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Keswick is both the most northerly of the Lake District’s towns and maybe its best located: at the northern end of beautiful Derwentwater, it’s surrounded by large fells including Skiddaw and Blencathra, two of the most popular among walkers and hikers. It’s also the perfect spot to explore this part of the national park, notably the valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere.
Right in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Keswick is still only 20 minutes from the M6 – and close enough to some of the Lake District’s best-known lakes, including Bassenthwaite, Thirlmere and Ullswater as well as Derwentwater. Fancy some fell-waking? There’s Skiddaw and Blencathra, but don’t forget Grizedale Pike and Catbells, a fell that is popular with walkers of all ages and abilities.
Little is known about the early history of Keswick, but St Kentigern is known to have preached at Crosthwaite (to the east of the town centre) in AD 556. A Norman church was built on the spot in 1181, followed by a small settlement.
The church apparently attracted unofficial markets following church services. This caused much contention until a market charter was granted in 1276 to a small cheese dairy not far away on the banks of the river Greta. This was the start of Keswick, whose name translates as ‘cheese farm'.
As Keswick grew in size, the original settlement at Crosthwaite declined, leaving the church isolated.
Prosperity came to Keswick in the 16th century with the extraction of minerals from the surrounding fells. With no local mining expertise, skilled German miners were drafted in to work the copper and lead mines in the Newlands Valley, and a large smelting plant was established at Brigham (where the A66 road bridge crosses the river Greta).
The later discovery of wadd (graphite) at Seathwaite in Borrowdale gave rise to around 14 pencil manufacturing businesses in the area, one of which - the Cumberland Pencil Company - was operational in Keswick up to 2007.
Blencathra - Set near Skiddaw forest overlooking the River Greta in the north of the Lake District, Blencathra is one of the county's most renowned peaks.
Borrowdale - From above the shores of Derwentwater, Borrowdale presents an impressive picture - high peaks reflected in the lovely lake. The valley is a paradise for all walkers with low and high routes to suit all tastes. It's a playground for rock climbers too.
Castlerigg Stone Circles - Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop.
Latrigg Fell - Latrigg is Keswick’s premier viewpoint. It sits in a superb position high above the northern edge of town with its back nestled against Skiddaw’s towering flanks and its front and sides open across the whole Vale of Derwent. From its lofty summit you can sit and have a fantastic time spotting almost the whole of the Lake District’s central fells.
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station…
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love. Catherine…
A high-flying adventure for all the family… Raised in the Indian jungle, Mowgli the man cub spends…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare…
Large Victorian house with private car park, situated in a quiet position approximately 3 minutes…
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our…
Keswick Convention is a unique Christian event. Christians from all over the UK and from around the…
A guided town walk with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide will take you off the beaten track, down…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
This small and friendly guest house is located a short walk from the town centre and many of the…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
Not only is the Scafell Hotel in one of the most stunning locations in the Lake District, but great…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Borrowdale, Keswick
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect place to have your first experience of outdoor rock climbing as it is close to where some of the first ever rock climbs were completed. There are…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
77 reviewsCockermouth
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station buildings, with a level-access path along the former platform and through woodland teeming with wildlife. Serving interesting and fresh cafe food,…
Keswick
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
Lake Rd, Keswick
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love.
Catherine Morland knows little of the world, but who needs real-life experience when you have novels to guide you? Catherine seizes her chance to escape her…
Lake Rd, Keswick
A high-flying adventure for all the family…
Raised in the Indian jungle, Mowgli the man cub spends his boyhood days running wild with his wolf friends and hunting with the pack.
Keswick
Ladies from West Cumbria - join Jo from JAG Outdoors for this special free Dark Skies Walk at Ennerdale!
A chance to get outside, explore the local area, and experience the the forest at night.
Keswick
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake and maybe try something new.
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At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes of a fairly uniform nature which when compared with the likes of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the other, eastern side, certainly lack that…
Grange, Keswick
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland fells.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1331 reviewsKeswick
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to plan and follow a route from a map.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
77 reviewsKeswick
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine. To make this event more inclusive, we would like to offer transport for those who may have…
Keswick
Large Victorian house with private car park, situated in a quiet position approximately 3 minutes from the town centre. All rooms are very well furnished with ensuite facilities.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
435 reviewsKeswick
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our world famous products with something to suit all ages and interests. Renowned across the globe for generations of the highest quality pencils, the…
Keswick
Keswick Convention is a unique Christian event. Christians from all over the UK and from around the world gather in Keswick to hear the Word of God and to sing God's praises, to be encouraged, inspired and equipped to love and live for Christ in His…
12-14 Main St, Keswick
A guided town walk with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide will take you off the beaten track, down alleyways and along country footpaths to explore Keswick and uncover its secrets.
Keswick
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of quality food & drink retailing. We develop strong relationships with the best local suppliers and we are passionate about giving our customers a taste of…
Troutbeck, Penrith
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting and Stalwart Army truck, Paintballing, Air Rifles and many more!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
528 reviewsThe English, Buttermere
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn. Apartments built in grounds 17 years ago and continually upgraded.
Keswick
This small and friendly guest house is located a short walk from the town centre and many of the rooms enjoy fine views of the surrounding fells. Bedrooms are well equipped and the breakfast room overlooks the small front garden.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
193 reviewsCumbria
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of the best routes up the mountain. To get to it you have to deal with the intervening corries and hills and this is what makes it special. They provide…
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