Thingsto do

There is so much to see and do during your stay at Portland House B&B in Keswick. Below you will find a taste of what is available in and aroud Keswick.

Walking

Walking

It’s the most popular reason why our guests choose Keswick as their Lake District short break or holiday location. With walks from our B&B door or a short drive or bus journey to some of the highest and most famous fells. There’s a walk for everyone including riverside and lake shore routes too.

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Places to Eat

Places to Eat

After a day of walking the fells or around the town, somewhere to relax and refuel is a must. Keswick offers food from around the world and both vegan and vegetarian. Lots to choose from but most like to champion local produce. Relaxed dining at the inns but there’s also fine dining to be found in the bistros and hotels. In the daytime it is café heaven for great coffees, homemade cakes and savouries whether it’s to sit outside in the sun or take shelter from the rain!
Derwentwater

Derwentwater

Derwentwater can be looked down upon from the fells, enjoyed by cruising down the water, walked around via the lake shoe paths. Keswick Launch is a delight for simply sitting back, relaxing and viewing the fells from the water. Feeling a little more adventurous? There are places along the shore for boat hire, sailing, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Kayaking and Stand up Paddle boarding.
Keswick Launch

Keswick Launch

Lake cruises and boat hire on Derwentwater operating all year round. You can stay on board and enjoy a scenic circular cruise or disembark at various points around the lake to enjoy a walk to the next pier. Alternatively, use the launch to get to the start point of your fell walk such as Catbells. Discounted launch tickets are available to purchase from Portland House and save queuing at busy times.

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Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Spiritual and breath-taking, a place to visit at least once when you stay here. Fabulous 360 degree views of the Keswick fells and THE place to be both at Summer and Winter solstice.

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Whinlatter Forest Centre

Whinlatter Forest Centre

Whinlatter Forest is a special place right on Keswick’s doorstep and England’s only true mountain forest. A great place for walking, mountain biking, children and family activities. It also has a café, visitor centre and Cyclewise bike shop.

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Golf

Golf

Most people don’t think of golf when they think of Keswick but Keswick Golf Club and the surrounding clubs offer challenging courses combined with stunning views. Look out for Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport golf courses and slightly further afield championship qualifying courses at Silloth and Seascale.

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Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake

This award winning theatre, cinema and arts hub is quite unique as its name suggests. With a bar and café, it is a lovely place to head to and within walking distance of Portland House. Portland House is a Theatre ambassador and our guests can get £3 off most tickets purchased if they mention they are staying with us when booking seats.

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Honister Slate Mine

Honister Slate Mine

A spectacular drive over Honister Pass and you arrive at Honister Slate Mine. Amazing views the Via Ferrata a shop selling Honister slate products and there’s a great café too.

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Pencil Museum

Pencil Museum

Located on the banks of the River Derwent in the town centre. Look out for the Artisan Café and both adult and family friendly craft workshops.

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The Lakes Distillery

The Lakes Distillery

Just outside of Keswick town beside Bassenthwaite Lake. Take a distillery tour, have a coffee, dine in the restaurant, purchase Cumbria’s first single malt whisky, their The One Vokda, Gin or Whisky Blend.

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The Puzzling Place

The Puzzling Place

The Puzzling Place’s ‘World of Illusion’ takes the theme of Illusion and runs with it. It is home to our ‘Anti-gravity Room’, ‘Ames Room’, ‘Hologram Gallery’ and ‘Eyelusions Exhibition’. It’s a fascinating, fun and social excursion into the wonderful world of optical illusion, which will leave you quite literally, not believing your eyes!

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Keswick Leisure Pool

Keswick Leisure Pool

Keswick Leisure Pool - Family friendly pool with wave machine and slide. Gym for adults.

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Keswick Climbing Wall

Keswick Climbing Wall

Indoor climbing and outdoor activities – ideal for a rainy day!

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Alhambra Cinema

Alhambra Cinema

Our local cinema in Keswick showing latest releases and independent titles

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Keswick Mountain Bikes

Keswick Mountain Bikes

Everything for cycling; Road, Mountain, Hybrid, Electric, Children's bike section. Hire bikes. Full Suspension tune/service facilitiesand Shimano Service Centre. Huge selection Clothing and Accessories.

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Osprey Watch

Osprey Watch

See the nesting ospreys at Bassenthwaite lake. The Viewpoints are now unmanned and no telescopes, but you are welcome to take up your own optics. The male bird Unring is still keeping an eye on fledgling Blue 400 in the valley and see if you can spot one of many migrating ospreys at this time.

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Wordsworth House & Garden

Wordsworth House & Garden

Step back to the 1770s at William Wordsworth’s childhood home. This lovely Georgian townhouse, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, was the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.

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Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage

The cottage was William Wordsworth’s home from 1799 to 1808. He wrote much of his poetry here and his sister Dorothy kept her famous diaries. Next door to the cottage is a museum with many wonderful portraits of Wordsworth and his contemporaries as well as quality exhibitions normally with a literary connection.

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Rheged

Rheged

Near Penrith with a range of shops, cafes and exhibitions.

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