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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.
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across…
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across…
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a…
Do you know what to do when the mist comes down or how to accurately take and follow a compass…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 275
, currently showing 101 to 120.
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.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male deer begin to grow their new antlers, an indication of growth, potential and virility. It calls us to step into our power, take responsibility for our…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern shore of this quiet lake.
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
Nestled in the corner of Borrowdale Valley, the Borrowdale Hotel is the perfect place to indulge in an exquisite Afternoon Tea experience. Indulge in delectable treats and savoury bites as you sit back and relax among friends.
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…
Keswick
Flag stone floors, oak beams and roaring log fires create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at the 17th century Salutation Inn in the heart of the Lake District.
Popular with the "locals", the bar has the welcoming hospitality, warmth and…
Cumbria
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is the picture perfect hamlet of Watendlath. It sits nestling in a glacier-carved hollow beside the mirrored waters of a tarn and surrounded by trees,…
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
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the picturesque village of Portinscale, just a 20-minute walk from Keswick.
Keswick
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired picnic with Alpkit in Keswick.
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…
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
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National Park. Lyzzick Hall is a perfect base for a walking, sight-seeing or relaxing break.
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
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…
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…
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…
Cumbria
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the fabulous Derwentwater lake, ideal for first timers and young families. Beginning and ending in Keswick, this 12-mile route utilises easy,…
Keswick
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest established outdoor activity centre. With some of the best facilities in the Lake District and located in a truly beautiful and unique environment, we…
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