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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.
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.
Tucked away on the western side of Borrowdale is an old packhorse track. It descends towards Grange…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town…
Tucked away on the western side of Borrowdale is an old packhorse track. It descends towards Grange…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
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…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
We're not in Keswick anymore… From Aunty Em's Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her…
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town…
Tucked away on the western side of Borrowdale is an old packhorse track. It descends towards Grange…
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 272
, currently showing 21 to 40.
KESWICK
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents Keswick's best view.
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m) highlights include Narrow and Sharp Edges.
Keswick
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from Keswick, our site at Kestrel Lodge Campsite makes for an ideal location for exploring the Lake District and northern fells. A quiet, family run, family…
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
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town centre, lakes, parks and Theatre By The Lake. We offer clean and comfortable accommodation in our four star guest house, with a hearty Cumbrian breakfast,…
Cumbria
Tucked away on the western side of Borrowdale is an old packhorse track. It descends towards Grange from part way down Honister Pass and nips behind the craggy ramparts of Castle Crag. It's a great descent on a mountain bike with a consistent…
Keswick
Lakesman Triathlons encompasses a middle distance triathlon, an aquabike and a duathlon. Swim event on Friday night and kids race on Saturday.
Keswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
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…
Cumbria
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through Borrowdale and onto Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the Newlands Valley. This short trail through some of the finest…
Keswick
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
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
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
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.…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At 19k long and rising to over 500m, the Altura Trail puts the mountain back into biking
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.
Keswick
Sunnyside Guest House is located in the picturesque town of Keswick and just a short walk from the town center, Derwentwater and Theatre by the Lake.
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment.
Taster sessions are the perfect opportunity to 'dip your toe' into the world of landscape photography, exploring different elements and techniques.
£25 per person. Booking…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stop for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo from JAG Outdoors can…
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