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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.
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm.…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
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Number of results: 277
, currently showing 241 to 260.
Keswick
A Pay on Exit system operates in the main car park.
Buy a Discovery Pass for Grizedale and/or Whinlatter forests and enjoy free car parking all year plus a range of other great discounts for you and your family.
KESWICK
Car park with 20 spaces. To get there from Keswick, take the A66 toward Cockermouth. Follow signs for Braithwaite on the B5292/Whinlatter Pass. Head through Braithwaite and on approx 2 miles to Hobcarton car park on your left (identified by a green…
KESWICK
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 21 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 15 spaces.
This is a small and usually very popular car park. Bring your camera, as this is probably the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lakes. If you want a clear shot, you'll need to turn up early - or maybe…
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 40 spaces.
At 350m altitude, this is a good place to gain height before heading for the summits or to start a downhill walk and catch the bus back up.
The car park is off the B5289 at the summit of Honister Pass between…
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
Cockermouth
This is a popular route (1.25km each way) for walkers leading to the shore of Crummock Water. The views over the lake to Mellbreak and surrounding fells are breathtaking.
KESWICK
Long stay pay and display car park, located in Otley Road, with 87 spaces.
Pay & Display car park with 32 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Car park with 25 spaces. Located on the road between Lorton and Braithwaite. Take a short walk from here to the waterfall called Spout Force.
KESWICK
Long Stay car park with a capacity of 150 spaces, 4 disabled spaces.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 22 spaces.
Kettlewell is a small and popular pay-and-display car park on the shores of Derwent Water. A great place for water-sports, bring your canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, unload and set off for the islands.…
Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces.
The Buttermere National Trust car park lies a few hundred metres to the north of the village of Buttermere, which itself nestles between the two lakes of Buttermere (to the south) and Crummock (to the north).
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 116 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Car park with 20 spaces. To get there from Keswick, take the A66 toward Cockermouth. Follow signs for Braithwaite on the B5292/Whinlatter Pass. Head through Braithwaite and on to Noble Knott car park on your left (identified by a green signpost on…
KESWICK
Central Long Stay Pay and Display Car Park.
Capacity 334, disabled spaces 5, motorcycles free in designated bays.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 10 spaces.
This is a small pay-and-display car park with a huge view across Derwent Water to Skiddaw and even Scotland on a clear day. For your convenience, you can pay-by-phone to park here.
Surprise View is 3.5 miles…
COCKERMOUTH
Pay & Display car park with 30 spaces.
A half-mile level walk from Lanthwaite Wood car park is one of the most jaw-dropping beach-side views in the Lakes. The woodland (a haven for red squirrels) suddenly opens up with a view right down Crummock…
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 25 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
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