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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.
Rowling End Farm and The Mouse House Rowling End are located in the Newlands Valley, with private…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Enchanting evenings of music in the forest, with floor spots, special guests and an informal…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
The full Hunters' moon, is named for the hunting our ancestors would have done at this time of…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
The full Harvest moon shines bright in the sky, giving light for the gathering of crops. This…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
The full Grain moon marks the beginning of super moon season, where the moon is at her closest to…
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
Maple Bank is a magnificent Edwardian residence in the quiet valley of Braithwaite enjoying…
Leisure at the Castle Inn offers a great range of facilities available to our Members and guests…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
Saturday 22nd June 2024 Distance: 26km / 16.1 miles Fell walking Challenge fundraising in aid of…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 256
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Keswick
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the English Lake District.
Discover the freedom a self catering holiday in the Lake District offers.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
171 reviewsKeswick
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?
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest.
Each loop is approximately 4.16 miles long (replicating the distance of a Backyard Ultra). You can run continuously, to clock up as many miles as you can, or complete 1…
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.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the only one of its type in England.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1708 reviewsKeswick
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival, join us for a walk to the inspiring viewpoint at Broomhill Point.
Keswick
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a wet decent of a Lakeland mountain stream, We are based just twenty minutes walk away from the top of the ghyll which means the only thing getting soaked…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest. At the shortest day, we take our lead from Mother Nature; slowing down our bodies and minds to the rhythm of the forest.
Cumbria
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells. They are gentler and run off in great sweeps to an area of high moors and rolling hills known collectively as the 'Back o' Skidda'. The only features…
The English , Buttermere
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes Buttermere and Crummock. Surrounded by famous peaks, Haystacks, Red Pike and Great Gable.
Keswick
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the picturesque village of Portinscale, just a 20-minute walk from Keswick.
Keswick
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine. To make this event more inclusive, we would like to offer transport for those who may have…
Keswick
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival, join us for a challenging guided walk through Great Wood.
Keswick
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2335 reviewsBraithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
154 reviewsThe village of Bassenthwaite lies around 1 mile east of Bassenthwaite Lake. The lake is the most northerly of the lakes and is also one of the largest.
Borrowdale, Keswick
The slate mine tours at Honister Slate Mine offer an exciting experience suitable for all ages come rain or shine. Set in a picturesque part of the Lake District at the top of Honister Pass, visitors can adventure deep into the belly of Fleetwith…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1708 reviewsCumbria
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride around Swinside Fell. The
route is on country lanes which can sometimes be busy during peak periods.
Lake Rd, Keswick
"Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on."
Brass runs in Shane's family, and in the midst of yet another cost of living crisis he looks back on the last great battle for the local pit and the…
Cumbria
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be restricted to elite fell runners, so we’ve turned it into an awesome walking holiday by extending the route slightly, so that each day ends in a village with…
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