Keswick Museums & Attractions

Keswick Museum & Art Galleries

Although AW might scoff at some of these museums and attractions, in conjunction with the fell walking bug there is the history of people who have lived in Lakeland. Around Keswick it was mining, particularly of graphite, which employed locals.

This museum, housed in a Victorian gargantuan structure, explores not just the history of mining in the area, but also charts how the town of Keswick developed as a tourist resort.

Keswick Museum, Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick CA12 4NF Contact Telephone: 017687 73263

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Keswick Mirehouse & Greta Hall

They've diversified here at Mirehouse, and have managed to blend sensitive conservation with modern amenities which especially appeal to children. There are four adventure playgrounds on the Mirehouse grounds, all set in woodland. There's some interesting extras like the Bee Garden, and in front of the main house there is a meadow of ancient wild flowers with no less than 43 species.

The estate covers a wide area and includes a few fells (hard to think of anyone owning the fells!) such as Ullock Pike, Dodd, Latrigg and Lonscale Fell. On the southern edge of Bassenthwaite Lake you'll discover many birds, including Ospreys which have returned to breeding in larger numbers to this area. You can watch the Osprey fishing as you take more leisurely walks on this estate than on the tops.

Of particular interest at Mirehouse are letters from Wordsworth, Tennyson, Southey, Thomas Carlyle and John Constable. There's a collection of Frances Bacon's works. Watch out for the live piano player. Bet it's hard work doing that all day!

Mirehouse Keswick, English Lake District, Cumbria CA12 4QE. Tel: 017687 72287

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