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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.
Culture & Heritage
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.
Keswick Market
In 1276 Edward I granted the town its market charter, and it continues to this day. Keswick Market is one of the many popular markets around Cumbria and brings many locals and visitors to the town. The general market stands every Saturday and Thursday.
Moot Hall
In the centre of the Market Square is the Moot Hall a prominent, Grade II* listed historic building, which was built in 1813 and has an unusual one-handed clock. A "moot hall" is an Anglo-Saxon name for a meeting place or assembly building. The current building in Keswick replaced older structures dating back to 1571. It has undergone multiple uses over the centuries, functioning as a manorial courtroom, a copper store, a market hall, a local seat of government and prior to Jan 2026, a Tourist Information Centre. It is understood the building is due to be turned into a cafe.
Aerial photo by Simon Ledingham showing the Moot Hall in the centre of the Market Square.
Surrounding Areas
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.
Sharp Edge is prized as one of the finest and most challenging of all the ridges rising to the summit, whereas Wainwright claimed that Narrow Edge was the finest way to any mountain top in the district.
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.
Highlights
Step away from the rush of everyday life and join Hannah for a 3 hour guided forest bathing…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house and steeped in history,…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
You're seven years old. Mum's in hospital. She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a…
Lindisfarne is a Victorian house quietly situated, but within a few minutes walk to the town…
Herdwick Fold was converted from a barn adjoining our 17th century grade II listed farmhouse and…
13 Valleys celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of…
Our Michelin Star restaurant offers a delicious tasting menu, created by Chef Jack Bond using the…
We indulge our obsession with swimming around islands on the Derwentwater Island Hop, and there is…
Great exhibitions, activities, gift shop and café in a glorious park setting amongst the mountains.…
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Massage training courses in the Lakes... learn how to provide effective massage treatments on a…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
Discover the historic The Yew Tree Pub, nestled at the foot of Honister Pass in Borrowdale Valley.…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern…
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Set on the shores of Derwentwater in Keswick, Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy's restored, and women are finally allowed on…
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Number of results: 275
, currently showing 241 to 260.
Address
Thornthwaite, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5SJKESWICK
A small free car park with 20 spaces. Located on the back road to Thornthwaite, off the A66.
Address
Elliott Park, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5NZKESWICK
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.Address
Borrowdale, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5UUKESWICK
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…
Address
Main Street, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5JDKESWICK
Pay and display car park with 116 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Address
Bassenthwaite, Nr Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QENr Keswick
Dodd Wood is a fantastic place to get some amazing views of the northern Lake District. The network of walking trails will guide you deep into the woodland and onto walking trails leading to the Skiddaw massif. For spectacular views over…
Address
Threlkeld, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 4TTKESWICK
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.
Address
Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DGKeswick
Keswick’s Hope Park is located between Derwentwater and the Keswick town centre. Visitors can enjoy the park’s magnificent floral displays, putting, pitch and putt, boules and obstacle golf, visit the bird viewing area or have a drink or snack in…
Address
Rosthwaite, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5XBKESWICK
Pay and display car park with 21 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
Address
Seatoller, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5XNKESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 40 spaces.
At 350m altitude, this is a good place to gain height before heading for the summits or to start a downhill walk and catch the bus back up.
The car park is off the B5289 at the summit of Honister Pass between…
Address
Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TWTelephone
017687 78469Keswick
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) – please pay on exit.
Address
Braithwaite, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5TWKESWICK
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 to Noble Knott car park on your left (identified by a green signpost on…
Address
Lanthwaite Wood national Trust Car Park, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9UXCockermouth
This is a popular route (1.25km each way) for walkers leading to the shore of Crummock Water. The views over the lake to Mellbreak and surrounding fells are breathtaking.
Address
Buttermere, Cumbria, CA13 9UZPay & 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).
Address
Thirlmere, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 4TWKESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Address
Borrowdale, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5UNKESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 15 spaces.
This is a small and usually very popular car park. Bring your camera, as this is probably the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lakes. If you want a clear shot, you'll need to turn up early - or maybe…
Address
Lake Road, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5DGKESWICK
Long Stay Car Park with 253 spaces, 6 disabled spaces and 4 coach bays.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Address
Braithwaite, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5TWKESWICK
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…
Address
Blencathra, --
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…
Address
Thirlmere, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 4TNKESWICK
Pay and display car park with 18 spaces. Charges apply every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Address
Seatoller, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5XNKESWICK
Pay & Display Car park with 35 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
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