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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.
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West. The Lake District is England's largest national park and a…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West. The Lake District is England's largest national park and a…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West. The Lake District is England's largest national park and a…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 269
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Cockermouth
The Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a selection of delicious food in the most elegant of surroundings. A fine selection of finger sandwiches, savoury and sweet treats…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Keswick
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a wet decent of a Lakeland mountain stream, We are based just twenty minutes walk away from the top of the ghyll which means the only thing getting soaked…
Keswick
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim event on Friday night and kids race on Saturday.
Cumbria
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is the picture perfect hamlet of Watendlath. It sits nestling in a glacier-carved hollow beside the mirrored waters of a tarn and surrounded by trees,…
KESWICK
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents Keswick's best view.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months ahead. It is a reminder for us to do the same physically and mentally, aligning to the rhythm of the season. It invites us to embrace stability,…
Keswick
The Skiddaw Hotel is a friendly and stylish Keswick town-centre hotel ideally located near all local tourist attractions and walks. The hotel has 43 ensuite rooms including Family Rooms and a large function room for events. In addition, the 4-star…
KESWICK
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and tranquillity, it can be traced back to the mid 16th century, although it was substantially refurbished in the 1840s.
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir surrounded by 2000 acres of spruce and larch.
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…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot barrier. It overlooks Keswick and Derwent Water.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Worm Moon in Virgo invites us to release what no longer serves us and create space for healing, growth, and spiritual alignment. Traditionally known as the Worm Moon, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw, and new life begins to…
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
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!
Keswick
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West.
The Lake District is England's largest national park and a world-class swimming destination, the Great Lake District Swim Challenge West is to swim all the swim-able Lakes in the Lake District. This trip…
Cockermouth
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and using them to prepare dinner.
Cumbria
This modest mountain occupies an important position at the head of the Buttermere valley and is surrounded by a diverse and interesting range of peaks. To the south is the towering crags of the Pillar range whilst to the north is the slightly…
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.
-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…
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