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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.
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a…
Voted 'Best Band' twice at the Scottish Jazz Awards, Rose Room are Scotland's leading ensemble…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
This Christmas, take your family on a magical journey through the heart of the Lake District…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
Celebrate the life of bard Robbie Burns with us at the Borrowdale Hotel on Friday 17th January 2025…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Retro caravan in great condition with two bedrooms sleeping 4. Elevated sheltered position tucked…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 238
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Trelkeld, Keswick
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick, 10 mins from M6. All rooms en-suite, beamed lounge, private parking, bicycle storage and drying room. Mobility and dog friendly rooms.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
214 reviewsBorrowdale, 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
79 reviewsTroutbeck, Penrith
Rookin House offers a 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
542 reviewsLoweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
Cumbria
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A cycling club called ‘The Rough Stuff Fellowship’ record following this route in the 1920s on their trusty touring bikes.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there…
Keswick
Voted 'Best Band' twice at the Scottish Jazz Awards, Rose Room are Scotland's leading ensemble influenced by the Gypsy Jazz genre. Sharing a love of Swing music and the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, their "vigorous and…
Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
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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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to explore. Each junction is marked with a numbered post which is shown on the Forest guide map making it easy to create your own route.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
165 reviewsPeaceful Buttermere, a valley of lakes and high mountains offering superb opportunities for quiet enjoyment in the heart of the Lake District.
Keswick
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to discover. Take a sunset paddle with a picnic dinner or journey to a sheltered hidden bay for a lunch, kayaking is as relaxing or demanding as you like.…
Borrowdale, Keswick
This Christmas, take your family on a magical journey through the heart of the Lake District mountains to discover Santa's Secret Grotto at Ho-Ho-Honister, hidden deep inside the slate mine! Far from your ordinary grotto, this unique adventure…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
B5289, Keswick
Celebrate the life of bard Robbie Burns with us at the Borrowdale Hotel on Friday 17th January 2025. We are hosting a special Burns Night Supper to mark the occasion.
Evening includes:
welcome canapes
4-course Scottish inspired meal - see website…
Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
399 reviewsCumbria
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable Crag), owes its existence to a colourful quarryman known as Moses Rigg.
Keswick
Retro caravan in great condition with two bedrooms sleeping 4. Elevated sheltered position tucked at the foot of our small wooded fell side, home to our resident pair of tawny owls, red squirrels and wood peckers.
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
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