keswick...

Keswick, at the heart of the Northern Lakes, lies amidst a dramatic girdle of mountains and lakes.

To the north are the smooth outlines of the Skiddaw massif. The prominent peaks of Grisedale Pike and Causey Pike to the west contrast with the rugged volcanic rocks of Walla

and Falcon Crags to the east.Southwards, the glistening waters of Derwentwater beckon towards the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale'.

From its humble beginnings as a cheese farm, Keswick is now a vibrant town with abundant facilities for the tourist and resident alike.

About the area

History & heritage

Prosperity came to Keswick in the 16th century with the extraction of minerals from the surrounding fells.

keswick history
keswick heritage

Art & culture

With a theatre, wealth of art galleries and links to the literary greats Keswick has plenty on offer.

keswick art & culture
literary links

Natural environment

The glacial lake of Derwentwater was once joined to Bassenthwaite Lake until river-borne deposits silted up the section to the west of Keswick.

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What's on

Keswick hosts many festivals across the year including; film, beer, mountain, jazz as well as a host of other countryside events.

what's on in keswick

Oddities

Glacial drumlins

Keswick is built on drumlins - mounds of glacial deposits shaped into oval mounds by the action of glaciers. The Moot Hall is built on the crest of a drumlin. Crow Park and the islands in Derwentwater are other drumlins.

One handed clock

The one-handed clock on the Moot Hall is one of the oldest in the country.

Floating island

Derwentwater has a floating island that sporadically appears towards the end of summer. It consists of a mass of vegetable matter that rises to the surface on a cushion of methane gas.