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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.
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland are working with our partner Lakeland Mountain Guides…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
Here at Castlerigg Hall, our holiday park is well set up to help you enjoy a night under the stars.…
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water.…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Rowling End Farm and The Mouse House Rowling End are located in the Newlands Valley, with private…
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country…
In partnership with the Theatre by the Lake and part of the Fells for All festival, join in on a…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 258
, currently showing 221 to 240.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 35 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 approx 2 miles to Hobcarton car park on your left (identified by a green…
Nr Keswick
Dodd Wood is a fantastic place to get some amazing views of the northern Lake District. The network of walking trails will guide you deep into the woodland and onto walking trails leading to the Skiddaw massif. For spectacular views over…
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 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.…
KESWICK
Non-hired bikes can be charged for half an hour if they have been PAT tested and display the sticker at Cyclewise bike shop.
Electric Bike Charging Point, located at Cyclewise, Whinlatter Forest
KESWICK
Long Stay Car Park (next to the Pencil Museum)
77 spaces, 2 disabled spaces.
KESWICK
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.
KESWICK
Long stay pay and display car park, located in Otley Road, with 87 spaces.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
COCKERMOUTH
Electric bike charging point, located at Lorton Village Shop.
A Donation to Mountain Rescue is requested for use of this facility.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 20 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
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
An all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter is now available for hire at the Theatre by the Lake, on the shores of Derwentwater.
The Tramper allows those with limited mobility to join these walks and explore the stunning scenery of the Lake District.…
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
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
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
From Keswick: Take the A66 west towards Cockermouth. At Braithwaite turn west onto the B5292 for Lorton. Follow Visitor Centre Sign Posts.
Car park with 35 spaces. Pay on exit. Charges apply 24 hours a day. Short walk to Whinlatter Forest visitor…
Pay & Display car park with 32 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
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