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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.
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness…
Swinside is a beautiful and exceptionally spacious duplex apartment for four, perfectly positioned…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef…
Get Crafty! Drop in and join our team in the Visitor Centre for free craft activities. A great…
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache?…
Explore the waters of the Lake District at Derwentwater with us. Hop in a canoe and paddle through…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Enjoy traditional afternoon tea at Borrowdale Gates Hotel, served daily 12–2.30pm with sandwiches,…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a family friendly half day workshop. Whinlatter's beautiful…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
An unique opportunity for anyone over 16 years old. After enjoying a Bird of Prey flying display…
The Black Moss Potter takes a ramble up the wonderful Langstrath Valley, right at the heart of…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Set on the shores of Derwentwater in Keswick, Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
Retro caravan in great condition with two bedrooms sleeping 4. Elevated sheltered position tucked…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Skiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot…
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 303
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Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Pink moon in Libra aligns with spring flowers bursting into life and symbolises happiness & optimism, a time to focus our energy on creating and manifesting our dreams and goals. It calls us to embrace balance, love, and the beauty of…
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…
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…
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
Get Crafty!
Drop in and join our team in the Visitor Centre for free craft activities. A great way to finish off your day in the forest with a simple but creative memento to take away!
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join us for a magical guided evening walk through the forest.
Listen out for owls, learn about the wildlife in the forest and experience the wonders of the night sky. Finish with hot chocolate & marshmallows around a campfire.
Please bring a…
Little Crosthwaite, Keswick
To celebrate 50 years of the Lake District Calvert Trust, we're holding a golden anniversary Open Day!
Locals, guests, visitors and supporters are invited to our unique site at Little Crosthwaite to explore the Calvert Lakes activity centre and talk…
Keswick
Does your partner ever ask you for a massage, and after a few minutes your hands start to ache? With this tutorial you learn an easy, effective home treatment, ideal for soothing tense shoulders.
Keswick
Explore the waters of the Lake District at Derwentwater with us. Hop in a canoe and paddle through the stunning landscapes. Whether you're up for adventure or simply want to unwind, a canoe adventure offers the perfect chance to connect with the…
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.
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…
Keswick
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.
Grange, Borrowdale
Enjoy traditional afternoon tea at Borrowdale Gates Hotel, served daily 12–2.30pm with sandwiches, warm scones, cakes and fine teas, all enjoyed with stunning Borrowdale Valley views.
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…
Keswick
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience the rewards of Surprise View.
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that extends north from Carl Side and is separated from the main massif by the deep trench of Southerndale. From a distance the crest of Longside Edge looks…
Bassenthwaite
An unique opportunity for anyone over 16 years old. After enjoying a Bird of Prey flying display on the park your experience will begin. Our falconer will teach you how to recall and hold the birds and we start with an owl. Following this we move…
Keswick
The Black Moss Potter takes a ramble up the wonderful Langstrath Valley, right at the heart of Borrowdale, to enjoy prolonged dips in the delightful pools of Langstrath and Stonethwaite Beck. The highlight of the day is a swim in the fabled Black…
Keswick
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft sessions at Keswick Museum! Create a beautiful bunch of fresh cut spring flowers using all the resources of our craft cupboard. Perfect for an Easter…
Lake Rd, Keswick
Set on the shores of Derwentwater in Keswick, Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally acclaimed theatre, made with passion, in one of the most extraordinary places in the world.
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