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![]() | Long Valley Yurts - Keswick |
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.
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
A programme of music celebrating love, nature, dark and light, with works by Monteverdi, Mozart and…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
A programme of music celebrating love, nature, dark and light, with works by Monteverdi, Mozart and…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 279
, currently showing 201 to 220.
Keswick
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater and Keswick. Close to Scafell Pike and the high fells. On the Coast to Coast route. It is an ideal base for a walking/hiking holiday. Double/twin and…
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.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Worm Moon in Virgo invites us to release what no longer serves us and create space for healing, growth, and spiritual alignment. Traditionally known as the Worm Moon, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw, and new life begins to…
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…
Peaceful Buttermere, a valley of lakes and high mountains offering superb opportunities for quiet enjoyment in the heart of the Lake District.
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
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…
Cumbria
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Keswick
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass bearing? Come along on our intermediate navigation course to find out how.
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…
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
Our restaurant has a warm and modern appeal, for either a romantic meal for two, or a family meal. if you are hosting a special occasion, private dining can also be arranged in one our of our function rooms. Set beneath some of England's highest…
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…
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…
Keswick
Sunnyside Guest House is located in the picturesque town of Keswick and just a short walk from the town center, Derwentwater and Theatre by the Lake.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months ahead. It is a reminder for us to do the same physically and mentally, aligning to the rhythm of the season. It invites us to embrace stability,…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At 19k long and rising to over 500m, the Altura Trail puts the mountain back into biking
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and symbolises fertility, growth and change; blossoming into your fullest potential! It brings an invitation to transform, heal, and empower ourselves…
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from traditional stone barns, our cottages are spacious, comfortable and well equipped.
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