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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.
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
The Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique…
Walk Yourself Happy: The Lakes – One-Day Walking & Wellness Events Discover the Power of Walking…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Come and join The Conscious Self for some cold & hot exposure in the heart of The Lake District!…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
The Orient Express Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Carriage Cafe offers a unique…
Walk Yourself Happy: The Lakes – One-Day Walking & Wellness Events Discover the Power of Walking…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Come and join The Conscious Self for some cold & hot exposure in the heart of The Lake District!…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 274
, currently showing 101 to 120.
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…
Penrith
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
St. Johns Street, Keswick
The 25th Anniversary of the Keswick Film Festival takes place at the Alhambra Cinema, Theatre by the Lake and Rheged.
Over 30 of the best independent and world cinema films, programmes of short films plus the 50th Anniversary screening of Tommy.
KESWICK
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents Keswick's best view.
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
Cockermouth
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a wild snack at Bassenthwaite Lake Station.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst the world is at rest, our dreams for the year ahead are beginning to form in readiness for the return of the sun at the upcoming winter solstice,…
Keswick
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired picnic with Alpkit in Keswick.
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…
Keswick
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a beginners course in beautiful Lakeland settings.
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…
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
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
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…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
A beautiful cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Ostara, the spring equinox. Join us this Ostara (Spring Equinox) for a sacred cacao ceremony deep in the forest, where the energies of balance, renewal, and growth align with the heart-opening power…
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
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Cumbria
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A cycling club called ‘The Rough Stuff Fellowship’ record following this route in the 1920s on their trusty touring bikes.
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