Summer holidays in and around Keswick
Summer Holidays 2026
This page is being updated constantly so check back regularly for new summer events scheduled
Whinlatter Forest
Gruffalo, Wild play and Room on a Broom trails for the kids this summer at Whinlatter Forest
Theatre by the Lake
Nell Gwynn
Thursday 9 July – Saturday 1 August 2026
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy’s restored, and women are finally allowed on stage. One woman is about to take it by storm.
Mirehouse & Gardens
For the youngsters, the woodland playgrounds and family natures notes are always popular. There is plenty of space to burn off excess energy along the heather path maze in the Bee Garden, on the terraced lawns and skimming stones by Bassenthwaite Lake. Bring a picnic or lovely home made treats are available aplenty at the Old Sawmill Tearoom across the road.
The Lingholm Estate
July 14th - 7:00 pm-9:15 pm
A fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with The Three Musketeers performed at the gorgeous Lingholm Estate, on the outskirts of Keswick.
A wonderful event for the whole family, the talented Illyria Theatre Company celebrates this traditional tale in a thrilling outdoor show for Friends of Calvert Trust raising funds for the Lake District Calvert Trust.
Gates open at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm.
Bring a chair, blanket and picnic and come prepared for the Cumbria weather!
Ultimate Cycling Adventures
Get on your Bike
For guided cycling tours of the North Lakes area, Ultimate Cycling Adventures can create bespoke tours for all ages and abilities and riding preferences.
Lowther Castle & Calvert Lakes
August 19th - 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
A fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with Pinocchio performed to the stunning backdrop of Lowther Castle!
A wonderful event for the whole family, the talented Illyria Theatre Company celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show for Friends of Calvert Trust raising funds for the Lake District Calvert Trust.
Tickets include entry into Lowther Castle and Gardens on the day of the performance too.
Gates open at 4.30pm for a 5.30pm start.
Bring a chair, blanket and picnic and come prepared for the Cumbria weather!
Whinlatter Forest
Wild Things Adventure Club
Wild Things Adventure Club at Whinlatter is an amazing holiday club for children aged 5– 14.
Expect lots of exploring, bushcraft, wildlife and outdoor skills led by experienced teachers and outdoor practitioners.
Multiple Dates throughout July and August
9am - 5pm each day
The Keswick Mouse Trail
All the mischievous little mice from the Keswick Cheese Deli have escaped and are hiding in lots of wonderful shops around the town. Can you help to find all 24 of them?
A perfect family activity, you can do it all in one go or spread it out over your stay in Keswick. Maps can be collected from the Keswick Cheese Deli
Lake District Wildlife Park
Meet The New Arrivals This Summer at Lake District Wildlife Park!
Welcome to four cheeky Bush Dogs – Gromit, Odie, Gnasher and Taz
Annie and Noor, beautiful new Smooth-Coated Otters
new female Red Panda Zaya
And that's not all! Get up close to our friendly domestic animals and enjoy hand-feeding our goats, sheep, alpacas, donkeys and zebu – a favourite experience for children and adults alike.
With a fantastic adventure playground, delicious on-site café, and hundreds of amazing animals to discover, there's something for everyone at Lake District Wildlife Park this school holiday.
Keswick Show
Keswick Agricultural Show
Bank Holiday Monday - 31st August
A fantastic day out for the whole family
Thirlmere Recreation Hall
Thirlmere Open Flower Show Saturday 1st August 2026
Thirlmere's 76th show! Everyone is welcome to join the cut and thrust of the competitions or come and share the buzz when the doors open at 2.30pm on Saturday 1 August. As a bonus, the Thirlmere WI will be selling teas, and they're second to none!
To find out more search for Thirlmere Open Flower Show on FB
Head to the Park
We've a choice of outdoor play areas around Keswick. Fitz Park, close to the town centre, has a fantastic children's playground, outdoor gym, a multi use games area and BMX track as well as a large open recreational area. There are also grass tennis courts and a putting green. At the other end of town, close to the lake, Hope Park has crazy golf, putting, a pitch and putt course and remote controlled boats. Whinlatter Forest Park, just outside Keswick, has a wonderful adventure playground laid out as a trail through the forest where children can explore the natural environment. It includes an archimedes screw, secret doors in trees and a series of pulleys to move millions of little pebbles. Nearby at Mirehouse Historic House the grounds are home to four woodland adventure playgrounds and a heather path maze in the Bee Garden.
Go for a Walk
Take a look at our Family Walks page where you'll find a selection of routes from buggy friendly walks for young families to more challenging routes for those with older children.
The multi-user railway trail between Keswick and Threlkeld allows families of all ages to get out together as you can use the path on foot, bike, scooter, buggy and wheelchair. There are lots of information panels along the way where you find out more about local nature and wildlife as well as the history of the railway.
Head up to Whinlatter Forest, England’s only true mountain forest, where you'll find walking trails of varying lengths to suit all abilities
Take a Walk on the Wildside
Take a walk with an alpaca, a unique chance to bond with one of the Alpacas as you lead them, feed them and even take them for a dip in the lake. Alpaca Meet and Greets are great for all the family, lasting around half an hour and allowing you to get up close.
Or spend the day at the Lake District Wildlife Park - see over 100 species of wild and domestic animals in 24 acres of parkland set amongst breath-taking scenery. There are birds of prey and a rare breed farm animal collection. Play areas, picnic sites and a café make it a fun day out for all the family.
Indoor Fun
Head to Puzzling Place, a world of optical Illusions. Be amazed by interactive illusion exhibits, artwork and sculptures and see balls roll uphill in the anti-gravity room.
At the Derwent Pencil Museum discover the history of pencil making and see the world's largest pencil. Visit Keswick Museum where you'll find digital activities and engaging exhibitions.
Click here for more details of our local attractions.
Outdoor Adventures
There are a wide range of family activities around Keswick. Whinlatter Forest is home to Go Ape, a fantastic treetop adventure where you can swing through the trees or if you’d rather stay down on the ground, you can enjoy the all-terrain Segways to explore Whinlatter forest from a thrilling new perspective.
From Ghyll Scrambling to Indoor Climbing, Rookery Woods to Canoeing, there are lots of exciting adventures waiting for you at Keswick Climbing Wall & Outdoor Activity Centre.
Find out more about water based activities here including sailing, paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing. To find out more about outdoor activities around Keswick click here.
Get on Your Bike
Cycling is a fun way to explore the area and, if you haven't brought your bike with you, you can hire one from Cyclewise in Whinlatter Forest where you'll find a choice of mountain bike trails.
The pump track in Fitz Park is a very popular destination for riders from beginners through to advanced. For younger riders, just learning to ride a bike or not yet confident to go on the road, the perimeter path, which runs all way around the park, makes a great circuit.
The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail is a 10km out and back off-road route with gentle gradients. Being a multi-user trail it is great for the whole family with cyclists, runners, push-chairs, walkers and mobility scooters all sharing the space.
Read Our Blogs
For more inspiration about what to see and do in the Keswick area read our blogs.
What's On
From Family Fun to Festivals and Shows, check out what's on in Keswick
