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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.
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
The "Not to be missed" Knitted Bible Stories Exhibition will be hosted by Keswick Methodist Church…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with…
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
The "Not to be missed" Knitted Bible Stories Exhibition will be hosted by Keswick Methodist Church…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes,…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
This May, Forestry England will be offering a series of mental wellbeing walks in partnership with…
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 275
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Keswick
In this unique double bill, two actor-writers perform their own one-person shows,
each directed by the other. Working with acclaimed sound artists Mark Melville and José
Guillermo Puello and set designer Martin Johns, they have created two…
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…
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…
Keswick
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the country's best views. Our locally-sourced produce helps us create delicious dishes to complement the fantastic views, making it truly an experience to…
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.
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
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (16-18 May 2025) with trail runs, hikes, triathlons, live music, outdoor brands & more in the stunning Lake District. Book now!
Braithwaite, Keswick
A beautiful cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Ostara, the spring equinox. Join us this Ostara (Spring Equinox) for a sacred cacao ceremony deep in the forest, where the energies of balance, renewal, and growth align with the heart-opening power…
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.
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer chutney. We have a great beer selection to drink in or take away. Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stop for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo from JAG Outdoors can…
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…
Grange, Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
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…
Hendersons Yard, Keswick
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is handcrafted in our Keswick workshop. Our beautiful surroundings are a constant source of inspiration and influence in our work.
Vale of Lorton - a bucolic landscape of verdant pastures, riverside hay meadows, fellside woods and hidden farmhouses.
Cumbria
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride around Swinside Fell. The
route is on country lanes which can sometimes be busy during peak periods.
Buttermere
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in an idyllic location on the banks of Buttermere, the festival offers loads of activities and attractions on-site, plus the opportunity to explore the…
Cumbria
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A cycling club called ‘The Rough Stuff Fellowship’ record following this route in the 1920s on their trusty touring bikes.
-Keswick
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger in just 48 hours.
APEX is the UK's foremost endurance hiking challenge, where a vibrant community of adventurers seeks to push their limits and…
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