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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.
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
'Life was never better on a swing, the higher the better!' Brought to you by the National Trust…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
This hilarious battle of cons will keep you laughing, humming, and guessing to the end! Lawrence…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
'Life was never better on a swing, the higher the better!' Brought to you by the National Trust…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
This hilarious battle of cons will keep you laughing, humming, and guessing to the end! Lawrence…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 279
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Near Cockermouth
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of people with breast cancer. Gather your friends or colleagues, and join like-minded people on Saturday 7 June, on the breathtaking shores of Buttermere…
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…
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.
Lake Rd, Keswick
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays and has won multi-starred reviews.
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…
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
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast to our home cooked meals served in our intimate restaurant or bar. Our menus are interesting and varied making full use of seasonal and local produce…
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…
Loweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
Keswick
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town centre, lakes, parks and Theatre By The Lake. We offer clean and comfortable accommodation in our four star guest house, with a hearty Cumbrian breakfast,…
Penrith
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without disabilities. All our Universally Accessible units are wheelchair accessible and include features such as level entry, wide doors and at least 1.5m turning…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the branches of a tree. All very different in character, these sub-valleys are interesting places to explore and can conveniently be used as thoroughfares for…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness & optimism, a time to focus our energy on creating and manifesting our dreams and goals. It calls us to embrace balance, love, and the beauty of…
Cumbria
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get onto the ridge the walk along its craggy and boulder strewn crest is superb. The setting is magnificent with wide ranging views across Ennerdale to…
Cumbria
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed little peak, but it nevertheless managed to resist the erosive forces of the valley glacier and remains today with its head high above the trees. A walk…
Peaceful Buttermere, a valley of lakes and high mountains offering superb opportunities for quiet enjoyment in the heart of the Lake District.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race
Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District! Starting from Honister Slate Mine, participants will race through 1km of underground tunnels before climbing Fleetwith Pike and Grey Knotts, taking in…
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…
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
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
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