Keswick, the English Lake District
Day Trips in the Northwest of England

Book a Keswick Hotel or Guest House

Of all the Lake District towns, Keswick boasts one of the most spectacular settings - nestling between the mountain of Skiddaw and the lake of Derwentwater, the old medieval town still attracts large numbers of visitors. It is situated ideally as a base for touring the central and northern lakes, and offers many walks and climbing opportunities for the more sporty visitor.
The town's most distinctive central landmark is the Market Square with the Moot Hall, which now houses the Tourist Information Centre, and on Saturdays, the traditional street market. In the National Park this passes for a major large town - though by any other it is very modest in size. Despite this there are a profusion of tourist accommodations from large central Hotels like the Scafell Hotel and the Royal Oak, as well as innumerable teashops, cafés and restaurants. Just off the main Square are many small guest houses offering Bed & Breakfast facilities.
For those wishing to find a typical unspoiled and friendly English pub atmosphere, with good fresh home-cooked traditional meals served all day long, the author can personally recommend eating at the Oddfellows Arms in the main Market Square. Traditional roasts and vegetarian meals are always on the menu. The pub has an outside beer garden for up to 170 people, an upstairs non-smoking restaurant, and a distinctive horse racing atmosphere which reflects the abiding interest of the landlord.
The Keswick Lodge Hotel is also friendly and warm and located centrally. We can also recommend a visit to Olde Friars Chocolate Shop in Keswick for an unrivalled range of delectable chocolates in every size, shape and variety.
Some of the many tourist attractions in Keswick include The Beatrix Potter's Lake District Exhibition, Hope Park with its golf, miniature golf range, pleasant gardens and spectacular views of the Lake and surrounding hills, steamer trips on Derwentwater from Lakeside, and just 2 miles east of Keswick, the Castelrigg Stone Circle, 37 standing stones dating back to Neolithic times offering spectacular views of Skiddaw and Helvellyn (visit recommended).Fitz Park offers children's playground facilities and bowls.
Derwentwater is regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the English Lakes, and the visitor may hire a rowing boat or a motor launch to enjoy the numerous small islands which dot the lake at their leisure (hire details follow below).
Parking is available in designated sites off town centre and at Lakeside. Please note that access to town centre is prohibited to traffic on Saturdays due to the street market. Also worth a visit for its sheer novelty is the "Cars of the Stars" Motor Museum Permanent Exhibition in Standish Street (just off Main Street through Packhorse Court). This display features famous vehicles from film and television, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Batmobile, Lady Penelope's FAB1 from "Thunderbirds", KITT from "Knightrider", James Bond's car, Del & Rodney's Robin Reliant from the TV series "Only Fools & Horses", and many others.
Packhorse Court, just off the main square has been considerably redeveloped in the early 1990s, but still bears district traces of its original heritage as a "burbage plot" dating from medieval days. The court formed the backup for the town's ancient market place, and included stables, blacksmiths, farriers, wheelwrights, livery and feedstuffs for the packhorses who brought goods to market.

Book a Keswick Hotel or Guest House

Keswick, looking towards Skiddaw

The Market Square with
the Moot Hall

The town shopping centre

Derwentwater

‡ Greta Bridge looking towards Keswick and Skiddaw

‡ Skiddaw in wintertime

Cars of the Stars Museum

Packhorse Court

Packhorse Court - a plaque marks the spot where the medieval market stood.

Photos by John Moss
except
‡ Courtesy of
the Corel Corporation

KESWICK CLIMBING WALL
Southey Hill Trading Estate, Keswick.
Telephone: 017687 72000.
Indoor climbing lessons for people of all ages. Outdoor gear shop and café.

KESWICK GOLF CLUB
Threlkeld Hall, Threlkeld. Tel: 017687 79010.
Parkland golf course 3 miles from Keswick on the Penrith Road. Visitors welcome. Full club facilities.

KESWICK LEISURE POOL
Station Road, Keswick. Tel: 017687 72760.
Pool with wave machine and water slide. Café, sunbed and beach area. Constant temperature. Swimming lessons, disabled facilities. Open 7 days a week.

KESWICK ON DERWENTWATER LAUNCH CO.
29 Manor Park, Keswick. Tel: 017687 72263.
Passenger launches from 6 landing stages. Half-hourly service from March to November. Restricted service December-February. Also self-drive motor launches and rowing boats for hire. Open 9.00am - dusk.

KESWICK MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
Station Road, Fitz Park, Keswick.
Tel: 017687 73263.
Local artists, music and poetry manuscripts. Open 10.00am-6.00pm Good Friday to 31st October.

CUMBERLAND PENCIL MUSEUM
Southey Works, Keswick. Tel: 017687 73626.
The story of pencil manufacture from this world- famous brand name pencil company. Exhibitions, demonstrations, videos. Gift shop. Audio Tours available. Open 9.30am to 4.00pm all year except Christmas-New Year.

CENTURY THEATRE
Lakeside, Keswick. Tel: 017687 72282.
A unique and intimate playhouse theatre set beside Derwentwater across from Hope Park. A summer season of popular plays, comedies and classic drama is offered as well as occasional Sunday shows and Old Time Music Hall. Open May to October, nightly.

Regrettably, due to cutbacks, there is no longer a Tourist Information Centre in Keswick - for others in the Lake District click here.