To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Added: | |
---|---|
![]() | Booths Keswick |
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.
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with…
The Plant Fair is back this year! This year it will be held on Sunday 11th May, 10am to 4pm. …
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 274
, currently showing 121 to 140.
Keswick
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing escape near Derwentwater. It's interior offers a perfect mix of tradition and modern designs, preserving the hotel's historic character.
Keswick
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most complex needs. It’s what you can do that counts!
Cumbria
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Borrowdale, Keswick
The slate mine tours at Honister Slate Mine offer an exciting experience suitable for all ages come rain or shine. Set in a picturesque part of the Lake District at the top of Honister Pass, visitors can adventure deep into the belly of Fleetwith…
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Vale of Lorton - a bucolic landscape of verdant pastures, riverside hay meadows, fellside woods and hidden farmhouses.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed bedrooms, wood panelled public rooms, real log fire, Lake View Restaurant, six conference rooms, croquet lawn, tennis courts and spa facility.
Cockermouth
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and using them to prepare dinner.
Braithwaite, Keswick
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity's impact on the planet.
Force Cragg Mine was…
Braithwaite, Keswick
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity's impact on the planet. Before closing in…
Keswick
Here at Castlerigg Hall, our holiday park is well set up to help you enjoy a night under the stars. Holiday under the night’s sky in one of our Hex Pod glamping pods, fitted with skylights so that you can appreciate the beautiful stars from the…
Keswick
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also available to hire.
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
Cockermouth
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and using them to prepare dinner.
Keswick
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience the rewards of Surprise View.
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
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
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of quality food & drink retailing. We develop strong relationships with the best local suppliers and we are passionate about giving our customers a taste of…
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.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural setting, offering a relaxed, high comfort, luxurious spa facility.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL
We are now retrieving your search results. Please wait, this may take up to 30 seconds
Supporting the Destination
Quality Guarantee
We are now retrieving real time availability results. Please wait, this may take up to 30 seconds.