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Food & Drink Trails in Carlisle, The Western Lake District and Coast - Discover Keswick and Derwentwater

Keswick is a long-term favourite for visitors who come to the town to admire its majestic peaks, enjoy walks and activities around Derwentwater or spend time exploring the picturesque, almost alpine looking town.

However, delve a little deeper and you’ll find Keswick is a foodies’ paradise, whether you’re looking for delicious produce to take home or a fabulous place to dine or enjoy a morning coffee, Keswick has it all. Plus, those looking to make a longer break of it, the deliciousness doesn’t just stop at the obvious bars, cafes and restaurants.  Many hotels in the town and surrounding area are fast gaining a reputation for offering up high quality, Cumbrian cuisine with flair and style!

So let us take you on a trip that will expand your tastebuds…..and possibly your waistline!

What better way to start a day in Keswick than at Hope Park, one of the town’s main parks and centrally located right between the town centre and Derwent Water – an ideal spot to get your bearings! Café Hope offers up light bites and ice creams and is also the place to go to take part in one of the park’s fun activities including pitch and putt, crazy golf and boules.  Alternatively, why not combine breakfast or lunch with a spot of shopping in one of the town’s other cafes with a difference.  At The Bench café, you can shop for jewellery while you tuck into a variety of tasty treats or why not pick up your latest outdoor wear and equipment when you dine at Elm Café and Kombucha – perfect fuel for your day out!

To soak in Keswick’s beautiful location, try the Lakeside café and restaurant at Theatre by The Lake and watch the boats come and go while you eat. Alternatively, head to the other side of the lake and enjoy the famously enormous scones at Nichol End Marine café on their beach or terrace right by the water.

With new gear and full bellies head out of Keswick to nearby Whinlatter Forest, an adventurer’s playground with hiking and cycling trails and an array of flora and fauna. Enjoy a walk and refuel at Café Ambio where you can enjoy café classics in a picturesque setting which enjoys visits from red squirrels, deer and wild birds.

Upon returning to Keswick there is always time for a beer and Keswick Brewery’s Tap Room and Beer Shop is the place to be.  You don’t have to love beer to enjoy a visit as the bar also stocks a full range of wines, spirits, ciders and soft drinks, or you could head to the completely alcohol-free No Monkey Business, one of Keswick’s newest establishments. If cheese is more your style, also in the centre of town is Keswick Cheese Deli, a shop literally bursting at the seams with all things cheese, including local producers such as Thornby Moor Dairy.

While you’re there, why not choose your favourite cheese, add accompaniments such as a Keswick Ale Chutney from Wild & Fruitful, and call at Bryson’s for some speciality bread and head off to Crow Park to enjoy a delicious picnic in the stunning surroundings. On market days (Thursday and Saturday) you can top up your picnic with tasty treats from The Coffee Kitchen Bakery and more local cheese from Torpenhow.

Come the evening, stay in the centre of Keswick where pubs and restaurants offer everything from traditional Lakeland fayre in one of the many pubs to a taste of the Orient at Star of Siam or venture out past the stunning Derwent Water to the far end of the Lake and the Borrowdale Hotel or The Borrowdale Gates Hotel, set in the most stunning valley these hotels offer lunches, afternoon teas, dinner and overnight accommodation.

         

The Cumberland Food & Drink Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus