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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.
Uplifting choral music for springtime and Easter with soloists. To include John Rutter "Songs for…
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
Sunnyside Guest House is located in the picturesque town of Keswick and just a short walk from the…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Uplifting choral music for springtime and Easter with soloists. To include John Rutter "Songs for…
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
The full Beaver moon in Taurus is named for the beavers busily preparing for the winter months…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage. When it comes to the…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
Sunnyside Guest House is located in the picturesque town of Keswick and just a short walk from the…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Uplifting choral music for springtime and Easter with soloists. To include John Rutter "Songs for…
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 272
, currently showing 201 to 220.
Keswick
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect place to have your first experience of outdoor rock climbing as it is close to where some of the first ever rock climbs were completed. There are…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern shore of this quiet lake.
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the branches of a tree. All very different in character, these sub-valleys are interesting places to explore and can conveniently be used as thoroughfares for…
Keswick
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely refurbished facilities – locally sourced food, local real ales, open fires bedrooms and suites to suit all.
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…
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…
Whinlatter Pass, Keswick
"Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest is set in the beautiful location of Whinlatter Forest, nestled in the treetops. We offer modern cafe food, and brilliant coffee. We use local suppliers to showcase the best food that Cumbria has to offer. Everything…
Keswick
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim event on Friday night and kids race on Saturday.
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
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
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment.
Taster sessions are the perfect opportunity to 'dip your toe' into the world of landscape photography, exploring different elements and techniques.
£25 per person. Booking…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025?
Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon. With breath-taking views across the Lake District towards Keswick and Skiddaw this run won't disappoint those who love the Lakes. These are…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Keswick
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to plan and follow a route from a map.
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.
Keswick
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast to our home cooked meals served in our intimate restaurant or bar. Our menus are interesting and varied making full use of seasonal and local produce…
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
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a wild snack at Bassenthwaite Lake Station.
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