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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.
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
The "Not to be missed" Knitted Bible Stories Exhibition will be hosted by Keswick Methodist Church…
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Join JAG Outdoors for an evening of adventure, exercise, focus, fun, and wellbeing at Whinlatter…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
The Full Wolf Moon holds a special spiritual significance for many, symbolising strength,…
Flag stone floors, oak beams and roaring log fires create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at the…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West. The Lake District is England's largest national park and a…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
A 3-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and…
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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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?
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.
Keswick
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and Latrigg.
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…
Keswick
The "Not to be missed" Knitted Bible Stories Exhibition will be hosted by Keswick Methodist Church from April 16 – 26 as it continues its tour around the country, having begun touring back in 2008.
The innovative exhibition that brings biblical…
Cockermouth
A 6-hour workshop with a foraging expert, which includes ID guidance, picking wild ingredients and using them to prepare dinner.
Keswick
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to discover. Take a sunset paddle with a picnic dinner or journey to a sheltered hidden bay for a lunch, kayaking is as relaxing or demanding as you like.…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
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…
Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
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…
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…
Wythburn
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western bank of Thirlmere. Take the footpath that ascends through woodland from the back of the car park.
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
Great Lake District Swim Challenge West.
The Lake District is England's largest national park and a world-class swimming destination, the Great Lake District Swim Challenge West is to swim all the swim-able Lakes in the Lake District. This trip…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Cold moon in Gemini illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst the world is at rest, our dreams for the year ahead are beginning to form in readiness for the return of the sun at the upcoming winter solstice,…
Keswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Cockermouth
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells, Hassness Country House is the perfect base for guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Lake District. This was the favourite Lakeland location of…
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…
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