Spring in Keswick and the North Lakes

Spring in Keswick and the North Lakes often produces wonderful, stunningly clear, cool, still days, sometimes with white capped mountain tops as so often pictured on Lake District calendar pages.

The most popular way to enjoy this spectacular countryside is on foot, and the opportunities for walking cover everyone's needs and abilities, from gentle strolls along a Lake shore to strenuous mountain walks over rugged high fells. We have useful links to walking sites here.

Of course, walking is not compulsory! There are bus routes to many popular places, or spaces to park a car at, or close by, the most popular amenities, many where it possible to simply sit and enjoy looking at the scenery.

Bluebells in May

Accommodation in Keswick and North Lakes

For the many thousands of people who take a holiday or short break in the Keswick area every year finding the right accommodation is very important. See our North Lake District accommodation guide for information about welcoming and friendly Lake District accommodation, from small bed and breakfast (B&B) to Country House Hotel or self catering apartments, cottages and mobile homes.

Mountain biking in Whinlatter Forest

Work has started in building the new 19km bike trail in the Forest. Sponsored by Altura this will be one of the best courses in the country when it opens later this year. Information here.

Festivals and Events in Keswick

Keswick is hosting some major festivals and events in 2008.

The Keswick Film Festival took place during 10th to 13th April. See www.keswickfilmfestival.org

The Words by the Water Literary Festival 2008 took place from 29th February to 9th March at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. Check www.wayswithwords.co.uk for details of next year's event.

The Seventeenth Keswick Jazz Festival will take place over 5 full days between 7th to 11th May with prefestival events during 4th to 6th May, including The Temperance Seven and Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band .

The 12th Keswick Beer Festival will tale place over Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June. Good beers, good ciders and (mainly) good entertainment. A brilliant time will be had by all. Saturday night has already sold out!

The second Keswick Mountain Festival will take place over 16-19 May 2008.

With a program designed to appeal to all who love the Lake District and great mountain scenery worldwide, the Cumberland Ale Keswick Mountain Festival will offer many activites and a choice of walks led by experienced leaders. There will be an exciting series of talks from leading mountaineers and outdoor personalities at the Theatre by the Lake. Sir Chris Bonnington is patron of the festival, which will be bigger and better in 2008!

Details on www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk

For all events try to book your accommodation well in advance or you may be disappointed.

If golf is your game then there are some terrific challenging courses in and around the Lake District, mostly set in magnificent surroundings.
Come and try some Cumbrian courses. See here.

The Bassenthwaite Ospreys move house

The Bassenthwaite Ospreys returned from North Africa on the 10th April - both arriving at more or less the same time! But now they have moved house!!

This spring it seems that Mrs Osprey has decided it is time to move to a new nest. The pair are setting up home on the opposite side of Bassenthwaite Lake on one of the new nest platforms built by the Osprey Project team last year. No camera has been set up yet to show the new nest, but the birds can still be seen fishing in the Lake from the open air viewpoint at Dodd Wood.

Further information and Osprey images on the new Osprey Watch website.

The Ospreys on the nest in early April

The ospreys timed their return to coincide with the launch of Osprey Bus – a liveried bus service named after the spectacular birds of prey. Osprey Bus will operate at weekends, Bank Holidays and school holidays, taking a route around Bassenthwaite Lake, making it easy for visitors to leave their cars behind and travel on the bus to see the ospreys. See the timetable here.

News from Keswick on Derwentwater, Heart of the Lake District

Spring in Keswick and the North Lakes

The second Keswick Mountain Festival will take place over 16-19 May 2008.