In Keswick, Friday 23 June

On Friday we made the long drive to the North for a weekend in the Lake District.  The drive was surprisingly congested.  We stopped for lunch at a chain called Brewer's Fayre (basically Perkins with a bar).

For lodging, we chose the Keswick Country House Hotel because it serves delicious breakfasts and dinners, has nice family-sized rooms and has great historic charm.  The hotel was completed in 1869, after the railroad made touring the area popular.  The hotel is located right next to the former train station.

It was easy to imagine 19th and early 20th century guests enjoying the hotel.  The kids loved the grand staircases and winding hallways.  The hotel is also proud to have hosted Queen Elizabeth II in 1956 - there were impressive photos of that event framed in the hotel lobby.

The hotel was also an easy walk to downtown Keswick, so it made a good home base for our adventures.

Kids loved the revolving entrance door

Ready for a gourmet dinner

Exploring the grand staircase