We love living in the Lake District, and we love getting out in all weather, wherever possible.  But today we’d all had enough of the rain and decided that instead of looking for some outdoor caves in Borrowdale, we’d find some indoor caves in Keswick!

So we headed to the Kong Adventure in Keswick.  From the outside, it looks like a large gorilla hanging out at an outdoor clothing shop, but it’s so much more!  And quite frankly, I don’t know why we haven’t been sooner (it’s been open 2+ years).  Possibly due to the A591 being closed for so long after the December 2015 floods, but I’m really glad we finally made it.

It’s ace!  We started off in the hard play area, which costs £4.50 per child and £2 for under 2s.  Firstly it’s located virtually in the cafe, so the grown ups can easily see the children and enjoy some coffee!

It’s a unique mix of easy climbing walls, rocks, caves, a wooden castle, ball pool, slides, tunnels, hidden passages, swinging rope bridge and a very real looking, smoking dragon!

The kids had a total blast, exploring it all, making friends and generally being fully occupied and gently challenged through the natural climbing provided.

After a while, our 6 year old noticed some children coming out of a dark tunnel with helmets and head torches on, and wanted a go himself.  This is the “cave”.  It’s a fairly complex 80 metre route which involves tunnels, short pitches, caverns, ascents and descents.  It even has stalactites and stalagmites!

The children go into the cave at the bottom and work their way through and up, popping out into the hard play / cafe area. Under 5s might need an adult to assist them through some of the more tricky ascents inside the cave.

And what they offer doesn’t stop there.  If you’re looking for more adventure they offer a fantastic indoor climbing wall, for everyone from beginners up.  They also have a unique ice wall, held at a constant -6c, which replicates true Alpine conditions.  And if you fancy heading out into the outside, you can book onto one of their many outdoor experiences, ranging from easy local crags, ghyll scrambling, Xtreme Via Ferrata and even subterranean mine climbing under Fleetwith Pike!  All the info, and booking here: Kong Adventure Keswick. (no need to book for hard play or caves, just turn up)

We were totally impressed by the place, and its staff, who couldn’t have been friendlier or more welcoming.  We will definitely be returning, and not just on a rainy day!

Family walks near here include Latrigg, Walla Crag, Mirehouse, Friar’s Crag, Catbells, Barrow Fell, Lodore Falls.

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