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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.
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing…
Crummock Water has unparalleled views. At 2.5 miles long, it is a clear, rocky bottomed lake…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Heritage Open Days. Come and join us for a rare…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Camping Pods and Glamping have become very popular and here in the Lake District we can now offer a…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
A guided town walk with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide will take you off the beaten track, down…
Rowling End Farm and The Mouse House Rowling End are located in the Newlands Valley, with private…
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
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…
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed…
Welcoming guest house overlooking Fitz Park serving an extensive breakfast using locally sourced…
The full Grain moon marks the beginning of super moon season, where the moon is at her closest to…
Leisure at the Castle Inn offers a great range of facilities available to our Members and guests…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 257
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KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 116 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Central Long Stay Pay and Display Car Park.
Capacity 334, disabled spaces 5, motorcycles free in designated bays.
KESWICK
A small free car park with donation box and 8 spaces. Located on the site of the Threlkeld, off the A66. From the A66, turn into the B5322 and take the 2nd left, the car park is on your left.
Keswick
A Pay on Exit system operates in the main car park.
Buy a Discovery Pass for Grizedale and/or Whinlatter forests and enjoy free car parking all year plus a range of other great discounts for you and your family.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 60 spaces.
A large car park (approximately 60 spaces) with an access-for-all footpath to the quirky Bowder Stone, and a short stroll down to the river Derwent, good for wildlife watching.
Bowder Stone car park is 4¾…
KESWICK
Electric bike charging point, located at The Wild Strawberry, Keswick.
A £1 donation to Another way environmental charity is requested for use of this facility.
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.
Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces.
The Buttermere National Trust car park lies a few hundred metres to the north of the village of Buttermere, which itself nestles between the two lakes of Buttermere (to the south) and Crummock (to the north).
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 21 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.
KESWICK
Long Stay Car Park with 253 spaces, 6 disabled spaces and 4 coach bays.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
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
Pay and display car park with 25 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
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Blencathra boasts two of the Lake District's finest ridges, Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge. Sharp Edge is the more technical of the two and is usually viewed with mixed emotions; its lofty position and fine sculpted crest have the capacity to…
KESWICK
Electric bike charging point, located at The Chalet Tearoom, Portinscale, Keswick.
A £1 charge applies for use of this facility.
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
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
COCKERMOUTH
2 electric bike charging points, located at Bassenthwaite Lake Station Cafe. Charging facility is provided free to paying customers only, in exchange for a donation to a chosen charity which will change each year.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 18 spaces. Charges apply every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays.
COCKERMOUTH
Electric bike charging point, located at Lorton Village Shop.
A Donation to Mountain Rescue is requested for use of this facility.
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