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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
These adrenaline-pumping obstacles will test your physical and mental strengths. You’ll need to…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
The loop begins by skirting along the edge of the fells with dramatic and atmospheric views over…
The Northern String Quartet is a highly acclaimed and award-winning ensemble based in the UK,…
The Lodge is a spacious five-bedroom retreat set within its own private garden at The Lingholm…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Sweet Harmony, a flowering of summer music performed by The Wordsworth Singers. Directed by Andy…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
The Buttermere Swimble – The Buttermere Valley is surely one of the most beautiful in the Lake…
Scales Farm a 17C farmhouse on the slopes of Blencathra with spectacular views, close to Keswick,…
You're seven years old. Mum's in hospital. She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a…
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering…
Discover the historic The Yew Tree Pub, nestled at the foot of Honister Pass in Borrowdale Valley.…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
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Number of results: 275
, currently showing 101 to 120.
Address
Castle Inn Hotel by BW Signature Collection, Keswick, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RGTelephone
01768776401Keswick
A welcoming leisure and spa destination for locals and guests alike, featuring pool, gym, tennis and relaxing spa treatments in a beautiful Bassenthwaite setting.
Address
Manesty, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5UGTelephone
017687 77216Keswick
Authentic rural Lakeland farmstead standing in well-maintained grounds beside small wood sheltering wildlife. Peaceful setting, beautiful outlook over Borrowdale with walks from the door to lake, river, woodland and fells. Owner operated.
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Address
Cumbria, CA12 5UYStunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Address
Borrowdale Gates, The Borrowdale Gates, Grange, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5UQTelephone
017687 77204Grange, Keswick
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland fells. Our menus celebrate the Lake District's glorious food heritage - contemporary, country house cooking with a lightness of touch that is wonderfully…
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Address
Keswick Film Festival, The Alhambra Cinema, St John's St, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5AGTelephone
017687 72195St John's St, Keswick
Keswick Film Festival is Cumbria’s premiere cinematic event bringing the best of international and independent cinema from across the world for those who love films and the beautiful setting of the Lake District.
Address
The Lingholm Kitchen, The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TZTelephone
017687 71206Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
Address
Kestrel Lodge Campsite, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QXTelephone
01539 267030Keswick
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from Keswick, our site at Kestrel Lodge Campsite makes for an ideal location for exploring the Lake District and northern fells. A quiet, family run, family…
Address
The Cottage In The Wood, Magic Hill, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TWTelephone
017687 78409Braithwaite, Keswick
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in England, with nine contemporary rooms offering woodland or garden views, it’s a haven of tranquillity and relaxation.
Tourism For All
Cumbria
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through Borrowdale and onto Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the Newlands Valley. This short trail through some of the finest…
Address
Horse & Farrier, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SQTelephone
017687 79688Keswick
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely refurbished facilities – locally sourced food, local real ales, open fires bedrooms and suites to suit all.
Tourism For All
Keswick
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and breakfast is situated a short flat walk from Keswick town centre and about a 5-minute flat walk from Derwentwater queen of the lakes.
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Address
Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TWTelephone
017687 78469Braithwaite, Keswick
A summer of fun awaits at Whinlatter Forest!
Let your little one go wild in the summer holidays at Whinlatter with the return of Wild Things Adventure Club. The club offers lots of brilliant forest activities that is sure to keep you're little…
Address
Theatre By The Lake, Lake Rd, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJTelephone
+441768206076Keswick
Welcome to the farm.
In The Farmer's Wife, one day holds a lifetime. Three generations of women from the same family – a daughter, a mother and a grandmother – share a kitchen, their stories overlapping as the past and present sit side by side…
Address
Newlands Adventure Centre, Stair, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5UFTelephone
017687 78463Keswick
Paddleboarding is quickly gaining popularity as a new paddle sport in the UK, and there’s no better place to try it out than the stunning mountain scenery of the Lake District.
Address
Horse & Farrier, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SQTelephone
017687 79688Keswick
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…
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Address
Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QZTelephone
01768776641Keswick
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
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Address
2 Greta Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4HSTelephone
017687 75918Keswick
A 200 year old Cottage overlooking Fitz Park with stunning views of the River Greta, Skiddaw and Latrigg.
Address
Bridge Hotel, Lake District National Park, The English, Buttermere, Cumbria, CA13 9UZTelephone
017687 70252The English, Buttermere
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn. Apartments built in grounds 17 years ago and continually upgraded.
Tourism For All
Address
Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TWTelephone
07423753212Braithwaite, 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…
Address
Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, CA12 4RDTelephone
017687 76239Bassenthwaite
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are friendly and inquisitive animals and just like us they enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. Meet our five boys Hugo, Hector, Herbie, Dougal and…
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