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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.
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Hiring a boat is the perfect way to get out & explore Derwent Water. Choose from our huge selection…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Our 26th Keswick Beer Festival will take place on the 7th and 8th June 2024.
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
You’ve never experienced anything like this… Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against…
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without…
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the…
Join us for an evening of intrigue and opulence aboard the Orient Express! Our Murder Mystery…
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing…
Saturday 22nd June 2024 Distance: 26km / 16.1 miles Fell walking Challenge fundraising in aid of…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake and some of England’s highest fells, the Castle Inn offers the…
Beautiful natural slate products from England's last working mine. Forces of nature formed this…
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A…
Join Eric Hope, renowned Cumbrian angler and environmentalist, for unique guided fishing trips and…
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and…
Ladies, if you have a love for the outdoors, enjoy riding a bike but feel daunted by the thought of…
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest…
Leisure at the Castle Inn offers a great range of facilities available to our Members and guests…
Welcoming guest house overlooking Fitz Park serving an extensive breakfast using locally sourced…
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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12-14 Main St, Keswick
A guided town walk with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide will take you off the beaten track, down alleyways and along country footpaths to explore Keswick and uncover its secrets.
Keswick
Maple Bank is a magnificent Edwardian residence in the quiet valley of Braithwaite enjoying uninterrupted views across the Derwent Valley towards Skiddaw and Latrigg. We are only 2 miles from Keswick.
Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
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
Our well-stocked Shop goes from strength to strength as we increase our range of products. Our friendly & helpful staff are always on hand to help you make the right choice of kit.
Keswick
Residential outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, including those with the most complex needs. It’s what you can do that counts!
Braithwaite, Keswick
Reconnect with nature, reconnect with yourself. Lakeland Wellbeing offers a range of relaxing and mindful activities & retreats to connect you with nature and our beautiful and ancient Lakeland Landscape. Forest bathing, mindfulness, foraging, full…
Keswick
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake and maybe try something new.
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…
Keswick
Newlands Adventure Centre is Keswick's largest provider of outdoor activities and the UK's longest established outdoor activity centre. With some of the best facilities in the Lake District and located in a truly beautiful and unique environment, we…
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…
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…
Stunning Lake District valley with inspirational mountain and lake scenery.
Cumbria
This modest mountain occupies an important position at the head of the Buttermere valley and is surrounded by a diverse and interesting range of peaks. To the south is the towering crags of the Pillar range whilst to the north is the slightly…
Keswick
Leisure at the Castle Inn offers a great range of facilities available to our Members and guests staying at the hotel, included heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Set beneath some of England's highest fells and overlooking Bassenthwaite…
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Visit our beer shop selling bottled beers and cans, local gins and cider, merchandise and beer chutney. We have a great beer selection to drink in or take away. Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2…
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…
Braithwaite, Keswick
The full Cold moon illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst the world is at rest, our dreams for the year ahead are beginning to form in readiness for the return of the sun at the upcoming winter solstice.
Thirlmere was originally two smaller lakes, which were joined to create a single resevoir surrounded by 2000 acres of spruce and larch.
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…
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