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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…
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Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
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5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Experience the beauty of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in this…
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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
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Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Worm Moon in Virgo invites us to release what no longer serves us and create space for healing, growth, and spiritual alignment. Traditionally known as the Worm Moon, this is the time when the earth begins to thaw, and new life begins to…
Keswick
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Cumbria
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get onto the ridge the walk along its craggy and boulder strewn crest is superb. The setting is magnificent with wide ranging views across Ennerdale to…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Full Grain Moon in Aquarius invites us to celebrate the harvest of our personal growth and spiritual journey. Traditionally known as the Grain Moon, this is a time to reflect on the fruits of our labor—what we've sown and what we're ready to…
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…
Buttermere
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in an idyllic location on the banks of Buttermere, the festival offers loads of activities and attractions on-site, plus the opportunity to explore the…
Keswick
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a beginners course in beautiful Lakeland settings.
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile walk around the lake boasts impressive views.
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.
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…
Cockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
Keswick
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience the rewards of Surprise View.
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.
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…
Cockermouth
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and interesting topics for guests to explore. These are very popular and seats should be reserved in advance through the website.
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…
Keswick
The Skiddaw Hotel is a friendly and stylish Keswick town-centre hotel ideally located near all local tourist attractions and walks. The hotel has 43 ensuite rooms including Family Rooms and a large function room for events. In addition, the 4-star…
Loweswater
Discover the peace and quiet of Holme Wood, a mixed woodland of alder, oak, lime, chestnut, ash and sycamore.
Keswick
Nestled near Keswick within the picturesque Lake District National Park lies Lake District Castle Inn Hotel, originally a coaching Inn dating back to 1770. Surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Cumbrian mountains and with views of the serene…
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…
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