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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.
A gripping and hilarious whodunit from the Director of the 2022 stage production of Brief Encounter…
Typical Victorian Lakeland town house, ideal base for walking, cycling and touring. Five minutes…
A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
The second full moon in August! Celebrating and working with the energy of the full moon to…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
A girl with no name finds a magical book of spells that conjures up a wild world. Moths appear…
Shhhh…can you keep a secret? We're very excited - our brand-new walking trail opens at Whinlatter…
Whinlatter Forest is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. At…
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views…
The Sea to Sea is the classic, long distance cycle route in the UK. Starting from the historic port…
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
A traditional lakeland Guest House serving outstanding, locally sourced, freshly prepared…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern…
These free sessions, ran by friendly Breeze Champions who have also trained as cycle coaches, are…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…
Our restaurant has a warm and modern appeal, for either a romantic meal for two, or a family meal.…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Keswick
A gripping and hilarious whodunit from the Director of the 2022 stage production of Brief Encounter.
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced mystery for anyone who…
Keswick
Typical Victorian Lakeland town house, ideal base for walking, cycling and touring. Five minutes walk from the centre of town, lake and main bus links. Friendly relaxed atmosphere, providing good hearty breakfasts.
Keswick
A magical dark skies sing under a full moon, human voices in harmony making a spell-binding soundtrack for forest bathing and moon gazing. With singers from Sing Owt! and Wild Chorus community choirs, and special guest singers!
Sing Owt! and…
Keswick
A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of your favourite animals. Watch exhilarating Bird of Prey displays, educational Reptile talks and fun and interesting Lemur, Otter and Red Panda talks.
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to explore.
Borrowdale, Keswick
You’ve never experienced anything like this…
Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against the backdrop of the stunning Lake District mountains.
Climb up the massive Cargo net to one of the finest views of Lake District. Buttermere, Crummock…
Penrith
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
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At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes of a fairly uniform nature which when compared with the likes of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the other, eastern side, certainly lack that…
Keswick
The second full moon in August! Celebrating and working with the energy of the full moon to manifest our dreams and desires to live our best life! Mindful meditation, visualisation, drumming, fire ritual and manifestation - sharing with other women…
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
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.
Cumbria
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.
Keswick
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with immediate access to superb walks and forest trails. Located on a lower slope of Skiddaw mountain.
Keswick
A girl with no name finds a magical book of spells that conjures up a wild world. Moths appear from nowhere; Owls light up the dark; a Red Fox leads the way down a rabbit hole to a brand new wonderland. As our heroine journeys through the wild…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Shhhh…can you keep a secret?
We're very excited - our brand-new walking trail opens at Whinlatter at the end of March, and you could be one of the very first people to explore it!
The Wow trail is a 4.5-mile walking trail showcasing the wonders of…
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
Keswick
"We should've seen this coming. We did. We did see this coming. The world will not be kind to us because we haven't given it a reason to be."
On his fifteenth birthday, Noble transforms into a bird. Thousands of miles away, his sister Cleo is…
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
Keswick
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are friendly and inquisitive animals and just like us they enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. Meet our five boys Hugo, Hector, Herbie, Dougal and…
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