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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.
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
"Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest is set in the beautiful location of Whinlatter Forest, nestled in…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
A rusty 'tin shed' beside a dramatic waterfall in a remote valley just outside Keswick – this…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
"Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest is set in the beautiful location of Whinlatter Forest, nestled in…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
APEX have created a truly unique challenge, guaranteed to make you physically and mentally stronger…
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 269
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St. Johns Street, Keswick
The 25th Anniversary of the Keswick Film Festival takes place at the Alhambra Cinema, Theatre by the Lake and Rheged.
Over 30 of the best independent and world cinema films, programmes of short films plus the 50th Anniversary screening of Tommy.
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, Keswick
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength, intuition, and the power of community. It is a powerful time for coming together to harness our inner strength, embrace our wild and intuitive nature, and…
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…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural setting, offering a relaxed, high comfort, luxurious spa facility.
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…
Cumbria
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to travel from one valley to another, because the distance around the mountains was usually very long. This scenic and atmospheric walk follows these old…
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…
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk from Keswick town centre, enjoy a beer where it’s brewed. Explore on a tour, visit our Brewery Shop, and relax in our Flying Fox Bar.
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.
Keswick
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with immediate access to superb walks and forest trails. Located on a lower slope of Skiddaw mountain.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment.
Full day workshops are designed for those looking to take their photography to the next level and learn how to get the most out of your photography equipment, be that an iPad or…
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…
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.
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…
-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…
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
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
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale Hotel’s Restaurant will be the most memorable reservation you have made yet.
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…
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