The most northerly of the Lake District’s major towns, Keswick has perhaps the most beautiful location of all: encircled by cloud-capped fells and nestled alongside the island-studded lake of Derwentwater. It’s also ideal for exploring the nearby valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, and a great base for walking – the fells of Skiddaw and Blencathra rise nearby.
After an early breakfast, stroll down to the Derwentwater jetties for the first cruise of the day on the Keswick Launch. Hop off at Hawse End jetty for a hike up Catbells, then catch the boat back to Keswick for lunch at Fellpack. While away the afternoon exploring town, with visits to Keswick Museum and the Derwent Pencil Museum, and a bit of shopping at the Lake District’s oldest (and best) outdoors store, George Fisher. Finish with pizza and drinks at Square Orange or, for something fancier, Morrels or the nearby Cottage in the Woods.
g Bus 555/556 Lakeslink runs hourly to Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere and Kendal. The 77/77A follows a circular route from Keswick via Borrowdale, Honister Pass, Buttermere and Whinlatter. The hourly 78 just serves Borrowdale.
K The busy A66 bypass travels north of Keswick. The B5289 runs south from Keswick into Borrowdale, over Honister Pass, drops into Buttermere, then loops back towards Keswick over the Whinlatter Pass.
Top SightsKeswick
Nestled at the head of Derwentwater among a group of towering fells, Keswick is one of the handsomest of all the Lake District’s market towns. Centred on a lively cobbled marketplace crammed with enough outdoors stores to launch an assault on Everest, the town is the northern Lakes’ main commercial centre – so don’t be surprised if you encounter some crowds in the summer.
h10am-4pm) explores the area’s history, from ancient archaeology through to the arrival of industry in the Lakes. It’s a diverse collection, taking in everything from neolithic axe heads mined in the Langdale valley to a huge collection of taxidermied butterflies. Its best-known exhibits are a 700-year-old mummified cat and the M...
