Keswick

Keswick is a busy market town to the north of the Lake District. It is situated just north of Derwent Water and was once the centre of the graphite mining and pencil making industries. Today its economy is almost entirely devoted to tourism.

A market is held every Saturday in the centre, around the Moot Hall. Stalls are open from early morning to around 4 pm and offer a wide range of local produce, much of it carrying the Fairtrade logo.

The town also plays host to a number of events including the Keswick Jazz Festival, Film Festival, Beer Festival and Mountain Festival.

Bassenthwaite Lake is 3 miles to the north.

Hotels

Name Notes Normal Rate Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul 23
Cherry Trees Guest House Small family-run guest house. £32.00 Full Full Full
Derwent Lodge Hotel Small hotel in Portinscale. £120.00 Full Full £99.00 (save 17%)
Elm Tree Lodge Guest House Intimate guest house run by a mountaineering instructor. Call for rates and availability
Grange Country House High quality bed and breakfast accommodation. £106.00 Full Full £98.00 (save 8%)
Greystoke House Small, family-run guest house. £30.00 Full Full Full
Kings Arms Hotel Traditional 17th century coaching inn. £84.00 Full Full Full
Kings Head Hotel 17th century coaching house at the foot of Helvellyn. £60.00 Full Full £55.00 (save 8%)
Laurel Bank Bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Keswick. £80.00 Full Full Full
Lodore Falls, Lodore Overlooks Derwent Water. £142.00 Full Full Full
Queens Hotel On the Market Place. £96.00 Full Full Full
Skiddaw Hotel Enjoys a central location in Keswick. £128.00 Full Full Full
Sweeneys Bar Bar and restaurant in the centre of Keswick. Offers 4 rooms. £100.00 Full £70.00 (save 30%) £70.00 (save 30%)

Attractions & Activities

Name Notes
Cars of the Stars Exhibition of cars that have appeared in movies and TV.
Castlerigg Stone Circle Stone circle with magnificent views of Skiddaw and Blencathra.
Cumberland Pencil Museum Explores the history of pencil making.
Derwent Water One of the most attractive Lakes.
Keswick Launch Cruises around Derwent Water.
Keswick Museum The only purpose built museum in the Lake District.
Platty Plus Watersports tuition and equipment hire.

Restaurants, Pubs, Bars & Cafes

Name Type Location Map Notes
31 The Square Restaurant Skiddaw Hotel [View Map] Restaurant at the Skiddaw Hotel. British cuisine made with fresh local produce. Fixed price and a la carte menus offered.
Café Bar 26 Bar Lake Road [View Map] Stylish café/bar. Bistro-style menu offered midday to 2.30 pm.
Casa’s Bar Bar Kings Arms Hotel [View Map] Small sports bar showing all major sporting events.
Courtyard Restaurant Restaurant Kings Arms Hotel [View Map] Informal dining at the Kings Arms Hotel. British/ continental menu. Outdoor seating available.
Dog & Gun Pub Lake Road [View Map] Busy traditional pub. Real ales from local breweries (Keswick Brewing Co., Yates Brewery etc.). Offers simple pub food (try the goulash) at reasonable prices.
Lake View Restaurant Restaurant Lodore Falls Hotel [View Map] Overlooks Derwent Water. 2-3 course lunches and 4-course dinners served daily. Menu makes heavy use of local produce.
Lakeland Pedlar Café Bell Close [View Map] Vegetarian/ wholefood/ internet café (and bike shop).
Loose Box Pizzeria Restaurant Kings Arms Hotel [View Map] Homemade pizzas and pastas. Outdoor seating in courtyard available.
Salsa Restaurant New Street [View Map] Mexican bistro. Tapas and drinks in the bar. Restaurant upstairs.

Review / Comment / Additional Information

Editor
Jan 2008 - Keswick’s Cottage in the Wood Country House Hotel was the only hotel in North West England to Feature in Trip Advisor’s 2008 Travellers’ Choice Awards announced earlier this month. It ranked 7th amongst the Top 10 Best Bargains in Europe.

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Skiddaw Hotel

The Skiddaw Hotel enjoys a central location in Keswick and offers 40 en-suite bedrooms [more]

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Lake District Facts & Figures

Keswick has long been a magnet for tourists. In 1800 poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote 'It is no small advantage here, that for two-thirds of the year we are in complete retirement. The other third is alive and swarms with tourists of all shapes, and sizes, and characters.'