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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.
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
The Coppice is quintessentially a former Edwardian small country house situated on the lower slopes…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
The Coppice is quintessentially a former Edwardian small country house situated on the lower slopes…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
The Coppice is quintessentially a former Edwardian small country house situated on the lower slopes…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 273
, currently showing 121 to 140.
Grange, Keswick
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland fells.
Keswick
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
Cockermouth
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly unique experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas are catered for…
Grange, Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
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.
Keswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
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…
Hendersons Yard, Keswick
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is handcrafted in our Keswick workshop. Our beautiful surroundings are a constant source of inspiration and influence in our work.
Buttermere
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in an idyllic location on the banks of Buttermere, the festival offers loads of activities and attractions on-site, plus the opportunity to explore the…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Come and join The Conscious Self for some cold & hot exposure in the heart of The Lake District!
Using the beautiful Comb Beck that runs through the heart of Whinlatter, surrounded by nature and in our beautiful woodlands!
Here are just some…
Keswick is an attractive traditional small market town, which offers a variety of attractions, friendly shopping and a range of local delicacies.
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.
Cumbria
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a mountain simple as that, with steep slopes and a summit. It might lack the drama of the great crags of its peers, and its open flanks hold no secrets…
Keswick
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and breakfast is situated a short flat walk from Keswick town centre and about a 5-minute flat walk from Derwentwater queen of the lakes.
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over the valleys of the River Keekle and Dub Beck to distant villages and the rearing hills beyond.
Borrowdale, Keswick
You’ve never experienced anything like this…
Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against the backdrop of the stunning Lake District mountains.
Climb up the massive Cargo net to one of the finest views of Lake District. Buttermere, Crummock…
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for an evening of adventure, exercise, focus, fun, and wellbeing at Whinlatter.
Starting with a run, followed by an hour of yoga in the yurt, and finish with a short shivasna (relaxation) and a non caffeinated drink.
The run…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stop for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo from JAG Outdoors can…
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