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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.
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.
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
Traditional Lake District luxurious cottage. Under Catbells and Causey Pike in the small hamlet of…
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
Traditional Lake District luxurious cottage. Under Catbells and Causey Pike in the small hamlet of…
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Lake Rd, Keswick
Inspired by remarkable true events.
"It's built for us, isn't it? The Spitfire. Built for women."
New Year's Eve, 1959.
Decades after answering the call, two women separated by the war meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of The…
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.
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.
Keswick
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest established outdoor activity centre. With some of the best facilities in the Lake District and located in a truly beautiful and unique environment, we…
Keswick
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a beginners course in beautiful Lakeland settings.
Cumbria
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells. They are gentler and run off in great sweeps to an area of high moors and rolling hills known collectively as the 'Back o' Skidda'. The only features…
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.
Keswick
At Keswick Convention 2025, as we celebrate 150 years of Keswick Ministries, we will be exploring the truths of the Bible through our theme Transformed:
We are transformed: Christ, crucified for us, became our sin, delivered us from darkness to…
Braithwaite, Keswick
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with charity Mind Over Mountains. These walks will be gentle, half day strolls through our forest guided by a Mind Over Mountains walk leader who will show…
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!
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
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Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller in mind, we aim to show you the hidden gems of the Lake District and also offer the option of electric bikes.
Bassenthwaite
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This experience is the perfect way to meet our Tapirs, Meerkats, and Ring-Tailed Lemurs!
Cumbria
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal setting; the epitome of Lakeland. This route is unashamedly easy being mostly on tarmac and with few problems encountered on the off-road sections,…
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
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
Cumbria
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through Borrowdale and onto Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the Newlands Valley. This short trail through some of the finest…
-Keswick
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger in just 48 hours.
APEX is the UK's foremost endurance hiking challenge, where a vibrant community of adventurers seeks to push their limits and…
Wythburn
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western bank of Thirlmere. Take the footpath that ascends through woodland from the back of the car park.
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.
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