Best Pubs in Keswick: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)
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Looking for the best pubs in Keswick? You’re in the right place! From hearty Sunday roasts, live music and sunny beer gardens, this post will help you to decide the best pub in Keswick for you.
Where are the best pubs in Keswick and where should you have your first pint in the Lake District?!
Whether you’re looking for a hearty Sunday roast, or a glass of wine after a hefty Lake District hike, I’ve listed the best pubs in Keswick to keep you happy.
Most of the pubs in Keswick (like Ambleside) are of a similar price range (which is a lot lower than London!). Expect a pint of beer to be priced around £3-4, and a glass of wine for £3. Yay for northern England prices!
So, let’s get started and find the best pubs in Keswick according to the locals (and me, a true Keswick pub fan!)
Need a place to stay in Keswick? I recommend this hostel if you’re a solo traveller in the Lake District.
Visiting the Lake District for the first time? I’m a tad *obsessed* with this stunning part of the UK, so check out my other Lake District posts:
- 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide)
- Best Indian Restaurants in the Lake District (2022 Review)
- 23 Things to do in the Lake District in Winter (2022)
- Best Breakfast in the Lake District: 10 Best Cafes (2022)
- Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)
- Adventure in the Lake District: 21 Best Activities (2022)
Best Pubs in Keswick
1. The Bank Tavern
🤩 BEST FOR: Homely vibes in the oldest pub in Keswick
✅ BEER GARDEN
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
My personal favourite pub in Keswick is the Bank Tavern. Right in the middle of Keswick high street, The Bank tavern is a cosy, homely, traditional pub with a big beer garden and a good atmosphere.
Expect low ceilings, patterned carpets, hearty homemade food and cask ales in one of the best pubs in Keswick. Oooh, and if you haven’t visited before, I highly recommend their fluffy chips…they are delicious!
Looking for the best walks from Ambleside? Check out my post: BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District (2022 Guide)
2. Dog & Gun
🤩 BEST FOR: Solo travellers and young vibe
✅ BEER GARDEN
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🌐 WIFI + WFH SPOTS
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
Another great pub in Keswick is the Dog and Gun. Although it’s a Greene King chain, it’s a good pub for solo travellers, as it seems to attract a younger age group and has a fun and lighthearted vibe.
Plus, the food and drink are cheap!
If you give the Dog & Gun a simple Google, you will know they’re famous for their Hungarian Goulash, which I can confirm is just as good as they make it sound. Trust me, try it!
Offering free Wifi, it’s also a great place to slow down and do a bit of work if you’re a digital nomad travelling the lakes.
3. The Pocket
🤩 BEST FOR: Live music with homemade pizzas and a relaxed vibe
✅ OUTSIDE SPACE
🎵 LIVE MUSIC
🍻 OPEN MIC NIGHTS (MONDAYS)
Run by a 22-year-old, The Pocket is one of the best places in Keswick if you’re up for a party!
Another great pub (well, pub/bar) for solo travellers in the Lake District, you can usually catch a live music session most nights of the week.
Settle in and make new friends, eat tasty sourdough pizza and sip on a Belgian cask ale all in the heart of Keswick. It’s definitely one to head to if you’re looking for ‘pre-drinks’!
4. The Wainwright
🤩 BEST FOR: Fish and chips in a traditional pub setting
✅ BEER GARDEN
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
Runner up of the West Cumbria Best Pub of the Year awards in 2016, The Wainwright has continued to be one of the best pubs in Keswick and is a popular one amongst hikers.
A standard pub that goes above and beyond with service and tasty food, the Wainwright is a perfect stop-off after a long day of walking in the Lake District.
Small but cosy, you can even enjoy some oldie footage of classic walks in the Lake District being shown on the TV!
5. The Lion
🤩 BEST FOR: Sunday roasts
✅ BEER GARDEN
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🎵 LIVE MUSIC
🍻 PUB QUIZ
Another small pub right in the middle of Keswick, The Lion is known for its Sunday roasts and good food throughout the week.
With a selection of pizzas, pies, classic pub grub, a weekly pub quiz and live music, it’s a great stop off after a day of exploring the Lake District.
The best thing about The Lion is the prices – you can expect to get a meal and drink for a total price lower than most other pubs in the area, and the quality of the food is still good.
A lovely pub for a fun atmosphere and live music!
6. The Fox Tap
🤩 BEST FOR: Home-brewed beers and social events
✅ BEER GARDEN
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
The Fox Tap has one of the best atmospheres of all the pubs in Keswick. One of my favourites in the area, the home-brewed beers and street food just make this pub even better!
With a beer shop and bar on site, this little gem in the Lake District has won multiple awards for its beer and is perfect for any craft ale beer fanatics.
Also offering fun social events in the brewery, the Fox Tap is a great pub for solo travellers in the Lake District!
7. The Oddfellow Arms
🤩 BEST FOR: Lively atmosphere with deals on cocktails and weeknight meals
✅ BEER GARDEN
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🎵 LIVE MUSIC
🍻 DJ
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
One of the more lively pubs in Keswick, the Oddfellow Arms hosts events nightly on curries, steaks, cocktails and even jaeger bombs.
With a large beer garden, live music, DJs, and cheap food and drink, it’s a perfect Saturday afternoon (into evening) pub located in the heart of Keswick.
8. The Pack Horse Inn
🤩 BEST FOR: A friendly pub with wooden beams and a cosy fireplace lit in winter
✅ BEER GARDEN
🎵 LIVE MUSIC
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
Known for some of the best pub food in Keswick, The Pack Horse Inn is the perfect pub if you want a relaxed atmosphere in a modern yet traditional English pub. All dishes are presented and prepared with care, as the chefs use all seasonal local produce from the Lake District.
Check out The Pack Horse Inn in winter to sit around the cosy open fire and sip on a glass of prosecco after a cold walk in the snow.
Best pubs near Keswick
9. The Pheasant Inn
🤩 BEST FOR: A traditional pub with a countryside setting
✅ BEER GARDEN
🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
Technically still classed as Keswick, but a little bit further out of town, is the Pheasant Inn.
Surrounded by the mountains of the Lake District National Park, The Pheasant Inn is a traditional countryside pub serving great food and even better beer.
Oooh, and their sweet potato fries are unbelievable. Highly recommend!
More great pubs in the Lake District
If you didn’t know, I’m a huge fan of the Lake District and have spent a lot of time seeking out the best pubs in the area over the past few years.
Looking for more pubs to visit in the Lake District? Head to my post Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide) to find all the best pubs in Ambleside (my favourite place in the Lake District!)
Backpacking for the first time? Or want to know where to find the best travel deals? Check out my travel resources for the inside scoop!
Other things to do in Keswick
Looking for something OTHER than drinking at a pub in Keswick?
Here are some of the best things to do in Keswick:
- Enjoy one of the many walks from Keswick
- Go shopping along the high street
- Eat a tasty Indian meal
- Get cosy in a cafe or coffee shop
- Watch the sunset at Catbells
- Dine in a local restaurant
- Hike local waterfalls
- Try delicious home-made baked goods from the bakeries
- Plan a day trip to Grasmere or Coniston
- Wrap up warm in winter and go for a snowy walk
- Head to Ullswater or Derwentwater for some wild swimming
- Treat yourself to a traditional English breakfast
- Check out some of the epic adventures the Lake District can offer
- Hire a car and go on an epic Lake District road trip
Hiring a car in the Lake District? I recommend this car hire company for the cheapest deals in the area!
Best Pubs in Keswick: In A Nutshell
So, there you have it!
The best pubs in Keswick, all wrapped up in one post for you.
This is a working document, and if I find any other hidden gems in Keswick, I’ll be sure to update!
As always, if you have a question about the pubs in Keswick (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
Other posts you might like:
- BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District (2022 Guide)
- Helm Crag walk from Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
- 3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do
- What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
- Lake District for Couples: A PERFECT Romantic Break (2022)
- Lake District in September: Why It’s the BEST Time to Visit (2022)
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