Things to do in Keswick in the rain
Let’s face it, you’re bound to experience a rainy day in the Lake District but there are still loads of things to do. This is a guide to the best things to do in Keswick in the rain. It’s part of a series of posts on Things to do in the lake district when it rains. We’ve successfully spent many a rainy day in Keswick over the years.
There’s plenty to do in Keswick whatever the weather. This guide will show you arrange of ideas for things to do with kids in the rain but many of these ideas work for adults too and I’ve included some ideas like a gin distillery that are for those visiting without children.
If the weather isn’t too bad, you might still consider outdoor activities but I have included lots of indoor attractions for if you want to escape the rain.
Derwent pencil museum
This is a small museum in the heart of Keswick and it is the home of the first pencil. You’ll enter the museum through a replica graphite mine. You’ll learn about the journey of graphite and how pencils with discovered.
There is also a gift shop where you can buy from the fantastic range of Derwent pencils.
Find out more here – Derwent Pencil Museum
Keswick museum
Keswick museum in Fitz park is a great place to visit. They have regular special events and family activities. There’s a low admission cost and they have a mix of ongoing and temporary exhibitions.
Find out more here – Keswick Museum & Art Gallery
The Puzzling place
The Puzzling place is a great way to spend a bit of time on a wet day. This is an interactive place full of optical illusions. It’s the perfect place to take the family. One of my personal favourite ways to enjoy a few wet hours.
Exhibitions include an anti-gravity room, sideways room, a hologram gallery and more.
Find out more here – The Puzzling Place
Kong Adventure
There are a fantastic range of indoor activities at Kong Adventure which is in the centre of Keswick. My kids love climbing and bouldering.
Indoor attractions include a climbing wall for adults and kids aged 14 plus, an escape room, krazy kong which is suitable from age 5 and a hard play area for children aged 3.
The hard play includes a mini indoor caving, climbing and bouldering experience for young children.
Krazy Kong includes over 10 different climbing challenges such as racing up the speed wall or one that looks like a beanstalk.
Find out more and book here – Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick
Keswick climbing wall
Another climing wall to consider is Keswick climbing wall. This is a 5 minute five from Keswick town centre. There are over 40 top rope climbs with a height of up to 8 meters. It’s perfect for climbers of all abilities including children and adults.
As well as the indoor climbing wall, there is a cafe and loads of outdoor activities too.
Find out more here – Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall
Rheged centre
Rheged centre is located near the M6 in Penrith. There is a cinema, 2 cafe areas, lots of independent shops, a soft play room and a temporary exhibition that changes regularly.
We have visited the Rheged centre on many a wet day over the years and it has never failed to keep us entertained for a few hours.
Find out more here – Rheged
Keswick town centre
Why not spend a rainy day shopping in the centre of Keswick. There a mix of independent shops where you can buy gifts and local produce and some branches of large chains like Joules, Boots and WH Smiths.
There are also lots of outdoor gear shops such as the fantastic George Fishers. There are also plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. I can really recommend the burgers at The round.
Walk around the shores of Derwentwater
We love walking around Derwentwater but have not walked all the way around as yet as it is 10 miles which is too far for our whole family to walk. We have walked a reasonable distance in both direction though and it is all beautiful.
You could also take a boat ride on the Keswick launch from Derwentwater. There are multiple routes to choose from. Find out more here – Keswick Launch Co.
Hope park
Another place for short walks in the rain is Hope Park which is just before you get to Derwentwater. There is a crazy golf course that you might be happy playing if the rain isn’t too bad. There is also a mini pitch and putt, boules and remote controlled boats.
Find out more about Hope Park here.
Castlerigg stone circle
You might also like a short walk to Castlerigg stone circle in wet weather. It one of the earliest British stone circles, dating back to the Neolithic period in 3000 BC.
Find out more here – Castlerigg Stone Circle
The Lakes Distillery
This is an idea for if you are in Keswick without kids!
The Lakes Distillery produce whisky and gin and you can take a tour of either distillery. They also offer other experiences like whisky and chocolate pairing experiences.
Find out more and book here – The Lakes Distillery
Walk the Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail
There are some great wet weather walks in the lake district and one of our favourites is the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path. It’s really accessible, has a couple of tunnels for some shelter and it’s flat and a low level walk.
Find full walk details here – Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail.
Keswick Alhambra Cinema
My kids love a trip to the cinema on a rainy day. Why not see if there is anything on at the cinema on your next rainy day.
See what’s on here – Keswick Alhambra
Theatre by the Lake
A trip to the theatre might also be an option although it’s not always possible to get theatre tickets are short notice.
See what’s on here – Theatre by the Lake
Mirehouse and gardens
We visited Mirehouse and gardens on a wet day as you can see from the photo. We still had a lovely walk around the gardens, lake side and woodlands. My kids still enjoyed the play areas too.
Find out more about Mirehouse and gardens here – Mirehouse Keswick
Whinlatter forest
Woodlands are great places to walk in the rain as they can provide some shelter from the rain. Whinlatter forest is a fantastic place to walk with kids. The play trail is one of our favourites in the North West.
Find out more here – Whinlatter forest walks
More articles you might find useful
These ideas are perfect for wet days but I also have a guide for thing to do in Keswick no matter the weather which includes more ideas than these ones above. Read it here – Things to do in Keswick.
Find loads of walks nearby in this guide to Family walks near Bassenthwaite.
These are the best Easy walks near Keswick.
If you want a bit of a drive, there’s loads to do in Ambleside. Find the best things to do with kids in Ambleside here.
