Vivien’s guidebook

Vivien
Vivien’s guidebook

Sightseeing

Turn right at the mini roundabout as you enter Keswick from the A66 to head up the Borrowdale Valley. Borrowdale is famed not just for fell walking, but also for some classic rock climbing routes and scrambling opportunities. You can cycle on the road through the valley and over one of the toughest passes at Honister, or go off road on the bridleways for some more adventurous biking. Alfred Wainwright described Borrowdale as containing the loveliest square mile in Lakeland and it is hard to disagree with him. The area containing Castle Crag and Kings How were said to be of special significance and for a man who knew Lakeland so intimately, his description is quite an accolade. “It contains no high mountain, no lake, no famous crag, no tarn but in the authors humble submission it encloses the loveliest square mile in England – the jaws of Borrowdale.”
11 locals recommend
Borrowdale
11 locals recommend
Turn right at the mini roundabout as you enter Keswick from the A66 to head up the Borrowdale Valley. Borrowdale is famed not just for fell walking, but also for some classic rock climbing routes and scrambling opportunities. You can cycle on the road through the valley and over one of the toughest passes at Honister, or go off road on the bridleways for some more adventurous biking. Alfred Wainwright described Borrowdale as containing the loveliest square mile in Lakeland and it is hard to disagree with him. The area containing Castle Crag and Kings How were said to be of special significance and for a man who knew Lakeland so intimately, his description is quite an accolade. “It contains no high mountain, no lake, no famous crag, no tarn but in the authors humble submission it encloses the loveliest square mile in England – the jaws of Borrowdale.”
A thriving market town at the other end of the Lake District
126 locals recommend
Kendal
126 locals recommend
A thriving market town at the other end of the Lake District
29 locals recommend
Crummock Water
29 locals recommend
58 locals recommend
Buttermere
58 locals recommend
29 locals recommend
Wast Water
29 locals recommend
Allonby
6 locals recommend
Maryport Marina
Marine Road
6 locals recommend
150 locals recommend
Windermere
The Promenade
150 locals recommend
127 locals recommend
Bowness-on-Windermere
127 locals recommend
145 locals recommend
Ambleside
145 locals recommend
97 locals recommend
Grasmere
97 locals recommend
205 locals recommend
Keswick
205 locals recommend
121 locals recommend
Muncaster Castle
121 locals recommend
Near Keswick at Portinscale. Take a walk with the Alpacas yourself.
Alpacaly ever after (Walk With Alpacas)
Near Keswick at Portinscale. Take a walk with the Alpacas yourself.
75 locals recommend
The Lakes Distillery
75 locals recommend
Muncaster Castle and Gardens, plus Hawk and Owl Centre is a superb Lake District attraction and ideal for family days out in Cumbria.
121 locals recommend
Muncaster Castle
121 locals recommend
Muncaster Castle and Gardens, plus Hawk and Owl Centre is a superb Lake District attraction and ideal for family days out in Cumbria.

Theatre and Entertainment

Great live music venue in Carlisle.
6 locals recommend
Sands Centre
6 locals recommend
Great live music venue in Carlisle.
Local music venue and theatre in Workington with many live bands and interesting shows.
Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre
Finkle Street
Local music venue and theatre in Workington with many live bands and interesting shows.
Keswick's Theatre by the Lake. Check their website for shows which coincide with your stay.
71 locals recommend
Theatre by the Lake
Lake Road
71 locals recommend
Keswick's Theatre by the Lake. Check their website for shows which coincide with your stay.
Situated on Dunmail Park near Workington ... our nearest cinema.
6 locals recommend
Plaza, The Cinemas
Siddick Road
6 locals recommend
Situated on Dunmail Park near Workington ... our nearest cinema.
Never been but its very popular!
13 locals recommend
Keswick Climbing Wall
13 locals recommend
Never been but its very popular!
Take a trip on a great scenic route on The La'al Ratty Railway as it is locally known.
108 locals recommend
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Co.Ltd
Main Street
108 locals recommend
Take a trip on a great scenic route on The La'al Ratty Railway as it is locally known.
15 locals recommend
Senhouse Roman Museum
The Promenade
15 locals recommend

Our Favourite Restaurants

Great Family friendly pub with great food and a garden
The Dovenby Ship
Great Family friendly pub with great food and a garden
Elegant Cockermouth Hotel with formal Restaurant and a Bistro. Great food and great decor.
12 locals recommend
Trout Hotel
3 Crown St
12 locals recommend
Elegant Cockermouth Hotel with formal Restaurant and a Bistro. Great food and great decor.
Great food in lovely setting with live music on some nights.
9 locals recommend
Frederick's
43 Station St
9 locals recommend
Great food in lovely setting with live music on some nights.
Great Coffee stop and varied and interesting menu.
24 locals recommend
Cockermouth Sweetie Shop
11 South St
24 locals recommend
Great Coffee stop and varied and interesting menu.
Attached to Mitchells Auction House (viewing day Wednesday ... auction day Thursday). Lovely coffee and cake!
12 locals recommend
VeeVa! Cockermouth
49 Station Rd
12 locals recommend
Attached to Mitchells Auction House (viewing day Wednesday ... auction day Thursday). Lovely coffee and cake!
Really lovely home cooked food ... probably need to book!
9 locals recommend
The Belle Vue, Papcastle
9 locals recommend
Really lovely home cooked food ... probably need to book!
Fabulous! Formal Restaurant, comfortable lounge bar with lake views and new Thai Restaurant. Not to mention the lovely new Spa!
11 locals recommend
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
11 locals recommend
Fabulous! Formal Restaurant, comfortable lounge bar with lake views and new Thai Restaurant. Not to mention the lovely new Spa!
Gorgeous log fire and elegant homely setting with lovely food.
The Borrowdale Hotel
B5289
Gorgeous log fire and elegant homely setting with lovely food.
Tucked away in Grange in Borrowdale at the foot of the fells. Lovely setting, lovely food.
The Borrowdale Gates
Tucked away in Grange in Borrowdale at the foot of the fells. Lovely setting, lovely food.
Fabulous watering hole and lunch stop for walkers and also for those of us who work in the valley! Great coffee, friendly welcome.
Grange Cafe Limited
Fabulous watering hole and lunch stop for walkers and also for those of us who work in the valley! Great coffee, friendly welcome.
Elegant Hotel at Seatoller at the top of Borrowdale. Great lunches! We haven't ried the evening menu yet but I'm sure its fab! Glara Mara hosts outdoor activities too.
Glaramara Hotel
Elegant Hotel at Seatoller at the top of Borrowdale. Great lunches! We haven't ried the evening menu yet but I'm sure its fab! Glara Mara hosts outdoor activities too.
Forma lRestaurant and Brasserie too. Old world charm and lovely food near Bassenthwaite Lake
13 locals recommend
The Pheasant Inn Hotel & Restaurant
13 locals recommend
Forma lRestaurant and Brasserie too. Old world charm and lovely food near Bassenthwaite Lake
Take a tour of the distillery and eat in the elegant restaurant.
75 locals recommend
The Lakes Distillery
75 locals recommend
Take a tour of the distillery and eat in the elegant restaurant.

Spa Relax and Chill Out

Not been myself but totally recommended by the "girls". Pricey but worth it!
13 locals recommend
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa in Lake district
B5291
13 locals recommend
Not been myself but totally recommended by the "girls". Pricey but worth it!
Been to the Spa here. Total heaven!
11 locals recommend
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
11 locals recommend
Been to the Spa here. Total heaven!