Places to Visit in the Lake District | Highside Farm

Places to visit

In the Lake District

Bassenthwaite Lake

The only ‘Lake’ in the Lake District. It is one of the largest at 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, but also one of the shallowest (70 ft). It can often be seen full of sailing boats from Bassenthwaite Sailing Club. It’s also the perfect destination for those wanting a paddle or swim, or even a something a bit more adventurous like paddle boarding or kayaking.

Whinlatter Forest

Whinlatter is home to stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play. Set within the Lake District, a World Heritage Site, Whinlatter has unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. It is also home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Lake District.

Honnister Slate Mine

Located on an iconic mountain pass in the heart of Lake District National Park, Cumbria, Honister is England’s last working slate mine and home to some of the most unique adventure activities you’ll find in the UK. From guided mine tours to heart-racing adrenaline activities like Via Ferrata and Cliff Camping.

Derwent Water Marina

Derwent Water Marina offers a wide selection of watersports to suit all ages and abilities. Whether you are a complete novice, in need of a refresher, looking to perfect your skills or perhaps take your sport to the next level, they’ve got it covered.

Keswick Market

Award winning market every Thursday and Saturday in the heart of the town centre. Each stall has a unique offering, ranging from local produce to arts and crafts, as well as a celebrated selection of hot and cold foods to sample on site or takeaway and try at home.

Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake is Britain’s most remote producing theatre. The theatre produces its own productions of classic, modern, and new plays throughout the year, which are recognised nationally for their artistic merit, along with hosting a wide variety of touring theatre and music performances.

Keswick Launch

The Launch company offers Lake District cruises around Derwentwater throughout the year. The launches start their journey from the Keswick boat landings and cruise around the lake stopping at seven lakeshore jetties where you may embark or join the various boats. Alternatively, stay on the boat and enjoy the 50-minute trip around Derwentwater.

The Lakes Distillery

Enjoy interactive tours of the state-of-the-art distillery, to suit all ages. Following the journey of how the distillery’s spirits are made, each tour ends with a tasting of their award-winning spirits. Informal dining and drinks are available at the on-site restaurant, Bistro at the Distillery, showcasing locally sourced ingredients and honest, hearty flavours.

Alpacaly Ever After

Ever wanted to take some alpacas out for a walk? Of course you have… and now you can. Located in various location in the Lake district with various activities such as meet the alpacas to Llama Trekking.

Newlands Adventure Centre

Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest established outdoor activity centre. Activities include Ghyll Scrambling, Canoeing, Kayaking and Archery.

Keswick Climbing Wall

Just a 5-minute drive from the centre of Keswick on Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Keswick Climbing Wall offers indoor climbing, bouldering and indoor archery all year round, so it is an ideal venue if it is wet.

Armathwaite Hall

Steeped in history and surrounded by magnificent Lakeland views, this elegant country house epitomises style and hospitality of a bygone era. four-star 17th century former stately home has a Lake View restaurant and a beautiful spa.

Keswick Adventures

They deliver exciting outdoor activities & things to do in Keswick and the Lake District including ghyll scrambling, climbing, abseiling, kayaking, raft building, via ferrata, Climb The Mine, & coasteering!

Hope Park

Hope Park has attractive landscaped gardens with a stream and woodland walk, set in magnificent scenery overlooking the fells. Offering family fun with the very popular 18-hole Crazy Golf course, a 9 hole Pitch and Putt course, a 18 hole putting green, and a boules pit for Petanque.

Mountain Goat

Mountain Goat delivers a range of sightseeing tours around the Lake District. With over 50 years of experience, they offer small group tours where guests will travel throughout the Lake District, away from the crowds, over mountain passes to view inspirational landscapes.

Keswick Alhambra Cinema

This little gem of a century-old, family-owned and operated traditional picturehouse boasts state-of-the art sound and projection in a gorgeously restored auditorium. See the latest film releases, as well as live satellite-streamed theatre, opera and ballet.

Wordsworth House and Garden

Home to the boy who grew up to be one of the world’s best-loved nature poets. Wordsworth House and Garden is Cumbria Tourism’s Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. With real food on the table and a real fire in the grate, it offers an unforgettable chance to experience life in the 1770s.

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path

A four-mile footpath along the River Gretna. There are panels along the length of the trail with information about local nature and wildlife, the history of the railway and the bobbin mill and the impact of Storm Desmond to the trail and local area.

Osprey Watch

Located at Dodd Wood, there is a viewing position to view the Ospreys. Between 10am and 5pm project staff will be present with telescopes available for public use. Live CCTV coverage of the nest may be seen at the Whinlatter Visitor Centre.

Derwent Water

Keswick's local lake is only a ten-minute walk from the centre of town. To its west rise the fells of Cat Bells, and to the east is the fantastic viewpoint of Friar's Crag, jutting into the lake. And its southern foot is the entrance to the beautiful Borrowdale valley.

Surprise View and Ashness Bridge

Ashness Bridge is an excellent example of a packhorse bridge and has one of the Lake District’s most famous views looking north to Derwentwater, Whinlatter and Skiddaw. Continuing up the road to Surprise View will reward you with an even better vista – From here you can see the whole of Derwentwater, Borrowdale to the South, and on a clear day Bassenthwaite Lake to the North

Stay with us

Settle down and enjoy the view