🇬🇧United Kingdom · Places to discover
What to see in Keswick?
27 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Landmarks & heritage
5 places
1Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
Keswick Moot Hall
A 16th-century building at the heart of Keswick's marketplace, instantly recognisable by its distinctive clock turret. Once serving as a courthouse and trading centre, it now functions as the local tourist information office.
2Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
St Kentigern's Church, Crosthwaite
A 12th-century church dedicated to St Kentigern, the legendary founder of Keswick, featuring remarkable Norman elements. The Poet Laureate Robert Southey lies buried in the churchyard — a discreet literary pilgrimage site.
3Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
St John's in the Vale Church
Small twelfth-century church isolated in a pastoral valley between Keswick and Thirlmere. The poet John Richardson is buried here, and the view of Blencathra from the churchyard is breathtaking.
4Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
Castlerigg Stone Circle
One of Britain's oldest and best-preserved stone circles, perched on a plateau with sweeping views across the surrounding fells. Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and experience the genuinely evocative atmosphere.
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Landmark
Landmark
Ashness Bridge
Seventeenth-century stone bridge framing Skiddaw perfectly in the background—one of the Lake District's most celebrated photographic compositions. Far less crowded early in the morning, when the light is magical.
Museums
2 places
6Wikipedia · CC BY-SAMuseum
Keswick Museum and Art Gallery
A charming Victorian museum housing an eclectic collection of local curiosities, including a Lodore wood piano and musical stones. Often overlooked by hurried visitors, this local institution deserves far greater attention.
7Wikipedia · CC BY-SAMuseum
Pencil Museum
A quirky museum charting the history of graphite pencil-making, an industry born in Keswick thanks to the Borrowdale graphite mines. Genuinely engaging and rather surprising, it houses the world's largest pencil and tells the story of this unique local heritage.
Nature
6 places
8Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Skiddaw
England's fourth-highest mountain, and climbing it from Keswick is something of a rite of passage for locals. The path is well-marked throughout, and on clear days the summit view extends north into Scotland.
9Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Watendlath Tarn
An isolated mountain tarn reached by a narrow single-track road, surrounded by a hamlet of stone farms that seem virtually unchanged since medieval times. Hugh Walpole set his novel 'Judith Paris' here — the most timeless spot in the region.
10Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Lodore Falls
A hidden waterfall nestled deep in woodland at the far end of Derwentwater, immortalised in Robert Southey's celebrated poem. After heavy rainfall the cascade becomes particularly impressive; reach it by ferry to the Lodore landing stage.
11Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Catbells
The favourite walk of Keswick residents, easily reached by ferry from Hawse End landing stage. The ridge delivers spectacular views across Derwentwater and Borrowdale without requiring expert-level fell-walking skills.
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Nature
Nature
Greta Gorge Walk
A trail following the River Greta through a wooded gorge north of Keswick, featuring waterfalls and moss-covered rocks. Little known to visitors but walked daily by locals connecting Keswick to Threlkeld on foot.
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Nature
Nature
Derwentwater
Keswick's iconic lake, surrounded by wooded fells and dotted with mysterious small islands. Take the circular ferry to explore the various landing stages and access hidden walking trails that branch inland.
Parks & gardens
3 places
14Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPark
Lingholm Kitchen & Gardens
Victorian terraced gardens on the western shore of Derwentwater, a former property where Beatrix Potter holidayed. The café in the old stables serves excellent lunches using local produce.
15Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPark
Underscar Manor Gardens
Victorian terraced gardens cascading down the flank of Skiddaw, formerly private property, commanding spectacular views across Derwentwater. Come May, the rhododendrons transform the place into an Impressionist canvas.
16Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPark
Crow Park
A modest grassy park on the shore of Derwentwater, the natural starting point for lakeside walks beloved by residents. Less manicured than Friar's Crag, this is where Keswick families picnic with views across the lake's islands.
Viewpoints
5 places
17Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Walla Crag
A wooded ridge overlooking Derwentwater from the east, reached via a forest path from Keswick. Less celebrated than Catbells, it nonetheless offers a distinct perspective over the lake and Borrowdale Valley.
18Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Friar's Crag
A rocky promontory jutting into Derwentwater, rated by John Ruskin among England's finest views. Just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, it's the ideal spot to catch the sunset over the lake.
19Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Latrigg Summit
Small fell north of Keswick offering a 360° panorama over the town, Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. An easy climb from town in less than an hour, ideal for watching the sunset away from the crowds.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Castlehead Wood Viewpoint
A modest wooded hill a ten-minute walk from the town centre offering 360-degree views across Keswick, Derwentwater and the fells. A well-kept secret amongst locals who venture here for drinks with a view.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Surprise View, Ashness
A sudden and dramatic viewpoint over Derwentwater and Keswick from the narrow Ashness lane. Locals invariably bring visiting friends here for the guaranteed moment of astonishment as the view unfolds.
Activities
5 places
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Activity
Activity
Nichol End Marine
A canoe, kayak and windsurfing hire centre on the north-west shore of Derwentwater. Locals spend their summer weekends here; the atmosphere is relaxed and the rates are fair.
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Activity
Activity
Keswick Rugby Club
An amateur rugby club founded in 1879, one of the oldest in northern England, with its ground cradled by the fells. Watching a Saturday afternoon match is an authentically local experience, followed by beers in the clubhouse.
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Activity
Activity
Allerdale Ramble – Portinscale to Braithwaite
A section of long-distance footpath hugging the western shore of Derwentwater through woodland and meadow. Used daily by Portinscale residents as their route on foot to Keswick — the authentic local commute.
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Activity
Activity
Keswick Climbing Wall
A local climbing gym frequented by the area's dedicated climbers, ideal for warming up before tackling the natural rock routes of Borrowdale. The convivial atmosphere and generous local expertise make it well worth a visit.
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Activity
Activity
Keswick Launch Ferry
The circular ferry on Derwentwater calls at seven landing stages and grants access to otherwise inaccessible walking trails. Residents use it as daily transport as readily as leisurely sightseers.
More to discover
1 place
- 27
Place
Place
Castlerigg Farm Shop
Family-run farm on the heights above Keswick selling its own dairy products, meat and vegetables. The handmade ice cream made with milk from their own cows is a local must-try, summer and winter alike.
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