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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.
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
A superb way to the summit of Skiddaw, which takes in the fine shapely ridge, Longside edge, that…
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel…
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
A National Park Volunteer-led guided walk along the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
A women's cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Yule, the Winter Solstice. Celebrating the…
Overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake and some of England’s highest fells, the Castle Inn offers the…
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, The Old Barn and Farm House…
How exciting that the summer solstice & full Strawberry moon coincide; the high vibing peak of…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland are working with our partner Lakeland Mountain Guides…
The world's most famous detective gets a hilarious makeover in this spectacularly theatrical…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Keswick
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of quality food & drink retailing. We develop strong relationships with the best local suppliers and we are passionate about giving our customers a taste of…
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…
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…
Cumbria
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells. They are gentler and run off in great sweeps to an area of high moors and rolling hills known collectively as the 'Back o' Skidda'. The only features…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural setting, offering a relaxed, high comfort, luxurious spa facility.
Threlkeld, Keswick
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout North West Cumbria. It is one of the oldest brass bands in the world, with roots traceable back to 1825, which is thought to make them the second oldest…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m) highlights include Narrow and Sharp Edges.
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
Keswick
A National Park Volunteer-led guided walk along the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail
Keswick
It is traditional at Beltane to jump the 'Bel fire' for good luck and prosperity, to purify and heal. But why jump when you can walk across it..?
Keswick
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2335 reviewsKeswick
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.
Braithwaite, Keswick
A women's cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Yule, the Winter Solstice.
Celebrating the release of the dark and return of the sun as from now on each new day grows longer.
Keswick
Overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake and some of England’s highest fells, the Castle Inn offers the warmest of welcomes and leisure facilities that provide the opportunity to unwind after a long day.
Keswick
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Cumbria
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be restricted to elite fell runners, so we’ve turned it into an awesome walking holiday by extending the route slightly, so that each day ends in a village with…
Cumbria
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get onto the ridge the walk along its craggy and boulder strewn crest is superb. The setting is magnificent with wide ranging views across Ennerdale to…
KESWICK
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents Keswick's best view.
Cumbria
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but unlike others it has no habitation. In fact the only obvious sign of human presence is the remains of the old barytes mine at the valley head and the…
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