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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.
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 272
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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.
Cumbria
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of the best routes up the mountain. To get to it you have to deal with the intervening corries and hills and this is what makes it special. They provide…
Cumbria
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its giant west face it's a complex range of deep cut gills and valleys ringed by high crags and fine grassy ridges.
Lake Rd, Keswick
A gripping tale of friendship and hope.
Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream. Landing a job on a Californian ranch during the Great Depression,…
Keswick
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding fells. Spacious, cosy and with an abundance of walks from the doorstep. Garden with patio, garden furniture and barbecue. Private parking for 3 cars.…
Braithwaite
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…
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…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and 70ft deep and home to the rare vendace fish species.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to explore. Each junction is marked with a numbered post which is shown on the Forest guide map making it easy to create your own route.
Cumbria
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.
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!
Trelkeld, Keswick
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick, 10 mins from M6. All rooms en-suite, beamed lounge, private parking, bicycle storage and drying room. Mobility and dog friendly rooms.
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that extends north from Carl Side and is separated from the main massif by the deep trench of Southerndale. From a distance the crest of Longside Edge looks…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and spiritual journey. Traditionally known as the Grain Moon, this is a time to reflect on the fruits of our labor—what we've sown and what we're ready to…
Keswick
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our world famous products with something to suit all ages and interests. Renowned across the globe for generations of the highest quality pencils, the…
Cockermouth
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired feast at Bassenthwaite Lake Station.
Keswick
Here at Castlerigg Hall, our holiday park is well set up to help you enjoy a night under the stars. Holiday under the night’s sky in one of our Hex Pod glamping pods, fitted with skylights so that you can appreciate the beautiful stars from the…
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.
The English , Buttermere
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes Buttermere and Crummock. Surrounded by famous peaks, Haystacks, Red Pike and Great Gable.
Keswick
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our friendly & helpful staff are always on hand to help you make the right choice of kit.
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