Keswick is ideally situated in the heart of the
Lake District, between the Skiddaw mountains and the Northern
shores of Derwentwater, one of England's most beautiful lakes.
Getting
to Keswick
The town is easy to reach by road, being just
20 minutes along the A66 trunk road from Junction 40 of the M6
motorway.
The nearest railway station is at Penrith, which is on the West
Coast Main Line. From here there is a regular bus service to Keswick.
There is also a choice of taxi services available at Penrith
or pre-booked from Keswick. Many accommodation providers will
arrange for a taxi to meet you at the station.
National Express run regular coach services to Keswick from London
and other UK locations.
There are a good range of routes around Keswick served by Stagecoach
Cumberland buses. Information on these is available on Stagecoach Northwest ( 0870 6082608 ). Four day travel
anywhere tickets are good value for visitors and may be purchased
from the Keswick Tourist Information Centre or the Keswick Post
Office.
The Lake District has a range of especially scenic
bus routes which are described here.
The National Trust provides a minibus service to some popular
local spots. Mountain Goat Tours ( 017687 73692 )
provide popular guided tours of most areas of the Lake District
and further afield.
The Keswick
Launch Company water bus service is very popular and a good
way of seeing Derwentwater and the surrounding fells.
National Trust Landscape Tours and Mountain Goat tours may be
booked at the Keswick Tourist Information Office, who also supply
Keswick Launch tickets at discount rates!
For those who prefer two wheels, cycle hire is available at various
locations in and around Keswick.
Accommodation
Keswick offers a wide variety of accommodation
for visitors. The Keswick Tourism Association's official
web site is the largest source of information about inspected
and approved accommodation.
Keswick, being in the centre of the best walking
country in England has a wide variety of shops selling outdoor
clothing and equipment, from budget to the very best quality.
There is a range of shops selling collectables and antiques,
local stone crafts, art in its various forms, locally made Cumberland
Rexel pencils etc.. There are also 'essential' shops such as
chemists, bakers and confectioners, stationers and so on.
Outdoor
activities
There are too many activities to cover them
all here!
Few areas can offer a better variety of walking and climbing
opportunities.
Guided
walks leave the Moot Hall daily from Easter until November.
For those who like to plan their own routes there are links
to suggestions on our walks page.
There are also a large number of cycle routes in the area, some
covering the most stunning and rugged scenery, including the
new Altura mountain biking trail in Whinlatter Forest.
There are water sports aplenty, horse riding, paragliding, golf,
tennis, bowls, fells on which to run....
Fishing licences and permits are available from the Keswick Tourist
Information Centre.
You can obtain advice and recommendations about local walks and
activities by visiting Keswick's on-line
forum.
Theatre
Keswick's very popular and successful Theatre
by the Lake is ideally situated close to Derwentwater.
The theatre offers a programme of arts and entertainment
throughout the year. There is a coffee shop and fully licensed
bars. Tickets and information on 017687 74411
At night
Fulfilling its role as a popular holiday destination,
Keswick offers a range of pubs, restaurants and clubs for those
who desire them. There is a cinema which shows the latest films
and, of course, the Theatre. For lovers of local scenery there
are regular slide shows by local photographers, mountain guides
and climbers.
In the summer months many of the town centre shops are open until
late, ideal for those who like to browse for gifts for friends
(or themselves) or momentos of their visit.
Keswick District
and Town Map
The Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale map of the
Keswick area is highly recommended for visitors. You can order
a copy of this map here.
