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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.
Great Gable
One of a small number of exclusive apartments and houses built on the lower slopes of Skiddaw and an enviable south facing location with fabulous views over Keswick and Derwentwater to Borrowdale and surrounding 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
Brun Lea Guest House
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Scales Farm Country Guest House
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick, 10 mins from M6. All rooms en-suite, beamed lounge, private parking, bicycle storage and drying room. Mobility and dog friendly rooms.
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.
Hazel Bank Country House
Award-winning Hazel Bank, an early Victorian country house, stands secluded and peacefully amidst beautiful 4-acre gardens with breathtaking views of Great Gable and other central Lakeland fells. Recently refurbished to exacting standards.
Crookwath Cottage
Crookwath Cottage is the ultimate hideaway cottage. Aga, wood fires, walks straight from the door onto the Dodds. Sleeps 2-6 people. Cost range between £595-£1295per week. Private 25 acre woodland along the Aira Beck.
Lyzzick Hall Hotel
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with immediate access to superb walks and forest trails. Located on a lower slope of Skiddaw mountain.
Bramblewood Cottage Guest House
Welcoming guest house overlooking Fitz Park serving an extensive breakfast using locally sourced products with a Breakfast Award. All prices include breakfast. Home from home, warm and welcoming. Recently refurbished to a high standard.
The Horse and Farrier Inn
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely refurbished facilities – locally sourced food, local real ales, open fires bedrooms and suites to suit all.
Lanefoot Loft
Lanefoot Loft is a one bedroom self-catering studio apartment, attached to Lanefoot Farm house in Thornthwaite, near Keswick in the Lake District.
Beech House
Beech House is a family run guest house offering a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is situated in the small village of Glenridding in the beautiful Eden valley.
Low Melbecks Barn
This impressively renovated Lakeland barn lies in an enviable location just a mile from Bassenthwaite Village in a fine rural area on the edge of the Skiddaw Fells, a perfect spot for walking or relaxing.
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.
Leonards Field House
A traditional lakeland Guest House serving outstanding, locally sourced, freshly prepared breakfasts and offering high quality, recently decorated and well-equipped rooms. Only 2 minutes from centre of Keswick.
The Coach House, Derwent Cottage
The Coach House is a ground-floor, 1-bedroom apartment with access through French windows to secluded gardens. It offers comfortable and peaceful accommodation for the less abled in a location ideal for exploring.
Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
The Lodge in the Vale
The Lodge is all en suite with satellite TV, full range of internet access including broadband and wifi. The residents' lounge has breathtaking views and has a feature fireplace with real fire. Pets welcome by prior arrangement.
Broad How
Spacious, comfortable, warm and well-equipped, Broad How is a charming, large Lakeland house, sleeping 14, ideally sited in an acre of grounds, 0.5 mile from village of Patterdale, pub and shop. Restaurants, steamer and boat hire 1.5 miles.
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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