed). I couldn't see any water sports on this lake but that doesn't mean it's not possible to do them here.

One of the best spot in the Lake District area. Surrounded by nature and nature only. It is great for Photo Spot with all those lush greens and a beautiful lake. On the other side of the road near the car park lies an old cottage with those wonderful lamb and sheep with an old tree it serves as a picturesque. A place must for a stop when you around Lake District.

Off season Bassenthwaite Lake was lovely as it was a lot quieter so easier to find a place to park and a place to put you picnic blanket down if you wished. Blessed with the sun there were some nice little walks to explore away from the lake, great fun for the dogs but ultimately we went to swim and enjoy the views.

We passed on our way back from somewhere and were drawn to park up and enjoy the stunning views. Lots of little lay-by parking areas and paths to walk to the lake side which is pebbled. Perfect place for a quick dip or some water sports such as paddleboarding or kayaking. We had a lovely swim but for comfort I'd highly recommend wearing watershoes as walking into the water on the stones isn't the most comfortable thing 😉 Seeing the sailboats from the sailing club on the lakes was amazing.

Stunning, picturesque and beautiful view! All year around amazing. Many places to stop by car and just chill and see... The A66 runs directly by the lake. Easy to ride around by bicycle too.

Spent an afternoon kayaking on the lake. Parked in designated spot. Short amble to the lake with easy access to the water. Water was quite mild. Lots of little fish darting between my legs in the crystal clear water. Much warmer than Wastwater lake. Great fun and recommended.

Lovely little beach area to rest and relax and a little path to walk around the lake. Watched dogs having great fun chasing stones thrown into the lake. Also some very brave swimmers!

It was not a planned stop. We saw a roadside parking and headed to the lake. Hidden gem it is. Very beautiful and no less than any other lakes in lake-district. It has a beautiful panoramic view. Breathtaking. Love it. Must visit.

This is a small museum set in two rooms. All the exhibits relate to the Lake district but are wide ranging in subject and are lightly covered. It is enjoyed nonetheless. Allow an hour for a visit.

For a small museum, this place is great. My 2y/o and 10y/o loved it. There is a good amount of interactive stuff for young kids and the price is reasonable for the size of the place.

Super lovely and welcoming staff. Really interesting exhibits and entertaining for kids, too. The only negative is that it's pretty small, but if you pair it up with somewhere like Puzzling Place in Keswick as the museum won't take you more than an hour tops, then it adds a great aspect to the day. The best thing about the museum is that the price is reflective of the time you'll spend there. £11 for me and my 2 boys. Bang on, I reckon.

A lovely local museum with lots of activities for children to join in with. We enjoyed learning about the history of the local area.

Really sweet museum. It is small, but lots of little nooks and crannies and good level of interaction for kids. We were there about 45 minutes. There was a clue hunt for our daughter and we were given an extra one to use to explore the park. It's not huge but I liked it quirkiness and I don't mind paying a small amount like this to keep something going. Staff very nice and helpful. Didn't use cafe but looked nice.

We had a lovely trip exploring the Keswick Museum. My son was a little young at the time but there was still plenty for him to do and explore. I think this place would be perfect for slightly older children. Small building but so much to do and see during the self-guided tour around. Both members of staff were very welcoming and lovely, helping us out. We wished we would of came a bit sooner so we had more time to explore both the building and enjoy the huge outside area.

Very small but had a good little bit of history inside. The staff were very helpful and friendly. There are a few items for the kids to have a go at.

A small museum but very well presented and good value. Our kids really enjoyed it as there are activities dotted around. We really enjoyed the rock xylophone which you can play with. Lots of local history to take in. Situated next to a beautiful park and cafe nearby.

I really enjoyed my visit, it's a small museum but with plenty to see and do. There are lots of interactive things for adults and children to do. There's also a playground outside the cafe which is perfect for taking a break when the children get restless and then you can go back to the museum to see what's been missed the first time around.

This small museum has some interesting exhibitions, my favourite was musical stones, a massive slate glockenspiel which you can have a go at playing! I learned some golden nuggets of local history too. I felt the £7pp entry fee was slightly excessive, however this covers you for a full year.

Perfect for kids and adults. Brilliant insight into local history. There’s a lot of love evident in this community museum. I was surprised at how entertaining it turned out to be. The blurbs don’t do it justice. A child is free with a paying adult. They get a pocket history about local geology and fondle a selection of rocks before having a 3D visual of the surrounding area. The rock xylophone must be experienced in person. Kudos if you can belt out a tune. Plus there are type writers, ink and feather quills, 3 bears story telling, arts and crafts, etc. Don’t wait for a rainy day to experience it.

Came here for a cycling event. Used the cafe facilities, which was friendly and well stocked, but didn't get chance to look around the museum. It's on my list of things to do next time I visit Keswick. UPDATE: having now visited the museum I can recommend it. There are lots of interesting artifacts on display and excellent historical information about the local area.

Lovely little museum based in the corner of Fitz Park, just the other side of the picturesque river. Try your hand at actual rock music. Learn about the art history of the surrounding area. Have a go at creating your own classic industrial art. Clue trail for children (look for the foxes). 12 month pass from tome of first visit.

Visited in June 2023, the place was really nice, I wish it was bigger lol, staff were really nice and friendly

Not great weather for walking so decided to visit here. Only £9 entry which included a trip on a steam train. Loads of interesting exhibits. 2 men on the train were lovely and gave loads of information about the quarry. Lots of old machinery to look at.

Was a wet Sunday afternoon, but so glad we went to the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum. There was a lot of information and samples in the museum. The steam train ride was short but a joy, despite the rain! The staff were friendly and very helpful explaining the history to us.

This was our first time in the lake District and decided to go and have a look at this place. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and we were not disappointed with the amount of machinery that was available to look at. It's great to see the history of the place and how many quarries were available during the 1900's! A good amount of parking and even a train ride for the youngsters. And of course the spectacular view around the quarry. Coffee is available and a small collection of chocolate bars. Great way to spend a few hours

For £9 it's worth a stop. Nice little steam train ride. The kids will like panning for gold. Lots of cranes made in my home town.

We spent most of a damp day here, but would have explored more of the site with drier weather. There is an information-dense museum with stacks to read and is a real labour of love by the volunteers who put the museum together, one of whom was on hand to talk with us. The train ride (included in admission) had a mix of covered and non-covered carriages. They are currently working to expand this. They are also working on new visitor facilities (everything's a bit basic at the moment). The information could be displayed now logically (you're thrown in the deep end with lots of detail - it's missing some general intro content) but it's all fantastic - the creators have knowledge and passion in spades. Mineral panning was great too - despite cold, wet weather (check out the photo of what we gathered). Would have been great if it was dry! Can't wait to see how this develops.

Only went as the other half loves steam engines and old machinery but I actually enjoyed it. Little steam train ride to the top of the quarry, seeing all the different diggers and excavators. Staff volunteers were fabulous - dried off an outside carriage seat for us and provided us with an umbrella for the ride. So helpful. Then had a lovely bacon butty in the shed which has drinks and snacks provided by a lovely group of volunteers. Walking around checking out all the old bits of metal (in my head!) but the big man child was loving it so all was good. Loads of old machines, engines, parts, working and non working. Was a 'working day' so volunteers were out demonstrating how the machines worked. Short walk back to the car park and gift shop. More machines to see on the way out down the hill. Will definitely come back and do it all again with more time and hopefully less rain (altho it is Cumbria so...!) Was a very wet day so ground was mucked up underfoot - old boots, trainers or wellies recommend.

Great place, really interesting museum great little railway to take you round the quarry and the gentleman who volunteers there was very knowledgeable about the history of the quarry. Good to have a walk around the old machinery, well worth a visit, there was a school visiting and the kids loved it

Absolutely wonderful museum with loads of heavy machinery to pose with. All the staff were friendly and I can hugely recommend a visit.

Great experience provided by informed and witty volunteers. Gives a superb grounding in the complexities of the Lake District in terms of geology, industrial past and social history......just proves The Lakes are far more than a wet rugged region for hikers, wild swimmers and gentle tourism. Ask Peter ANYTHING 'cos he knows how to give you a story you'll remember. The rail ride to the quarry face was brilliant. We loved it all. You MUST go!

You don't need to have an interest in quarrying or machines to enjoy. The scale and array of the equipment is fascinating and if you wish there is lots to read in the museum. The train ride is a treat, made all the more so by the team member who welcomed us on board.

Absolutely great day out. The train is really fun and an informative talk when you arrive at the quarry. Would also recommend the panning

We came up for their steam gala, very rainy but the event was fantastic and all of the staff were exceptionally welcoming. Don't miss out on having a look around the vintage excavators, that is one monstrous collection.

Great little find for all ages we had the train ride as well as the panning. Very welcoming and we all enjoyed ourselves especially the panning very addictive I almost missed the train siving stones so great for all ages cakes and coffees can do better but all good.

Came here with my partner and son as we were staying in Kendal for a bank holiday break and wanted to find things to do that would appeal to a 9 year old. The Days out with the kids (DOWTK) website which is great for ideas out had this place listed as a quarry and mining museum and showed there was a real steam train that takes you to see alsorts and takes about 25 minutes. It also said that there is an underground coal mine you can visit. My son is going to be learning about these in school in September so thought it would be a great place to visit. The roads leading up to the place (not actual roads as such, more of a private land style path road) really needed some form of attention as they are terrible and nearly damaged the car. The prices then, I asked if they do the disabled / carer concession which they said not so it was quite expensive for what you actually get. It cost £27 for 2 adults and 1 child then £4 for the panning. The panning consists of getting a little shallow bowl where you scoop the stones out of a small stream and see if you can find any of the small gemstone chips. You are given a small plastic container to put them in. The inside museum is quite small. To get to the quarry there is a steep ‘path’ up the hill. It is extremely muddy and very easy to fall so you have to be very careful. When we came there was a large amount of the ‘path’ that was waterlogged and extremely muddy, basically the path really is just largely where the grass has worn away and can be difficult to walk on. I use a crutch for a walking aid and found it very difficult to get up. I’m not sure those in wheelchairs would fair well on this unfortunately. The car park and tarmac areas near the museum are very uneven and lots of holes so you really have to be careful. The steam train was nice but doesn’t last 25 minutes like the website says, the train goes so far then stops. You get out and the driver talks to you about how steam trains work. He then gets the train to the other side of the carriage and attaches it to take you back to where you came from. It was an enjoyable outing, doesn’t last very long. I’d say the whole thing took us about 1 and a half to 2 hours maximum. Parking is free. I didn’t see anywhere to get a drink or anything. The underground section that was mentioned online and the place still advertised inside the building as I noticed a couple of signs about it no longer is accessible. Apparently due to it being closed for a while during Covid, it became in a state of disrepair and as a result now apparently would cost too much to put right. It seems despite their being less at the museum to see, the price doesn’t reflect this though. I guess it is worth a visit if you like this kind of thing but it’s definitely something that once you have done it, you have done it.