To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Added: | |
---|---|
![]() | Full Strawberry Moon Women's Circle |
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.
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is…
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite…
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache?…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
We are a family run business that has been making fine jewellery for over 30 years, all of which is…
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite…
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache?…
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 272
, currently showing 181 to 200.
Lake Rd, Keswick
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage.
When it comes to the subject of marriage, headstrong Lizzy Bennet is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society. But can she resist love,…
Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
The village of Bassenthwaite lies around 1 mile east of Bassenthwaite Lake. The lake is the most northerly of the lakes and is also one of the largest.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for an evening of adventure, exercise, focus, fun, and wellbeing at Whinlatter.
Starting with a run, followed by an hour of yoga in the yurt, and finish with a short shivasna (relaxation) and a non caffeinated drink.
The run…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power. Leo, the radiant fire sign ruled by the Sun, invites us to step into our full glory and celebrate our individuality. Traditionally known as the Snow…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Hendersons Yard, Keswick
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works. Enjoy a sophisticated café culture serving local artisan coffee by Carvetti, speciality teas, handmade chocolates by Huttons of Windermere and some of…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
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…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir surrounded by 2000 acres of spruce and larch.
Cumbria
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells. They are gentler and run off in great sweeps to an area of high moors and rolling hills known collectively as the 'Back o' Skidda'. The only features…
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.
Keswick
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to discover. Take a sunset paddle with a picnic dinner or journey to a sheltered hidden bay for a lunch, kayaking is as relaxing or demanding as you like.…
-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…
Penrith
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without disabilities. All our Universally Accessible units are wheelchair accessible and include features such as level entry, wide doors and at least 1.5m turning…
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
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness & optimism, a time to focus our energy on creating and manifesting our dreams and goals. It calls us to embrace balance, love, and the beauty of…
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…
Keswick
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache? With this tutorial you learn an easy, effective home treatment, ideal for soothing tense shoulders.
Cumbria
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable Crag), owes its existence to a colourful quarryman known as Moses Rigg.
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.