Keswick Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Keswick showing street scenes and markets as well as a large group of people
Keswick which includes café lifestyle, signage and street scenes
Keswick
Keswick which includes markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Keswick which includes café scenes, a small town or village and signage

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-metre) 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 kilometres) from the village centre 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 kilometres) from WindermereOpens in a new window to reach the village. LondonOpens in a new window is a bit more than 300 miles (500 kilometres) 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
The price is £143 per night from 4 Jul to 5 Jul
£143
4 Jul - 5 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Lovely stay. Smashing room. Bar area was very nice. Staff were very helpful and pleasant. Restaurant was good for breakfast but the set evening menu was a little disappointing. A bit bland. I would defo stay here again, but would eat elsewhere I. The evening."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Keswick Country House Hotel
The Derwentwater Hotel
The Derwentwater Hotel
3 out of 5
The Derwentwater Hotel, Portinscale, Keswick, England
The price is £79 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£79
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (300 reviews)
"Staff were really friendly and accommodating"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

The Derwentwater Hotel
Lake District Castle Inn
Lake District Castle Inn
4 out of 5
Bassenthwaite, Keswick, England
The price is £140 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£140
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Keswick. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (612 reviews)
"We enjoyed a quiet weekend in the Lake District in the Castle Inn conveniently located near Keswick. The hotel is comfortable and in the late stage of being upgraded; this was happening in the background and did not impact nor disturb. I did feel the staff were a bit thin on the ground; however, ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 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 Wi-Fi, 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 20 May 2025

Derwent Manor Apartments
Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
Keswick, England
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 20 Jun 2025

Luxury lodge, Bassenthwaite,Nr Keswick, at the foot of Skiddaw.
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 22 Jun 2025

Cottage on the Farm
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
202
5 - Excellent 77%
4 - Good
54
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely place, good drinking options. Well worth a visit to the Lakes Distillery also!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

No I want to keep quiet about it’s beauty

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We love Keswick & often stay here to do a little walking & enjoy the great pubs & pub food at night

5/5 - Excellent

Chris+Depa

Highly recommend the Cheese Deli in Keswick (if you like cheese)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We love the area for its relaxed vibe with plenty of places to eat and drink.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love everything about Keswick from the warmth and friendliness of the people to the lovely variety of shops, restaurants and pubs. The beautiful views of lakes and fells. Great choice of accommodation to suit all tastes. Theatre and cinema excellent.

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