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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.
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
The ultimate animal experience for anyone over the age of 8 years that you will never forget! This…
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland…
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn.…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
The Lake District is known for being the home of Rock Climbing, so why not try your hand at this…
Join JAG Outdoors for a very family friendly festive walk around the forest at night. The event…
The Lake District is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with Derwentwater being one of the…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Since 1847 we’ve been committed to selling the best food and drink in attractive stores staffed…
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
An unique opportunity for anyone over 16 years old. After enjoying a Bird of Prey flying display…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 278
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Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night.
The guided walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails enjoying the magic of the forest in the growing darkness using all your senses to explore the world after the sun sets. Weather permitting there…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover up 5 - 7 miles in the forest and out on to the fell tops just outside the forest bounds, depending on the weather and conditions.
This is a more challenging event…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir surrounded by 2000 acres of spruce and larch.
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
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
Explore the waters of the Lake District at Derwentwater with us. Hop in a canoe and paddle through the stunning landscapes. Whether you're up for adventure or simply want to unwind, a canoe adventure offers the perfect chance to connect with the…
Lake Rd, Keswick
Help save the day as we pull The Enormous Turnip out of the ground before it takes over the planet!
Living in their tiny shed squeezed in amongst the garden tools, Mr and Mrs Chickweed's amazing prize-winning vegetables have taken over everything!…
The 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.
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer chutney. We have a great beer selection to drink in or take away. Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2…
Manesty, Borrowdale
Stunning views of Borrowdale valley, Easy access to Keswick and Derwentwater, Luxury living in a rural location.
Keswick
The fantastic "Derwent Fine Art Pencils" shop is a must for everyone, offering a wide range of our world famous products with something to suit all ages and interests. Renowned across the globe for generations of the highest quality pencils, the…
Keswick
Our annual Craft Fair is back! As before, lots of locally made quality items will be on sale. Entrance is FREE! Stalls will be in the Village Hall and the nearby School Hall. Open 10am to 4pm. Why not include lunch at the Village Hall Coffee…
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Herdwick Fold was converted from a barn adjoining our 17th century grade II listed farmhouse and sleeps up to four people.
Keswick
Come along to the Borrowdale Rainforest to find some of the special animals that call this place home, bats!
Taking place just after it gets dark, the time of day when Borrowdale's bats are coming out to fly and feed.
Enjoy a fun family-friendly…
Vale of Lorton - a bucolic landscape of verdant pastures, riverside hay meadows, fellside woods and hidden farmhouses.
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…
Various locations in Cumbria
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic accommodation showing you the hidden gems of the area.
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
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but unlike others it has no habitation. In fact the only obvious sign of human presence is the remains of the old barytes mine at the valley head and the…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed bedrooms, wood panelled public rooms, real log fire, Lake View Restaurant, six conference rooms, croquet lawn, tennis courts and spa facility.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL