Hope Park lies between Keswick town centre and the shore of Derwentwater, and every visitor to the town walks through it whether they mean to or not: it is on the direct line from the market place to the boat landings and Friars Crag.
It is a public garden of about seven hectares, given to the town and run by the town council, and it is exceptionally well kept — formal bedding, lawns, water features, a stream, mature trees and long views to the fells.
Pitch and putt — a nine-hole course laid out through the gardens, and the reason a good proportion of visitors are there. It is genuinely enjoyable and requires no ability whatsoever; the setting does the work.
Crazy golf, alongside.
Putting greens.
A boating pond with a stream running through the gardens.
Formal bedding and borders, changed seasonally and maintained to a standard that people notice and comment on.
Open lawns with views south to Catbells, Causey Pike and the Borrowdale fells.
A café and restaurant with a garden, well regarded, plus a mini-golf kiosk.
Hope Park is the hinge of the town. Walk down Lake Road from the market place, through the park, out at the bottom, and you arrive at the Theatre by the Lake and the boat landings in ten minutes. From there it is a further ten to Friars Crag.
That makes it the natural first and last stretch of the standard Keswick lakeside walk, and it means most people pass through without stopping. Stopping is worth it.
With children it is the reliable option: the golf occupies all ages, the ground is level and open, and it is five minutes from the town.
In rain — and this is Keswick, so plan for rain — it still works. Visitors report enjoying it in the wet, which given it is a garden is a compliment to the layout.
Entry to the park is free. The golf, putting and boating are charged individually, modestly.
Time: twenty minutes to walk through; an hour or two with golf.
Location: Lake Road, between the town centre and the lake — five minutes from the market place.
Facilities: café and restaurant, toilets, kiosk.
Access: level and surfaced throughout, and one of the more genuinely accessible places in Keswick.
Dogs: welcome in the park.
Opening: the park is open; the golf and café are seasonal with reduced winter hours.
Theatre by the Lake, at the bottom of the park — a full producing theatre in an outstanding position, and worth checking what is on.
The boat landings, for the Keswick Launch round Derwentwater and for rowing boat hire.
Friars Crag, ten minutes further along the shore.
Crow Park, the open field between Hope Park and the lake, which gives one of the great free views in England — straight down Derwentwater — and costs nothing.
Keswick town centre and the market place, five minutes north.
The park and gardens are free. Pitch and putt, crazy golf, putting and boating are charged.
No — the pitch and putt is laid out for enjoyment rather than competition and works for complete beginners.
On Lake Road between Keswick town centre and Derwentwater, five minutes from the market place.
Yes — level and surfaced throughout, unusually so for Keswick.
The Theatre by the Lake, the boat landings, Crow Park and Friars Crag, all within fifteen minutes on foot.