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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.
Whinlatter is the place to enjoy peaceful forest walks surrounded by stunning Lake District…
Stunning views of Borrowdale valley, Easy access to Keswick and Derwentwater, Luxury living in a…
Buttermere is ringed by the crags and peaks of Haystacks, Feetwith Pike and others. The 4 mile…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
The Lake District is known for being the home of Rock Climbing, so why not try your hand at this…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
️ Conquer Whinlatter! – Trail Half Marathon & 10K – May 2026 ️ Are you ready to take on one of the…
The feeling of a head torch trail run in the woods is unique. The night-time adds a whole new…
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and…
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from…
Lakeside hotel on Derwentwater with doorstep access to the best walking, hiking, and outdoor routes…
The Lake District is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with Derwentwater being one of the…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
The Old Byre was converted from a grade II listed barn adjoining our 17th century farmhouse and…
The Restaurant at The Borrowdale offers an experience shaped by its surroundings—thoughtfully…
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache?…
Tucked high amongst the fells in a secluded and hidden valley on the eastern side of Borrowdale is…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick.


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 278
, currently showing 241 to 260.
Keswick
Explore the woodland and take in the dramatic scenery overlooking Bassenthwaite and Skiddaw in England’s highest mountain forest.
Two Trampers are available daily at the visitor centre from 10:30am onwards for 4 hours.
Pay & Display car park with 32 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 116 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
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
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 car park.
KESWICK
Long Stay Car Park (next to the Pencil Museum)
77 spaces, 2 disabled spaces.
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 18 spaces. Charges apply every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Keswick
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages. Stroll lakeside paths, explore woodland playgrounds, and enjoy the Poetry Walk or the serene walled Bee Garden. Inside, discover fascinating literary…
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 45 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Long stay pay and display car park, located in Otley Road, with 87 spaces.
KESWICK
Long Stay car park with a capacity of 150 spaces, 4 disabled spaces.
KESWICK
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…
Nr Keswick
Car Park with 90 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
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
Located next to Booths Supermarket.
Pay and display parking.
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 21 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
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