Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake is a cultural venue in Keswick featuring two performance spaces: a main auditorium with 400 seats and a smaller studio with 100 seats for varied theatrical productions throughout the year. The spaces offer diverse productions ranging from dramas to musicals.

The theatre opened in 1999 following a groundbreaking ceremony led by Dame Judi Dench, replacing the mobile Century Theatre that had served Keswick since 1975. The opening marked a turning point for the town's cultural offerings with a permanent venue.

The venue hosts the Words by the Water literature festival, the Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival, and a film festival, which together shape the cultural life of the region. These events draw visitors from across the area and make this place an important meeting point for artists and art lovers.

The venue sits between Hope Park and Derwentwater lake and provides wheelchair access, audio descriptions, and captioned performances. Visitors should note that the lakeside setting means it is best reached by car or public transport.

The theatre is regarded as Britain's most remote producing theatre, situated directly on the shores of Derwentwater with views across the Lake District landscape. This isolated setting brings culture to an out-of-the-way part of the country.

Location: Keswick

Inception: 1999

Official opening: 1999

Address: Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ, England

Website: https://theatrebythelake.com

GPS coordinates: 54.59550,-3.13940

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06