Keswick

Travel Guide

Keswick showing markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Keswick showing signage, cafe scenes and street scenes
Keswick showing a small town or village and street scenes as well as a small group of people
Keswick featuring markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Keswick featuring cafe lifestyle, signage and a small town or village
Peruse quaint shops and cafés, learn about the Lake Poets and rent a boat in this quaint market town.

Amid mountains and a lake, Keswick is a popular village in the Lake District. Browse the 700-year-old market and learn about the commune’s association with poets Samuel Coleridge and Robert Southey.

Experience the region’s creative scene at the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery. Its collections tell the story of the village’s social and industrial progression. Browse through galleries showcasing works by local artists and writers. Learn about the area’s history via exhibits of pre-historic tools, Roman ceramics and medieval relics.

See a 26-foot-long (8-meter) colored pencil at the Cumberland Pencil Museum. It is the former site of a large pencil manufacturing industry and has exhibits including gadget pencils from World War II. Participate in a workshop to draw with fine art pencils.

See the ornate interior and large organ of the medieval Crosthwaite Church. Look for the memorial to poet Robert Southey. Twelve consecration crosses are hung inside and outside the church.

Walk east for 1.6 mile (2.6 kilometers) from the village center to find the Castlerigg Stone Circle. The ceremonial site dating back to 3,000 B.C. is from the Neolithic period. Snap photos of the stones with a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Aside from cultural highlights, the village is a common base for exploring spectacular terrain. Prepare for your ascent of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. Start climbing from Borrowdale for the most scenic route.

Between the mountain and Keswick lies the vast lake of Derwent Water. Enjoy views of the woodland surrounding the lake and the islands that decorate it. Rent a boat from the small marina near Keswick for an adventure on the water.

The village is north of Derwent Water in the northern section of the Lake District National ParkOpens in a new window. Take a bus or drive northwest for 30 miles (48 kilometers) from WindermereOpens in a new window to reach the village. LondonOpens in a new window is a bit more than 300 miles (500 kilometers) south.

Relish the diverse scenery and historic sites in Keswick, where natural beauty inspired some of England’s greatest poetry.

Keswick Country House Hotel
Keswick Country House Hotel
3 out of 5
Station Road Keswick On Derwentwater, Keswick, England
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Very nice stay with helpful staff"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Keswick Country House Hotel
The Derwentwater Hotel
The Derwentwater Hotel
3 out of 5
The Derwentwater Hotel, Portinscale, Keswick, England
The price is ¥16,387 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥16,387
¥19,664 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (304 reviews)
"Friendly helpful staff, great location, good food"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

The Derwentwater Hotel
Lake District Castle Inn
Lake District Castle Inn
4 out of 5
Bassenthwaite, Keswick, England
The price is ¥25,176 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥25,176
¥30,211 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (614 reviews)
"Located remotely. But beautiful location"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Lake District Castle Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Derwent Manor Apartments
Derwent Manor Apartments
3 out of 5
Derwent Manor Apartments, Keswick, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Keswick. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Womenrock and Crosthwaite Church ...
7.6/10 Good! (56 reviews)
Pleasant hotel in lovely location
"Unfortunately our booked apartment accommodation was unavailable due to a gas leak. However, we were moved to a nice double room and given free breakfast to make up for this. We were also offered 50 % of dinner but the available dining slots were extremely limited so couldn't use that. It was a very ..."

Reviewed on May 20, 2025

Derwent Manor Apartments
Cottage on the Farm
Cottage on the Farm
Bassenthwaite
Stay at this cottage in Keswick. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Church Bay and Bassenthwaite Lake are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
"If you are looking for a quiet and out of the way place to stay then this is definitely it! Part of the old farm house I guess, the cottage is very well appointed even to an air fryer. There is also a lovely garden. Thoroughly enjoyed our short stay, hopefully longer next time, we will return….."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Cottage on the Farm
Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
Keswick
Stay at this cabin in Keswick. Enjoy a water park, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Bassenthwaite Lake and Church Bay are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (221 reviews)
Great location
"The cabin is in excellent condition with a good range of quality kitchen ware. The view is fantastic. This really is one of best cabins to hire in Bassenthwaite. We have stayed here on a few occasions and will be returning soon."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Keswick

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
34
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Not so fun for small children. Our day was unfortunately during a downpour. But Castlerigg made it worth the visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Several excellent hikes directly from town. We most enjoyed taking a ferry to Haws End and walking up and around Catbells. Nice choices of restaurants and pubs recommended by Stonegarth.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Keswick has a good range of walkable options close to the Squirrel Lodge. The pedestrian mall works out very well, and you are within a short driving distance of many, many hikes or bike rides. Ben and Fiona are very outgoing and excellent hosts.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Glorious town in the heart of the Lake District with an interesting history and much experience with serving tourists. The views and scenery around Keswick are splendid, even on days when there is fog and rain.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Be sure to grab a bite at some point at Fellpack. The meals there are terrific.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Be forewarned-everything except restaurants close promptly at 5:00. This is really a town geared for enjoying the beautiful scenery and outdoors in the surrounding area.

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