Visitor FAQ's - Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, Cumbria

FAQ's

Question 1 - Are there accessible parking spaces?
Question 2 - What is the layout of Theatre by the Lake?
Question 3 - Is there a dress code for the theatre?
Question 4 - Can we take our drinks into the Auditorium?
Question 5 - Where is the lake?
Question 15 - What do I do if I want to change or cancel a booking?
Question 16 - Who are the Front of House staff?
Question 6 - What time are the launches?
Question 7 - Are guide dogs welcome in the building?
Question 8 - Do you have hearing enhancement systems in the theatre?
Question 9 - Do you provide Captioned and Audio described performances with touch tours?
Question 10 - How many people can you seat in each auditorium?
Question 11 - What are the café opening times?
Question 12 - What are the bar opening times?
Question 13 - How do you get to the theatre from the bus station?
Question 14 - How much is the car park?
Question 17 - Do you have a gift shop?
Question 18 - How long before a performance should we arrive?

Question 1 - Are there accessible parking spaces?

The Lakeside Car Park adjacent to the theatre and has reserved spaces for wheelchair users and those with a disabled car parking badge can park for free in these bays. A wheelchair is available to transfer patrons from the car park to the theatre. Visitors with blue badges who do not use a wheel chair may not use the wheelchair parking bays but may park anywhere else in the car park for unlimited time at no cost.

back to top

Question 2 - What is the layout of Theatre by the Lake?

Theatre by the Lake’s main entrance is a two minute walk from the Lakeside Car Park, directly opposite Crow Park. The box office is located on the left of the main entrance from where you can pick up hearing enhancement headsets and infra-red neck loops. Turning right, you can access the theatre's coffee shop located in the Stalls Bar, you can also access toilets, a disabled toilet, a stairwell and a lift is available to take you to the mezzanine and circle levels above. You can access the Main Auditorium entrances C and D from the Stalls Bar.

The Mezzanine Level houses The Friends Gallery where regular photograhic and art exhibitions are to be seen, located to the left of the Main Stairwell. Pre-theatre suppers are also served in this space on performance nights. You can access Boxes E and F of the Main Auditorium from this level. Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are all available on this floor. The Studio theatre’s main entrance is accessed from the Mezzanine Level to the right of the main stairwell.

The Circle Gallery also houses regular art and photographic exhibitions. The Circle Bar is also available on this level open for pre-show and interval drinks on busy performance nights.

Please note that access to the Circle Gallery is not always permitted. You can access the Main Auditorium entrances G and H and toilets and disabled toilets are also available.

back to top

Question 3 - Is there a dress code for the theatre?

We are happy for you to wear your comfortable clothes or your glad rags, whatever you feel comfortable in!

back to top

Question 4 - Can we take our drinks into the Auditorium?

No glass or alcohol is allowed in either our Main House or Studio theatres. You may only take bottled water.

back to top

Question 5 - Where is the lake?

Lake Derwentwater is a short two minute walk past the theatre. Follow the road down to the shore of the Lake and The Keswick Launch Company.

back to top

Question 15 - What do I do if I want to change or cancel a booking?

Contact the Box Office with your query on 017687 74411 and our friendly staff will advise you.

back to top

Question 16 - Who are the Front of House staff?

Theatre by the Lake have around 180 volunteers who are down at the theatre taking your tickets and selling ice creams at every performance. They will show you to your seat and try and answer any questions you may have. At every performance at the theatre, a Front of House Manager or Relief House Manager will be in charge. If you have specific queries, these can be directed to the Front of House Manager.

back to top

Question 6 - What time are the launches?

Summer (March 27 – November 14)
Clockwise - Launches leave Keswick on the hour 10am-5pm.
Anticlockwise - Launches leave Keswick half past the hour 10.30am-5.30pm

Winter times are variable please click here for more information.

back to top

Question 7 - Are guide dogs welcome in the building?

Theatre by the Lake welcome guide dogs throughout our building.

back to top

Question 8 - Do you have hearing enhancement systems in the theatre?

Discreet infra-red hearing enhancement headsets are available for use throughout the Main House and Studio, free of charge. Simply ask at the Box Office for more information.

Please note that we no longer offer the service of an induction loop.

back to top

Question 9 - Do you provide Captioned and Audio described performances with touch tours?

Theatre by the Lake aims to have one Captioned and one Audio Described performance for each Theatre by the Lake Main House show. Touch Tours of the set given by the Audio Describer and stage crew, are available before Audio-Described shows but must be booked with Box Office in advance.

back to top

Question 10 - How many people can you seat in each auditorium?

The Main Auditorium can seat a maximum of 384. The Studio can seat a maximum of 92.

back to top

Question 11 - What are the café opening times?

Our coffee shop is open daily from 10am until 6.30pm on performance nights and 5pm on non performance nights serving a range of cakes and Fairtrade coffees. Light snacks and lunches are available from 12 noon until half an hour before the start of the performance. You can make an evening of it at Theatre by the Lake by booking a pre-theatre meal served from 5pm onwards in the Friends Gallery. Booking is essential so call our Coffee Shop now on 017687 81102 reserve a table and pre-order your food.

back to top

Question 12 - What are the bar opening times?

Open from 10am everyday, our Stalls Bar is located on the ground floor and has been recently extended. The Circle Bar, located on the second floor is open on busy performance nights for pre-theatre and interval drinks.

back to top

Question 13 - How do you get to the theatre from the bus station?

From the bus station drop off, cross the road to walk up The Heads Road. Turn right at How Keld Bed and Breakfast. Walk on until you walk past the miniature gold course. Carry on past Hope Park and follow the road as it bends to the right. The Theatre’s main entrance is located on the left opposite the entrance to Crow Park.

back to top

Question 14 - How much is the car park?

The pay and display car park adjacent to the theatre is owned and monitored by Allerdale Borough Council. Prices do vary for the duration of your stay, if you are planning to use this car park, please allow plenty of time to park as it can become very busy, especially during the daytime and in the summer. Please do bring change as our box office cannot provide change for the car park. Currently there is no charge for cars and coaches after 6.30pm.

back to top

Question 17 - Do you have a gift shop?

Theatre by the Lake currently sells merchandise and Lakeland Ice Creams before the start and during the interval of a performance.

back to top

Question 18 - How long before a performance should we arrive?

Arrive a good half hour at the very least before the start of a performance as you will have to find a suitable car parking space, visit the Box Office if you don’t already have your tickets, enjoy a drink in either the Stalls or Circle Bar, order your interval drinks and find your seats before the performance begins.

back to top

Visitor Information