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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.
Derwent Water Marina is situated in the peaceful and sheltered northwest corner of the lake in the…
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive…
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming…
North of Skiddaw lies an area of high moors and rolling hills. Bleak and lonely – these fells do…
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir…
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and…
Just past the famous Ashness Bridge, clamber up the hill to the right from the road to experience…
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
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…
Welcoming guest house overlooking Fitz Park serving an extensive breakfast using locally sourced…
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our…
Our Michelin Star restaurant offers a delicious tasting menu, created by Chef Jack Bond using the…
Tucked away on the western side of Borrowdale is an old packhorse track. It descends towards Grange…
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect…
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 257
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KESWICK
Pay & Display Car park with 35 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
KESWICK
Central Long Stay Pay and Display Car Park.
Capacity 334, disabled spaces 5, motorcycles free in designated bays.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 116 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces.
The Buttermere National Trust car park lies a few hundred metres to the north of the village of Buttermere, which itself nestles between the two lakes of Buttermere (to the south) and Crummock (to the north).
KESWICK
A small free car park with donation box and 8 spaces. Located on the site of the Threlkeld, off the A66. From the A66, turn into the B5322 and take the 2nd left, the car park is on your left.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 25 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 20 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
COCKERMOUTH
Electric bike charging point, located at The Wheatsheaf pub.
A 50p charge applies for use of this facility.
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 22 spaces.
Kettlewell is a small and popular pay-and-display car park on the shores of Derwent Water. A great place for water-sports, bring your canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, unload and set off for the islands.…
KESWICK
Car park with 25 spaces. Located on the road between Lorton and Braithwaite. Take a short walk from here to the waterfall called Spout Force.
Keswick
An all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter is now available for hire at the Theatre by the Lake, on the shores of Derwentwater.
The Tramper allows those with limited mobility to join these walks and explore the stunning scenery of the Lake District.…
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 35 spaces.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Long Stay Car Park with 253 spaces, 6 disabled spaces and 4 coach bays.
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
KESWICK
Long Stay car park with a capacity of 150 spaces, 4 disabled spaces.
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Blencathra boasts two of the Lake District's finest ridges, Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge. Sharp Edge is the more technical of the two and is usually viewed with mixed emotions; its lofty position and fine sculpted crest have the capacity to…
Nr Keswick
Dodd Wood is a fantastic place to get some amazing views of the northern Lake District. The network of walking trails will guide you deep into the woodland and onto walking trails leading to the Skiddaw massif. For spectacular views over…
KESWICK
Long stay pay and display car park, located in Otley Road, with 87 spaces.
KESWICK
Non-hired bikes can be charged for half an hour if they have been PAT tested and display the sticker at Cyclewise bike shop.
Electric Bike Charging Point, located at Cyclewise, Whinlatter Forest
KESWICK
Pay & Display car park with 40 spaces.
At 350m altitude, this is a good place to gain height before heading for the summits or to start a downhill walk and catch the bus back up.
The car park is off the B5289 at the summit of Honister Pass between…
KESWICK
A small free car park with 20 spaces. Located on the back road to Thornthwaite, off the A66.
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