You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Keswick
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.
Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
Wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon…
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells,…
Our cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Cumbria. Designed with the thoughtful traveller…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick…
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be…
To some, including the famous writer, poet and great thinker John Ruskin, Friar's Crag represents…
How exciting that the summer solstice & full Strawberry moon coincide; the high vibing peak of…
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
"Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on…
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 252
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Lake Rd, Keswick
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love.
Catherine Morland knows little of the world, but who needs real-life experience when you have novels to guide you? Catherine seizes her chance to escape her…
Keswick
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the English Lake District.
Discover the freedom a self catering holiday in the Lake District offers.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
171 reviewsKeswick
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also available to hire.
Wythburn
Commence from the Dob Gill Car Park around a kilometre along the road from Wythburn on the western bank of Thirlmere. Take the footpath that ascends through woodland from the back of the car park.
Keswick
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming bathrooms, hearty breakfast, delicious evening dinner and charmful lounges.
We’ve even got a drying room with boot warmers and a car park with an…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
115 reviewsSkiddaw is one of the elite group of mountains in England whose summit eclipses the 3000 foot barrier. It overlooks Keswick and Derwent Water.
KESWICK
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
Coniston
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
163 reviewsKeswick
Situated in the heart of Borrowdale Valley just off the main road which goes to Buttermere, The Scafell Hotel was formerly a coaching inn, frequented by travellers making the journey over Honister Pass from Keswick to Cockermouth.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Pink moon 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.
Calling in the elements & directions we cast a sacred circle to…
Newlands Valley
Saturday 22nd June 2024
Distance: 26km / 16.1 miles
Fell walking Challenge fundraising in aid of The MS Society. Start/Finish: Swinside Inn, Newlands Valley. The Family 5in5 Challenge will be held on Saturday 22nd Jude 2024 along side our Annual…
Cumbria
The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are crossed by the Old Coach Road. This old track links Dockray with St John's in the Vale and provides an exciting high-level mountain bike route. The riding…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Harvest moon shines bright in the sky, giving light for the gathering of crops. This beautiful super moon illuminates our own personal harvest as we approach the Autumn Equinox, a time of balance and reflection.
Keswick
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to plan and follow a route from a map.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
77 reviewsCockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
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
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival, join us for a walk to the inspiring viewpoint at Broomhill Point.
Keswick
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a wet decent of a Lakeland mountain stream, We are based just twenty minutes walk away from the top of the ghyll which means the only thing getting soaked…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and symbolises fertility, growth and change; blossoming into your fullest potential!
Calling in the elements & directions we cast a sacred circle to celebrate…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL