Town and civil parish in Cumbria, England
Photo: (WT-en) Nojer2 at English Wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Keswick is the northern tourist hub of the Lake District National Park and is a favourite base for serious walkers and climbers, artists and photographers, and anyone who enjoys mountain and lake scenery. A thriving town of individual shops, including many selling outdoor equipment, art galleries, delis, cafes, restaurants and pubs, Keswick is a great place to collapse at the end of a long walk and eat a hearty meal. It also has many attractions to occupy visitors on a rainy day when heading up into the hills is not the thing to do.
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A museum documenting 350 years of pencil making, situated next to the factory. Graphite was first discovered in nearby Borrowdale, hence the factory is here. Also includes the world's largest coloured pencil.
A Victorian museum (refurbished in 2014) with an assorted permanent collection and temporary displays.
Small brewery of cask and bottled ales, established in 2006. Shop open M-F 10AM-3PM.
Mirehouse was built in 1666, with several later alterations. The lakeside gardens include Cumbrian fruit trees and woodland playgrounds. The Old Sawmill Tearoom is open 10AM-4:30PM all year, except winter Wednesdays.
Most of the site is from 1870, when granite was quarried to use as railway ballast. Propelled by either a steam or diesel heritage locomotive, tour carriages leave from below the museum and go past a mine entrance, then ascend past a workshop and an area containing many industrial machines. Further above the tour stops for a break of 5-10 minutes. Here evidence of quarrying can be seen as well as associated shovelling equipment. The locomotive then brings passengers back to the starting point. Additionally, there is a small indoor museum with a wealth of information on local mining.
Collection of objects from the 1970s and 1980s including toys and computers.
is Keswick's own mountain. The walking path leaves from the back of town and ascends this 3,054-foot hill, the fourth-highest in England. The walk is straightforward, just a little long for non-walkers. First you pass the smaller Latrigg, then along a well-worn path up the grassy slopes. The summit is a long undulating dome with four tops.
The most-climbed of the local fells. This is because it looks great from the lake shore in town, and looks close and easy. Many people take the ferry over to the jetty at Hawse End and take the pleasant walk through the woods then onto the hillside for the easy ascent. However, it is also the hill with the most injuries, because people tackle it in trainers or sandals, then have problems on a section of smooth-worn rock. For an alternative (quieter) route, when the path crossed the lane by the cattle grid, take the small lane to the right of the hill toward Skelgill Farm, and continue the gently ascending path into the Newlands Valley, then head left and uphill to reach the summit ridge after the summit of Catbells. You can then backtrack along the ridge to the summit. People most often descend from this dip on the ridge, down to the side of the lake, then either walk along the lakeshore or catch a ferry back to Keswick from the jetty at Brandlehow.
Walk up from the car park on Whinlatter pass, to a sharp scenic ridge leading up to the summit.
Delicious Roman style pizzas and tapas, with plenty of vegan options. Dog friendly and walk-ins only.
Pizza and steak restaurant. Good food, but service can be slow. Booking advisable at weekends.
Fish and chip shop with sit down area.
Green King
Jennings pub with meals at lunchtime.
Jennings pub with meals.
JD Wetherspoon
Large chain pub with food until 11PM.
In a nice setting in the town by the river.
Independent hostel catering for groups including stag weekends.
Town centre pub with rooms, earning mostly good reviews.
Pleasant B&B in Edwardian house a mile west of town. Open Mar to mid-Dec, no children under 11 or dogs.
Charming hotel and restaurant in mid-Victorian house, open Feb-Dec.
Charming country house in great valley setting, but service and comfort lapsed in early 2020. Open Feb-Dec, no children under 15.
Upscale country house hotel in quiet woodlands. Open Feb-Dec.
Cozy rooms in this Inn, well positioned to walk the Grisedale Pike Horseshoe
Family run guest house located in Braithwaite, Keswick, providing high quality bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lake District National Park.
Excellent restaurant with 9 rooms on Whinlatter Pass. No children under 10 or dogs.
Medium sized upmarket supermarket, which also has a small selection of souvenirs and outdoor stuff.
Large outdoor equipment shop with a cafe. Website has a webcam giving a live view down Lake Rd.
Small outdoor shopping centre, with a good cheese shop, and Sweet Treats which has a large selection of loose boiled sweets.
Toys, camouflage hunting clothing and some value walking kit.
Trains to Keswick were axed back in the 1970s so you either have to drive, cycle, walk or get a bus. You could walk part of the way along the former railway line from Penrith.
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