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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.
Nestled at the gateway to the Jaws of Borrowdale, on the tip of Derwentwater, The Borrowdale Hotel…
On the anniversary of Tracy's passing (09.05.26), a group of friends and family will be walking…
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across…
Derwentwater is a stunning first-floor apartment created from the former billiards room on the…
Discover Lyzzick, our four-star independent hotel in the heart of the Lake District hills.
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through…
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to…
Discover the work of acclaimed artist Julian Cooper at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria,…
Tucked beneath the eaves of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, our charming Borrowdale…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this…
This short 8 mile road route uses country lanes to the south west of Keswick on a circular ride…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 303
, currently showing 241 to 260.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery Course. Join them on a journey to learn about the hidden world of wild edibles that surrounds us. And that's not all! Enjoy a delicious wild food meal…
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Swaledale Garth was converted from a grade II listed barn adjoining our 17th century farmhouse and sleeps up to six people (and up to two small-medium-sized and well behaved dogs).
Keswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Keswick
Free event to celebrate International Women's Day and the Women's Institute. Tea and cake and opportunity to meet other ladies
St Johns in the Vale, Keswick
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and casting tuition for individuals, groups, and corporate clients. Featured on TV with our friend Matt Hayes and on the BBC and ITV News.
Cockermouth
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly unique experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas are catered for…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join photographer Steve Blake on a family friendly half day workshop.
Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment is a perfect setting in which to 'dip your toe' into the world of landscape photography.
You'll explore different elements and…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom!
Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom!
Help collect the ingredients from the forest for a magic spell.
Meet at the visitor centre.
Suitable for ages 5+, pushchair friendly route.
No dogs sorry.
£6 per child…
Cumbria
Skiddaw's simple symmetry appeals to the child in us all. Its form needs no explanation; it is a mountain simple as that, with steep slopes and a summit. It might lack the drama of the great crags of its peers, and its open flanks hold no secrets…
Portinscale
One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house and steeped in history, Skiddaw served as a creative sanctuary for Beatrix Potter in the late 1890s. It was from these bedroom windows that she captured the view for her piece…
Cumbria
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is the picture perfect hamlet of Watendlath. It sits nestling in a glacier-carved hollow beside the mirrored waters of a tarn and surrounded by trees,…
B5289, Keswick
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel.
Enjoy comforting starters, unlimited plates of Cumbrian beef, Lakeland chicken and classic Sunday trimmings, then finish with a traditional pudding.
2…
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.
Keswick
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) – please pay on exit.
KESWICK
A small free car park with 20 spaces. Located on the back road to Thornthwaite, off the A66.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 35 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Pay & Display car park with 32 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 10 spaces.
This is a small pay-and-display car park with a huge view across Derwent Water to Skiddaw and even Scotland on a clear day. For your convenience, you can pay-by-phone to park here.
Surprise View is 3.5 miles…
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the 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…
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