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World Heritage Signature Experiences
Keswick and Ullswater
The Keswick and Ullswater region has one of the most dramatic settings of all Britain’s Neolithic stone circles; dramatic scenery of Skiddaw and Helvellyn in the northern fells; and is home to drama on stage at the most stunning location for a theatre in the UK.
With our partners Lakes Culture, we have selected some memorable and must-do World Heritage experiences in the dramatic north Lakes. Choose to do one or all of them, then find a great place to stay with our suggestions below.
Theatre by the Lake Summer Season
Described by The Telegraph as “the most gorgeously situated theatre in England”, Theatre by the Lake also has an enviable reputation for hosting award-winning productions, actors and providing visitors with an award-winning welcome. This spring, Theatre by the Lake will be entertaining us with A Streetcar Named Desire, a tribute play to Nina Simone, Great Expectations, shows and activities for families in the school holidays, the Words by the Water literary festival, Keswick Jazz and Blues Festival and the Keswick Mountain Festival.
The eagerly anticipated summer season at the theatre opens on 24 May. Time to get to the Lakes and see some amazing shows within our World Heritage scenery.
Mountain Goat Tour
Short on time? Not confident driving on our country roads? Want someone else to drive so you can concentrate on the views? Whatever the reason, it’s worth booking onto this half day tour with Mountain Goat.
Starting from Windermere you will experience a scenic tour that takes you over the Lake District’s highest mountain pass to enjoy the impressive views of Ullswater, stop at Castlerigg Stone Circle which is older than Stonehenge and the most impressive panoramic setting of all Britain’s stone circles. The tour takes you through the glacial valley of St John’s in the Vale and finishes with an opportunity to wander around the beautiful historic village of Grasmere.
Steamers for stops and sights around Ullswater
Environmentally accredited attraction, Ullswater Steamers has been operating on Ullswater lake over 150 years.The heritage vessels take in stops and sights around the 14.5km long lake that tell the story of our cultural landscape.
In spring you can see the daffodils Dorothy Wordsworth wrote about in her diaries that inspired some of the most famous lines in English poetry. There are stops at the spectacular Aira Force waterfalls and Glenridding, where you can start your hike to the Helvellyn summit towering over the lake. Or you can just sit back and admire the same stunning views that inspired JMW Turner.
Help conserve our World Heritage site and enjoy great savings on travel around the Lake District with Northern Rail and Stagecoach buses
Explore Deep Inside Honister Slate Mine
Following the original underground mine workings at England’s last working slate mine, you can experience the adrenaline of vertical climbs, rope-bridge crossings and steel ladder ascents deep inside the 900 year old mine in the heart of Fleetwith Pike. This is a unique experience to discover a secret world of hidden passages and magnificent caverns where miners used to extract rock for roofing slates. The Climb the Mine experience ends as you emerge outside to a spectacular view of one of England’s highest mountain passes.
Minimum age is 10 years and older and 1.3 meters and taller. All essential equipment will be provided by Honister on arrival.
More info on Honistor Mine and to book
To own an authentic piece of the Lake District’s 450 million year history, you can purchase beautiful Honister Green Slate products in the shop after Climbing the Mine or online
We have a collection of great places to stay around the Keswick and Ullswater area.
Please click any of the links below to view details and book your stay.
Laurel Bank
Laurel Bank B&B is a guest house in Keswick which prides itself on the high quality of its bed and breakfast holiday accommodation.
Lane Head Farm Country Guest House
Charming 18thC former farmhouse, close to Keswick & Ullswater. Set amid panoramic views of surrounding fells. Individually designed en-suite rooms, guest lounge, free onsite car parking, dogs welcome, cycle storage & free WiFi.
Wood Farm Self-Catering Cottages
Barn conversion situated in rural area close to Lorton Vale with easy access to Keswick and Cockermouth.
Ullswater View Cottage
Location, location, location the three things you need for the perfect holiday cottage and this has all three. Ullswater View cottage was built for the miners of the Greenside Lead Mine and is situated 1/2 mile above Ullswater.
Sunnyside Guest House
Large Victorian house with private car park, situated in a quiet position approximately 3 minutes from the town centre. All rooms are very well furnished with en suite facilities.
Stone Cottage
EnjoyEngland gold award 2008 and much improved since then. A luxuriously renovated, character house in the tiny hamlet of Deepdale. Beautifully presented in contemporary, country style. Roaring log fire, beams and magical views.
Rowling End & The Mouse House
Rowling End Farm and The Mouse House Rowling End are located in the Newlands Valley, with private gardens and access straight on to the fells.
Glencoe Guest House
A charming Victorian home, capturing its original character, offering a warm friendly welcome. Run by outdoor enthusiasts with local knowledge of fells and surrounding area, whose aim is to please. Cycle storage, drying room, flask filling
Lillibet Cottage
Situated just two minutes' walk from the market square at the heart of the popular town of Keswick, Lillibet Cottage is a delightful and somewhat quirky cottage that has been finished in contemporary manner to offer quality accommodation in
The Keswick Country House Hotel
A short walk away from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in 4 acres of landscaped gardens. The hotel has a Victorian conservatory and cocktail bar, as well as a beautiful restaurant.
Kirkstile Inn
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
Stair Cottage
Traditional Lake District luxurious cottage. Under Catbells and Causey Pike in the small hamlet of Stair, 10 mins walk form the Swinside Inn and three miles from Keswick. Wonderful fell walking from the door and fish from the Newlands Beck.
The Kings Head
A former 17thC coaching inn situated at the foot of Helvellyn in the heart of the Lake District, The Kings Head is surrounded by spectacular scenery with unsurpassed views toward St Johns in the Vale, Blencathra and Skiddaw.
Cragside
This small and friendly guest house is located a short walk from the town centre and many of the rooms enjoy fine views of the surrounding fells. Bedrooms are well equipped and the breakfast room overlooks the small front garden.
Ashness Farm
Our family welcome you to experience the charm of Lakeland from within a working fell farm with its origins in the 16thC. We have 5 double/twin en suite rooms, 3 with baths, each having a spectacular view across Derwentwater.
Elm How, Cruck Barn & Eagle Cottage
Near Patterdale and Glenridding, we have 3 self-catering holiday cottages all offering quiet, comfortable accommodation. Elm How, sleeps 8 and Cruck Barn, sleeps 2 are in the Grisedale Valley above Patterdale, near Ullswater.
Apartment 7, Harney Peak
Luxury apartment in traditional Lakeland building equipped with all modern conveniences. Set in the peaceful village of Portinscale on the edge of Derwentwater, 1 mile from Keswick. Pubs\restaurants within walking distance.
Over Brandelhow
The views down the Borrowdale valley from the cottage must be some of the best in the area. The location is so peaceful and has great walks from the doorstep. The sitting room has an electric log effect fire.
Whitbarrow Village
Conveniently located just fifteen minutes from the M6 motorway and halfway between Penrith and Keswick, the Whitbarrow Village resort sits beneath the Blencathra Fell and offers both luxury and serenity to all who visit.
Castlerigg Hall Glamping
Camping Pods and Glamping have become very popular and here in the Lake District we can now offer a variety of accommodation here at Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park to suit most budgets.
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