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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.
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
At Keswick Convention 2025, as we celebrate 150 years of Keswick Ministries, we will be exploring…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
At Keswick Convention 2025, as we celebrate 150 years of Keswick Ministries, we will be exploring…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 278
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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…
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…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Come and join The Conscious Self for some cold & hot exposure in the heart of The Lake District!
Using the beautiful Comb Beck that runs through the heart of Whinlatter, surrounded by nature and in our beautiful woodlands!
Here are just some…
Keswick
The Coppice is quintessentially a former Edwardian small country house situated on the lower slopes of Catbells in the stunning Borrowdale Valley, close to the village of Grange and approximately five miles from the market town of Keswick.
The…
Keswick
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the English Lake District.
Discover the freedom a self catering holiday in the Lake District offers.
Keswick
Adventurous Ink, the book subscription that helps readers reconnect, are inviting lovers of good books and the great outdoors to join them for a unique springtime event at Seatoller Farm in the Lake District's Borrowdale.
Over the weekend of 29th &…
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
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
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.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd Wood & Grizedale Forest. The perfect location for you to enjoy stunning scenery and a fully marked course on forest roads and trails.
This…
Borrowdale, Keswick
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this rugged corner of the lake district over 450 million years ago – its legacy today is honister green slate. With quality unique and bespoke gifts that last…
Cumbria
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but unlike others it has no habitation. In fact the only obvious sign of human presence is the remains of the old barytes mine at the valley head and the…
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…
Keswick
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most complex needs. It’s what you can do that counts!
Braithwaite, Keswick
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity's impact on the planet. Before closing in…
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…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this building is a tribute to human engineering and ingenuity, and it has a powerful story to tell about humanity's impact on the planet. Before closing in…
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…
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