The Royal Oak Keswick Completes £1.2m Transformation

The Royal Oak in Keswick has completed the final phase of its £1.2 million transformation, with its bar and restaurant now open following a brief closure.

The historic inn has reopened with 18 individually styled bedrooms, new bathrooms, updated interior design and a refreshed food and drink offer. The refurbishment has been timed ahead of a busy period for Keswick, with the return of the Keswick Mountain Festival, summer beer festivals, lakeside theatre, freshwater swims and the town’s Victorian Christmas programme.

The interiors take inspiration from the building’s heritage as an 18th-century coaching inn, as well as its rural setting and Lakeland character. The updated spaces include corners beside open fires, a bar serving Thwaites cask ale and a restaurant serving home-cooked food made with locally sourced ingredients.

“This marks the completion of a long-term investment in one of Keswick’s historic inns. As a family-run hospitality business, Thwaites is proud to own The Royal Oak and to have invested in its future. Every stage has been about protecting the character of the building while ensuring it meets the expectations of today’s guests. The result is a space that feels both timeless and refreshed.”

Rick Bailey, Executive Chairman, Thwaites

The Royal Oak’s central location places guests close to Keswick’s annual events calendar. The Keswick Mountain Festival returns from 15 to 17 May 2026, bringing together fell running, hiking and outdoor adventure, while Keswick Beer Festival follows in early summer with regional breweries, live music and a festival atmosphere.

Theatre by the Lake is also within walking distance of the inn and continues to host a programme of drama, comedy and live performance throughout the year.

In winter, Keswick town centre will host the Keswick Victorian Fayre, with festive stalls, choirs and period entertainment filling the square outside the inn. The Royal Oak is positioned as a base for activities ranging from early-morning swims in Derwentwater and days on the fells to theatre visits and festive breaks.

Bookings are now open for spring and summer 2026, with nightly rates from £125 based on two adults sharing on a bed-and-breakfast basis in low season.

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