top tips when visiting Keswick Reach
- activities
- family-friendly
- food and drink
- holidays
Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is the perfect countryside escape and an amazing base for exploring the local area.
Whether you’ve already booked your trip to Keswick Reach, or you are just looking for inspiration for your next break. This blog will give you the perfect round up of what to expect from the local area during your time at Keswick Reach. Have a read below at all the useful information you’ll need whilst on holiday. If you have any other questions about the resort pop over to our Keswick Reach FAQ page.
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what to do before checking in?
You can check into your accommodation at Keswick Reach from 4pm but make the most of your holiday and enjoy a day out before you head to the resort. The Lake District Wildlife Park is located just a 5-minute drive away and is the perfect place to spend a few hours exploring. Across 24 acres of parkland, you can see over 100 species of domestic and wild animals. See the likes of vultures, owls, lemurs, otters, zebras, snakes, geckos, guinea pigs and more up close with various presentations on throughout the day too. The wildlife park also has a café on site offering a range of meals, snacks, drinks, and sweet treats as well as a gift shop you can browse at the end of your visit.
what are the top things in the area?
There is so much to see and do in the Lake District that it can be hard trying to figure out what to do and what is close to the resort. So, we’ve done the research for you and put together a list of fun things to do around the area, everything listed below is under 35 minutes away so they’re perfect for a full or half day out.
1. Dodd Wood
9 min drive from resort
Dodd Wood is a woodland managed by the Forestry Commission and offers a variety of walking trails that take you deep into the woodland. The highest point is just over 500-metres above sea level so you can expect some stunning views out over the Lake District when you get to one of the many viewpoints around the woods. The four most popular trails are between 1.5 miles and 3 miles and all start from the car park. And if you fancy a bite to eat or drink you can head over to The Old Sawmill Tearoom which is located next to the car park.
2. Crummock Bank Farm: Sunflower Fields
14 min drive from resort
Crummock Barn Farm have been growing sunflowers in their fields for the past 5 years and it all started when farmer Neil Young decided to use his passion to transform 2.5 acres of his farm into a sunflower field. And 2021 was the first year he decided to open it up to the public and asked everyone who visits to make donations as they enter the field which he then donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service. So, if you are in the area during the months that the flowers are in bloom, we definitely recommend you pop down for a visit.
3. Puzzling Palace
17 min drive from resort
Located right in the town centre of Keswick, Puzzling Palace is a unique experience that only takes about an hour to explore so it’s the perfect addition if you are in Keswick for the day. There are five different exhibit areas including three illusions rooms for you to go through and there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. If you are thinking of going, please bear in mind it can get busy on rainy days and school holidays but even when it’s busy it’s a unique experience to have a go of during your time in Keswick.
4. Derwentwater Lake
21 min drive from resort
Surrounded by fells and ancient woodland, Derwentwater Lake is 5km long and offers the perfect day out if you want to explore one of the major bodies of water in the Lake District. If you want to do the walk it’s a scenic 10-mile route that takes you along the lake and into the woodlands and is perfect for a spring day. Or enjoy the cruise that takes you on a complete circuit of the lake and you can hop on and off at the little islands in the lake. There is so much to see and do around this area and as well as walking and the cruise there is also water sports you can try out if you are interested.
5. Aira Force Waterfall
33 min drive from resort
Owned by the National Trust, Aira Force Waterfall and Gowbarrow Park is a great day out for seeing some natural beauty in the Lake District. You can walk to the waterfall using the walking route that takes about an hour there and back. Enjoy views of the 65-foot waterfall at various viewpoints along the way and make sure you keep an eye out for red squirrels and the ‘wish tree’. There is also a tearoom that serves hot and cold snacks and drinks with both indoor and outdoor seating so you can stop and refuel after exploring the area.
closest shops for essentials?
Since all the accommodation at Keswick Reach is self-catering you will probably want to know the closest shops for the essentials. Whether you are going to do a full shop when you get to the resort or want to just get a few bits and bobs below you will find a variety of shops all around 20 minutes away or under.
- Sainsbury’s – 15 min drive from resort
- ALDI – 14 min drive from resort
- Lidl – 16 min drive from resort
- Booths, Keswick – 17 min drive from resort
- Tesco Express – 21 min drive from resort
where to eat out?
Although you can cook all the meals you want at your accommodation at Keswick Reach, sometimes it’s nice to have a meal out where you don’t have to cook yourself. Below is a list of various restaurants in the local area that are all under 20 minutes’ drive away.
1. Greyhound Inn
6 min drive from resort
The Greyhound Inn is a dog-friendly pub and just 6 minutes’ drive away from the resort. Open 6 days a week you can enjoy a bite to eat at lunch on your way past or stop off for some dinner in the evening. The menu consists of all the classics you’d expect from roast dinners, steak, pie, as well as plenty of choice on the kid’s menu too.
2. The Pheasant Inn
8 min drive from resort
Since being restored, The Pheasant Inn has become a perfect place to go to enjoy some delicious home cooked food in the Lake District. They use the best produce in Cumbria to create all their dishes on the seasonal menus. You can expect to find things like traditional fish & chips, pie of the week and rump steak on their menu as well as a Sunday roast menu.
3. The Belle Vue, Papcastle
12 min drive from resort
Known for being the only pub in the Papcastle village, The Belle Vue is a traditional country pub and restaurant offering a range of delicious food using the best fresh, local ingredients. On the evening menu you can expect to see things like surf & turf, beef burger, pie, roast dinner, lasagne and more. And similar on the lunch menu along with a variety of baguettes.
4. BLOCKS Steakhouse
15 min drive from resort
In 2018, the Allerdale Court Hotel asked 100 locals what restaurant they should open and 99% said steak or top-quality meats so that is what they decided. BLOCKS uses the finest quality produce from local suppliers to create their delicious food. You can enjoy a huge range of steaks and burgers along with various sides and sauces.
5. Fermento – Italian Family Kitchen
16 min drive from resort
Fermento is an Italian Family Kitchen serving up a range of delicious home cooked pizzas. Enjoy classics like margherita or meat feast or try out their loaded pizzas. They offer both dining in options and take away which is perfect when you are staying at our resort. If you are wanting to stay in but not cook, you could pop out and take away some amazing pizzas from Fermento.