Want to explore? Borrowdale Gates Hotel and surrounding countryside makes a perfect base for visitors wishing to ‘escape from it all’. You truly are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do and see in our local surrounds.
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Keswick is the home to Theatre By the Lake, Cumbria’s only year-round professional producing theatre.
Keswick hosts a number of museums; the revamped Keswick Museum, the Pencil Museum and the Mining Museum are popular attractions. The Alhambra Cinema, which celebrated its centenary in January 2014, and despite its traditional feel, shows all the new releases as well as live-streaming performances. “Wad” is the local name for a mineral also known as “Black Cawke” or “Plumbago”. Today we call it graphite and high quality deposits are rare; so rare that there are only two locations in the world where it is in a volcanic series…in southern Spain and right here in the Borrowdale Valley. For more information on the valley, do take a look at the local Borrowdale Story website.
A number of events are held during the year to celebrate this area’s cultural heritage and history. Our regular email newsletter provides some highlights.
From our doorstep, there are so many places to explore in any weather.
Classic car enthusiasts are drawn here to some of the most scenic driving routes in the country. The quiet open roads of the North West Lakes and Cumbrian West Coast are a big attraction, with secluded parking available at the hotel. Special deals on classic car hire can be arranged through a local firm.
The Lake District’s first ever wetland nature reserve is at Bassenthwaite Lake (10 miles), famous as the nesting place of the magnificent Ospreys each year.
Also, why not pop into the Lakes distillery, close to Bassenthwaite, for a distillery tour of some award winning brands of whiskey, gin and vodka.
Before taking on Shepherd’s Crag, why not try out the Keswick climbing wall first? Or just up the road, Honister Slate Mine offers a Via Ferrata route as well as mine tour to watch slate splitting that has changed little in 300 years.
Links to the great poets and adventure playground can be found at Mirehouse Historic House & Gardens (9miles). Or visit the birthplace of William Wordsworth in Cockermouth and look round his family home at Dove Cottage in Grasmere, next to the Wordsworth Museum (18 miles).
For Beatrix Potter fans, the neighbouring Newlands Valley is home to Mrs. Tiggy Winkle and the area in general has close links to Beatrix Potter’s life.
Or find out how real ales are created at Jennings Brewery (16 miles) as well as the Microbrewery of Keswick Brewing Company (5 miles).
