To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Added: | |
---|---|
![]() | Rosthwaite Car Park |
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.
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 278
, currently showing 221 to 240.
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
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild snack at Alpkit Keswick.
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
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…
Keswick
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming bathrooms, hearty breakfast, delicious evening dinner and charmful lounges.
We’ve even got a drying room with boot warmers and a car park with an…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to explore.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Long Stay Car Park (next to the Pencil Museum)
77 spaces, 2 disabled spaces.
KESWICK
Long Stay car park with a capacity of 150 spaces, 4 disabled spaces.
Pay & Display car park with 32 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
Keswick
An all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter is now available for hire at the Theatre by the Lake, on the shores of Derwentwater.
The Tramper allows those with limited mobility to join these walks and explore the stunning scenery of the Lake District.…
KESWICK
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.
KESWICK
Central Long Stay Pay and Display Car Park.
Capacity 334, disabled spaces 5, motorcycles free in designated bays.
KESWICK
Long stay pay and display car park, located in Otley Road, with 87 spaces.
COCKERMOUTH
Pay & Display car park with 30 spaces.
A half-mile level walk from Lanthwaite Wood car park is one of the most jaw-dropping beach-side views in the Lakes. The woodland (a haven for red squirrels) suddenly opens up with a view right down Crummock…
Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces.
The Buttermere National Trust car park lies a few hundred metres to the north of the village of Buttermere, which itself nestles between the two lakes of Buttermere (to the south) and Crummock (to the north).
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 40 spaces.
At 350m altitude, this is a good place to gain height before heading for the summits or to start a downhill walk and catch the bus back up.
The car park is off the B5289 at the summit of Honister Pass between…
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 10 spaces.
This is a small pay-and-display car park with a huge view across Derwent Water to Skiddaw and even Scotland on a clear day. For your convenience, you can pay-by-phone to park here.
Surprise View is 3.5 miles…
Cockermouth
This is a popular route (1.25km each way) for walkers leading to the shore of Crummock Water. The views over the lake to Mellbreak and surrounding fells are breathtaking.
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.