Keswick Museum

The Keswick Museum sits bang in the middle of town, and it's one of those places that sneaks up on you - far better than you'd expect from what sounds like a small-town collection. Inside you'll find an oddly compelling mix of Lake District history, Victorian curiosities, and enough local artefacts to keep you occupied for a good couple of hours without feeling rushed.

The real draws are the geology section and the Roman finds - if you're the sort who gets genuinely interested in how a landscape formed, you'll be in your element. There's also a proper Egyptian mummy, which feels slightly surreal in Cumbria, and some lovely period rooms that give you a feel for how people actually lived here rather than just passing through on holiday. It's the kind of museum where you find yourself lingering over things you didn't know mattered.

Families with older kids and teenagers will get more out of it than younger ones - under-tens might struggle unless they're already into museums. Walkers based at nearby Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club or Castlerigg Hall will find it a perfect rainy-day option, and it breaks up a week of fells nicely. You're right in Keswick itself, so no transport headache, which counts for plenty when you're managing a caravan holiday.

It's genuinely worth an afternoon if you're in the area, though I'd phone ahead about admission fees and opening hours before you plan around it - the details aren't crystal clear online.