When is the best time to visit Keswick? 

Keswick is a beautiful place to visit all year round, however there are pros and cons depending on which season you visit…

  • Spring  (March- June)

Spring is a beautiful season in the Lake District; lambs are jumping around the fields and fells, daffodils are blooming and tourists are returning following the quieter winter months. Keswick is a great place to be in the spring, with plenty going on for a solo or family trip.

  • Vibrantly coloured spring walks… 

Walks around Keswick’s gardens and woodland will provide endless opportunities to spot new wildlife and blooms including daffodils, bluebells and purple orchids. The banks of the River Greta, as well as down by Derwentwater are great spots near Keswick to find new daffodils.

  • Spring Festivals 

A number of festivals take place in Keswick during springtime including the annual Jazz and Blues Festival and the annual Keswick Mountain Festival. 

The Jazz and Blues Festival is a four-day celebration of music including New Orleans, Swing, Classic, Traditional and Mainstream Jazz and Blues. During May, The town is alive with live music from bands across the UK and US. A great day for music lovers!  The Keswick Mountain Festival also takes place in May and is held in Crow Park on the edge of Derwentwater. The festival is about celebrating the outdoors and encouraging everyone to get involved in the endless outdoor activities the Lake District has to offer, hosting challenges and activities including cycling, running, hiking, swimming and more!

  • Summer (June- September) 

Summer is the most popular time for visitors to the Lake District with warmer weather, longer days and public holidays encouraging tourists. Keswick is often packed with people during the summertime making it a lively place to be!

  • Outdoor activities

Anything outdoors is best enjoyed when the weather is warm and dry, and lots of outdoor activity centres only host events in the summer. Keswick Launch runs a more frequent timetable in the summer alongside the re-opening of Derwentwater Marina in April for the season’s kayaking and boat hires.

  • Camping

Campsites in Keswick such as Castlerigg Farm, Dale Bottom Farm and Burns Farm re-open for the summer between March and October. The warmer weather makes camping an ideal way to spend summer nights in Keswick and often the cheapest way, due to hotels and accommodation often peaking in price during this busy time of year.

  • Summer Festivals 

Keswick is home to a number of summer festivals including the Midsummer Festival, which takes place annually either in June or July hosting a weekend of free events around the town including live music and Keswick’s own dog show, Scruffs! Keswick Agricultual Show is also held every August Bank Holiday with arts and crafts stalls, fell races, children’s amusements, livestock and trade stands.

  • Autumn (September-November)

Autumn is a beautiful time in the Lake District, with summer crowds disappearing and autumn leaves falling, its time for wild, wrapped up walks, cosy pubs, hot chocolates and Halloween activities…

  • Autumn coloured hikes…

Hiking around Keswick during autumn is a beautiful time, with woodland walks being a great option to display the leaves changing colours alongside some of the grassier fells which showcase stunning purple heather and orange bracken. 

Some vibrant woodland walks to explore include Whinlatter Forest and Dodd Wood. Latrigg is also a great autumn hike; a grassy hill overlooking Keswick and Derwentwater, the summit is an ideal viewpoint to capture the season’s colourful hues across the water and surrounding fells.

  • Halloween activities

Keswick is a fun town to be in during Halloween with plenty of things to keep the kids busy during October half term and maybe some scary activities for adults too! Keswick Ghost Walks are a spooky way to get in the festive mood, starting at the Moot Hall and hosted by Lakeland Hauntings exploring the haunted history of Keswick town. A scary night for both adults and children over 10 years old. 

  • Winter (November- February)

Winter is likely the quietest time of year in the Lake District with closed amenities and cold weather keeping many tourists away. This doesn’t mean Keswick is off limits; it’s a great way to explore and enjoy the town without the crowds. Winter in Keswick can mean stunning snowy hikes, cosy pubs with a roaring fire and festive Christmas days…  

  • Winter walks… 

Although short, dark days are common in winter, local walks can still be enjoyable with an early start, the right kit and skills. Nearby mountains that are particularly beautiful in winter and snow include Blencathra, Skiddaw and Helvellyn. There’s no need to feel like you’re rushing home after a winter hike, accommodation in Keswick is at its lowest price during the winter months, so staying at a cosy hotel for a winters night is more affordable this time of year. 

  • Cosy pubs 

Finding a cosy pub with a fire is a great way to end a winter’s day in Keswick. Local pubs including the Dog & Gun, The George Hotel and the Pack Horse Inn all have cosy, roaring fires to warm up next to with a pint.

  • Christmas activities

Keswick is a beautiful, festive town around Christmas time, with plenty of local businesses and shops ideal for Christmas shopping, with a variety of cosy, small cafes and pubs for a mid-shopping coffee or pint. 

Don’t miss the annual Christmas light switch on event towards the end of November. The town is filled with festive food and gift markets and live music on the run up to the switch on. 

Keswick’s Victorian Fayre in the market square is also a popular festive event hosting over 30 charity stalls selling a selection of Christmas homemade crafts, product and festive food and drink.