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.
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest. Each loop is…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works.…
The main ridge of the Scafell Pike massif is traversed on its northwest flank by a spectacular path…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No…
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the…
The ONE 10 is an accurately measured and certified 10 mile road race. The race is sponsored by the…
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without…
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with…
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Keswick Convention is a unique Christian event. Christians from all over the UK and from around the…
Fine food, drink and accommodation at the foot of Blencathera. Dine unwind and stay in our finely…
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
The full Buck moon aligns with the potent & virile energy of the young buck, bringing strength,…
An unique opportunity for anyone over 16 years old. After enjoying a Bird of Prey flying display…
The full Beaver Moon is symbolised by busy beavers, preparing for the winter months ahead. It is…
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
This modest mountain occupies an important position at the head of the Buttermere valley and is…
Buses to and through Borrowdale.
One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 256
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest.
Each loop is approximately 4.16 miles long (replicating the distance of a Backyard Ultra). You can run continuously, to clock up as many miles as you can, or complete 1…
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
Hendersons Yard, Keswick
Pop in for a coffee at Keswick’s latest tourist attraction and Cumbria’s first Jewellery Works. Enjoy a sophisticated café culture serving local artisan coffee by Carvetti, speciality teas, handmade chocolates by Huttons of Windermere and some of…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
29 reviewsCumbria
The main ridge of the Scafell Pike massif is traversed on its northwest flank by a spectacular path known as the Corridor Route. It climbs a rough but steady route from Sty Head to Lingmell Col from where it is a simple climb up the summit screes to…
Keswick
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie movies, and live-streamed theatre, ballet and music.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
291 reviewsKeswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
Cumbria
Borrowdale is a marvellous place to be; its crags, woodland, rivers and lakes make for an ideal setting; the epitome of Lakeland. This route is unashamedly easy being mostly on tarmac and with few problems encountered on the off-road sections,…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to explore. Each junction is marked with a numbered post which is shown on the Forest guide map making it easy to create your own route.
Keswick
Catering for families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Caravan Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
563 reviewsSetmurthy
The ONE 10 is an accurately measured and certified 10 mile road race. The race is sponsored by the Lakes Distillery (www.lakesdistillery.com) and is named after their iconic "The One" whisky. The course starts and finishes at the distillery, taking…
Penrith
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without disabilities. All our Universally Accessible units are wheelchair accessible and include features such as level entry, wide doors and at least 1.5m turning…
Keswick
Beautiful Lakeland stone 19thC building in exquisite gardens. Spectacular mountain views with immediate access to superb walks and forest trails. Located on a lower slope of Skiddaw mountain.
Keswick
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection of crafts to hire - go Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, Rowing or a Pedalo.
Keswick
Keswick Convention is a unique Christian event. Christians from all over the UK and from around the world gather in Keswick to hear the Word of God and to sing God's praises, to be encouraged, inspired and equipped to love and live for Christ in His…
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.
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Buck moon aligns with the potent & virile energy of the young buck, bringing strength, ambition & abundance, fuelled by the long days and balmy nights!
Calling in the elements & directions we cast a sacred circle to celebrate and connect…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Beaver Moon is symbolised by busy beavers, preparing for the winter months ahead. It is our last push to get everything in order, before we head within for the winter months. Connecting with our intuition it is an opportunity for deep self…
Coniston
This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL