You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Keswick
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.
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
The main ridge of the Scafell Pike massif is traversed on its northwest flank by a spectacular path…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Inspired by remarkable true events. "It's built for us, isn't it? The Spitfire. Built for women…
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 267
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Keswick
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering wildlife. Peaceful setting, beautiful outlook over Borrowdale with walks from the door to lake, river, woodland and fells. Owner operated.
Cockermouth
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and interesting topics for guests to explore. These are very popular and seats should be reserved in advance through the website.
Threlkeld, Keswick
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. Expect to find a wide range of annuals, perennials, vegetable seedlings, herbs, grasses, shrubs, house plants and more, all grown by local gardeners and at…
Cumbria
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.
Cumbria
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do not attract the crowds as do their southern neighbours. Great sweeps of open fells dominate the landscape relieved only by the becks. Penetrating this…
Keswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Keswick
Uplifting choral music for springtime and Easter with soloists. To include John Rutter "Songs for Springtime", Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, and others. With Nikki Martin, Jonny Hill. Accompanist: David T Shingler. Conductor: Ian Hare
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At 19k long and rising to over 500m, the Altura Trail puts the mountain back into biking
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile walk around the lake boasts impressive views.
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m) highlights include Narrow and Sharp Edges.
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
Keswick
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Whinlatter Pass, Keswick
"Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest is set in the beautiful location of Whinlatter Forest, nestled in the treetops. We offer modern cafe food, and brilliant coffee. We use local suppliers to showcase the best food that Cumbria has to offer. Everything…
Keswick
Traditional Lake District luxurious cottage. Under Catbells and Causey Pike in the small hamlet of Stair, 10 mins walk form the Swinside Inn and three miles from Keswick. Wonderful fell walking from the door and fish from the Newlands Beck.
Loweswater is a small hamlet situated between Loweswater and Crummock waters. It is home to The Kirkstile Inn which has been providing food and shelter for some 400 hundred years, and now has it's very own brewery.
Keswick
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Keswick
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim event on Friday night and kids race on Saturday.
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.
Keswick
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.
Cumbria
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed little peak, but it nevertheless managed to resist the erosive forces of the valley glacier and remains today with its head high above the trees. A walk…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL