Discover the Local Culture, Arts & History
Whatever the weather, the Lake District has plenty of things for you to do and see.
Here are some useful websites to help you get started.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
The Theatre by the Lake |
The Theatre by the Lake is situated on the shores of Derwentwater in Keswick. It opened in 1999 and since then, a resident company of up to 14 actors perform a Summer Season of six plays from May to November. The theatre also produces a Christmas show and two Spring shows as well as hosting major festivals including the Words by the Water literature festival, the Keswick Jazz Festival, the Keswick Film Festival and the Keswick Beer Festival. The theatre also hosts a wide range of visiting drama, music, dance, talks, comedy and film. We are delighted to be Ambassadors for the Theatre by the Lake and our guests can receive £3 off each ticket you purchase when you book through Hermiston Guesthouse (some exclusions apply). Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ. Grid Reference NY 264227 Box Office telephone 017687 74411. |
The Lakes Distillery |
Recently opened on the site of a farm in December 2014, the Lakes Distillery is situated near Bassenthwaite, with its own Visitor Centre, an artisan bar and bistro and a shop selling distillery products and other locally produced goods. At the Visitor Centre you can learn how they make Malt, Gin and Vodka, using Lakeland water, with a tour of the distillery including the stillroom and the warehouse where the whisky matures. The Lakes Distillery is open every day except Christmas Day. The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite Lake, CA13 9SJ. Grid Reference NY 220290 Tel: 01768 788850 |
The Pencil Museum |
Right in the centre of Keswick, the heart of the Lake District, is a quirky museum where you can see a giant, an escape artist’s pencil, and the world’s longest colour pencil! They have workshops and classes from animation, cartoons and illustrations to model making. The Pencil Museum, Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA125NG.
Grid Reference NY 268235 |
Wordsworth House & Garden |
William and Dorothy Wordsworth were born in this stunning Georgian townhouse in Cockermouth. You can see costumed servants working and real foods in the kitchen, as the knowledgeable guides bring Wordsworth’s childhood home to life. The garden is a filled with heritage flowers and vegetables just as it would have been when the Wordsworth’s played there as children. Today there are children’s activities during the holidays, and a café serving homemade cakes and light lunches. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house Wordsworth House & Garden, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX. Grid Reference NY 118307 |
Thornthwaite Galleries |
This hidden gem just down the road from Hermiston is a must for all art lovers. It has more than 100 local artists who regularly exhibit their paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. They have a quaint teashop with home made cakes, scones and toasted sandwiches. Thornthwaite Galleries, Thornthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA125SA. Grid Reference NY223254 Telephone 017687 78248 |
Dove Cottage |
Dove Cottage was the Lakeland home of the poet William Wordsworth, who fell in love with Grasmere and Dove Cottage, during a walking tour of the Lake District in 1799. Whilst living in this inspirational setting Wordsworth produced the most famous of his poems and his sister Dorothy wrote her famous Grasmere Journals. Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH. Grid Reference NY 343069 Telephone 015394 35544 |
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop |
Situated in a quaint 1630's school, this tiny Lakeland shop is famous worldwide for its gingerbread, rum butter, fudge and mint cake and their staff look fabulous in traditional period costume. Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Church Cottage, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SW. Grid Reference NY 338 077 Phone:015394 35428 |
The Heaton Cooper Studio |
The Heaton Cooper Studio opposite the village green in Grassmere has three galleries exhibiting more than 100 prints by the art family Heaton Cooper and the sculptures of Ophelia Gordon Bell. The Heaton Cooper Studio, Broadgate, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SX Grid Reference NY 339 072 |
The Keswick Brewing Company |
A craft brewery within two minutes walk of Keswick town centre, you can enjoy a brewery tour where they’ll show you how sheep’s wool is used to brew beer! You can buy bottled beers, mini casks and hampers from the shop. Pre-booking is strongly recommended. http://www.keswickbrewery.co.uk The Old Brewery, Brewery Lane, Keswick, Cumbria, CA125BY. Grid Reference NY 267235 Telephone 017687 80700. |
