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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 Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland…
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
From leisurely lakeside strolls to more challenging fell climbs and classic Lakeland ridge walks,…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland…
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
From leisurely lakeside strolls to more challenging fell climbs and classic Lakeland ridge walks,…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 279
, currently showing 201 to 220.
Keswick
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
Loweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
Cumbria
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are crossed by the Old Coach Road. This old track links Dockray with St John's in the Vale and provides an exciting high-level mountain bike route. The riding…
Cockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
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…
Keswick
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this triathlon-style team challenge. Combining biking, hiking, and paddling, teams of two or four will race from dawn to dusk, pushing their limits across…
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!
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile walk around the lake boasts impressive views.
KESWICK
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
Cumbria
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be restricted to elite fell runners, so we’ve turned it into an awesome walking holiday by extending the route slightly, so that each day ends in a village with…
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At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes of a fairly uniform nature which when compared with the likes of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the other, eastern side, certainly lack that…
Keswick
Laurel Bank B&B is a guest house in Keswick which prides itself on the high quality of its bed and breakfast holiday accommodation.
Cumbria
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable Crag), owes its existence to a colourful quarryman known as Moses Rigg.
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
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?
Braithwaite, Keswick
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with charity Mind Over Mountains. These walks will be gentle, half day strolls through our forest guided by a Mind Over Mountains walk leader who will show…
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
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.
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.
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