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![]() | Boat Hire on Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Co. |
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.
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 272
, currently showing 141 to 160.
Coniston
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Keswick
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from Keswick, our site at Kestrel Lodge Campsite makes for an ideal location for exploring the Lake District and northern fells. A quiet, family run, family…
Cockermouth
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and interesting topics for guests to explore. These are very popular and seats should be reserved in advance through the website.
Lake Rd, Keswick
We're not in Keswick anymore…
From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her old life in London. But as she climbs out of the window to run away, a storm whisks her up, and she gets far more than she bargained for.
How do you…
Cumbria
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal setting; the epitome of Lakeland. This route is unashamedly easy being mostly on tarmac and with few problems encountered on the off-road sections,…
Keswick
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most complex needs. It’s what you can do that counts!
Keswick
Formerly a Lakeland Hill Farm, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
Keswick
Retro caravan in great condition with two bedrooms sleeping 4. Elevated sheltered position tucked at the foot of our small wooded fell side, home to our resident pair of tawny owls, red squirrels and wood peckers.
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…
Bassenthwaite
A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite animals. Watch exhilarating Bird of Prey displays, educational Reptile talks and fun and interesting Lemur, Otter and Red Panda talks.
Wythburn
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western bank of Thirlmere. Take the footpath that ascends through woodland from the back of the car park.
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…
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.
Keswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
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…
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.
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
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also available to hire.
Keswick
The "Not to be missed" Knitted Bible Stories Exhibition will be hosted by Keswick Methodist Church from April 16 – 26 as it continues its tour around the country, having begun touring back in 2008.
The innovative exhibition that brings biblical…
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…
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