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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.
️ Conquer Whinlatter! – Trail Half Marathon & 10K – May 2026 ️ Are you ready to take on one of the…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes,…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Looking for things to do this May half term in Keswick? Head to Go Ape Whinlatter Forest near…
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. They display slopes…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, our wine tasting evenings are full of laughter and…
Explore the waters of the Lake District at Derwentwater with us. Hop in a canoe and paddle through…
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western…
Rigg Barn was converted from a detached bank barn and sleeps up to six people.
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Step away from the rush of everyday life and join Hannah for a 3 hour guided forest bathing…
Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the…
Swinside is a beautiful and exceptionally spacious duplex apartment for four, perfectly positioned…
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre.…
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Borrowdale is quite a complex valley its head is split into a series of off-shoots like the branches of a tree. All very different in character, these sub-valleys are interesting places to explore and can conveniently be used as thoroughfares for…
Portinscale
Swinside is a beautiful and exceptionally spacious duplex apartment for four, perfectly positioned at the front of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house. The elegant sitting room enjoys sweeping views across the main lawn towards Swinside…
Keswick
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
Keswick
Join Pete Jones, Cumbria Wildlife Trust Skiddaw Forest Project Manager, for an evening all about England's highest nature reserve. From the history of the site, through to future plans for restoring some of Britain's rarest habitats, this talk will…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest
Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and experience the powerful combination of heat, cold water and nature with our Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge sessions in Whinlatter Forest.
Set high among…
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Braithwaite, Keswick
10km and half marathon trail runs within Whinlatter Forest
Cumbria
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do not attract the crowds as do their southern neighbours. Great sweeps of open fells dominate the landscape relieved only by the becks. Penetrating this…
Borrowdale, Keswick
Tucked high along a dramatic mountain pass, Honister Slate Mine is one of the Lake District’s best-kept secrets. Still producing the iconic Green Slate using traditional methods, its slate shop is a treasure trove of handcrafted homewares, gifts and…
Keswick
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast to our home cooked meals served in our intimate restaurant or bar. Our menus are interesting and varied making full use of seasonal and local produce…
Buttermere
Discover the Tadpole Round Swim Hike—an unforgettable adventure at the heart of the Buttermere Valley. This unique experience blends classic Lake District hiking with exhilarating swims in the crystal-clear waters of Buttermere and Crummock,…
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
The Restaurant at The Borrowdale offers an experience shaped by its surroundings—thoughtfully prepared food, elegant interiors, and service that gives you time to savour it all.
Keswick
The annual Keswick Convention has been taking place since 1875. A completely free event offering life-changing Bible teaching, worship and fellowship, with fantastic Kids & Youth programme for 3-18 year olds, in the heart of the beautiful Lake…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join photographer Steve Blake on a 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 techniques of landscape…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir surrounded by 2000 acres of spruce and larch.
Keswick
The song of the curlew is one of the iconic harbingers of spring, but the numbers of breeding curlews in UK have halved over the last 25 years. There is real concern that, if no action is taken, curlews will disappear within a few years, and curlew…
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to explore.
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Herdwick Fold was converted from a barn adjoining our 17th century grade II listed farmhouse and sleeps up to four people.
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