This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Keswick.
Keswick is one of the best places to base yourself on a visit to the beautiful Lake District. There are a wide range of accommodation options and a number of good quality Keswick hostels in the town and surrounding areas. In comparison with many other towns and villages in the Lake District, Keswick provides a full range of facilities in terms of eating, drinking, shopping, and banking.
The town sits on the banks of Derwentwater, one of the most beautiful of all the Lakes, and in the shadow of Skiddaw, one of the most impressive peaks in the Lake District. If you are looking for an easier walk before returning to your Keswick hostel, then Catbells on the far shore of Derwentwater is a less strenuous walk that provides some spectacular views from the summit. Cruises also run out on the lake if you are feeling less energetic, and the town centre is within easy striking distance of the mystical stone circles at Castlerigg and the breeding Ospreys on neighbouring lake Bassenthwaite. In the town itself, there is the Puzzling Place, a world of optical illusions, mazes and trickery, and the Cumberland Pencil Museum, which celebrates the history of graphite mining and pencil-making in the area.
The town is based around a large, pedestrianized street, which is lined with pubs, restaurants, and bakeries and where there are frequent markets held. There are also a number of well-stocked local supermarkets selling local brews, ideal for stocking up if you are self catering. In addition there are a couple of excellent fish and chip shops within the town centre and the Keswick hostels are all situated within easy walking distance of the centre of the town. Whilst it isn't known for raucous nightlife, there are a number of pubs with late-night licenses and one of the few nightclubs in the area. Parking in the summer can be quite challenging; however, most Keswick hostels participate in the disc parking system, which allows on street parking. As befits one of the major Lakeland towns, Keswick is an excellent place to base yourself in order to explore this beautiful area whilst benefiting from the facilities of a big town!
Written by local enthusiast for Keswick hostels
Howellsey