Best Pubs in Keswick: The Lake District (2023 Essential Guide)
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Looking for the best pubs in Keswick? I’ve got you covered! From Sunday roasts, pub quizzes, live music and sunny beer gardens, this post will help you to decide the best pub in Keswick for you.
Whether you’re looking for a post-hike pint or a hearty Sunday roast, I’ve listed the best pubs in Keswick to keep you hydrated on your first (or next) visit. So, let’s get started and find the best pubs in Ambleside according to the locals (and me!)
Visiting the Lake District for the first time? Check out my other Lake District posts:
- 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (Guide)
- Best Indian Restaurants in the Lake District
- 23 Things to do in the Lake District in Winter
- Best Breakfast in the Lake District: 10 Best Cafes
- Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (Essential Guide)
⭐ Top-rated experiences in the Lake District!
- Lake District epic 10-Lake Full-Day Tour
- Visit the favourite countryside of Beatrix Potter
- Set sail on a Coniston Water Cruise and admire some of the best scenery in the Lake District
- Experience afternoon tea on a lake cruise
- Try an adrenaline-pumping Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure
Where to stay in the Lake District
If you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windermere.
If you’re only visiting the Lake District for a short time, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants.
- If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside, I recommend staying in the YHA Hostel. It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
- Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside? Our favourite is Grayling Cottage. It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
- For a luxurious stay in Ambleside, check out The Ambleside Inn. It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
➡ Want to explore other areas of the Lake District? Check out my detailed area guide to the National Park here.
Best Pubs in Keswick
1. The Bank Tavern
🤩 BEST FOR: Homely vibes in the oldest pub in Keswick
✅ BEER GARDEN
🐶 DOG FRIENDLY
One of the best pubs 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. I also recommend their fluffy chips…they are delicious!
2. Dog & Gun
🤩 BEST FOR: Solo travellers and a younger 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.
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 to find all the best pubs in Ambleside.
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
