Keswick

The name Keswick derives from Old Norse words suggesting a cheese farm, reflecting early Norse settlement in the area during the medieval period. The town was granted the right to hold a market by King Edward I in the 13th century, and that market has operated continuously since, which is an unusual piece of continuity for a town this size. Keswick's later economic history was shaped significantly by the discovery of high-quality graphite at Seathwaite in the Borrowdale valley to the south during the 16th century. The graphite deposits at Borrowdale were among the purest ever found and sparked a pencil-making industry that continues today. The Pencil Museum in the town covers this history and includes one of the world's largest pencils, at almost 26 feet long, which is a genuinely odd exhibit.

What can you do on a weekend in Keswick?

For a weekend break, Keswick works across several different types of visitor. Walkers have immediate access to routes of varying difficulty: the Catbells ridge above the western shore of Derwentwater is a half-day walk with straightforward navigation and views that justify the effort at almost any fitness level. The Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail follows the River Greta for 10 kilometres on a flat, surfaced path that is suitable for families with young children and cyclists. The full Borrowdale valley to the south opens up longer routes into the high fells.

On the water, rowing boats, kayaks and motorised launches can be hired at the Derwentwater boat landings, and the Keswick Launch service runs scheduled circuits of the lake with stops at several jetties, which makes it possible to walk one section of the shore and take the boat back. Theatre by the Lake, positioned at the edge of the water a short walk from the town centre, is Cumbria's only year-round professional producing theatre and puts on a programme across two auditoriums.

What else is there to see and do in Keswick?

Keswick Museum, one of the older established museums in the Lake District, covers the natural and social history of the area and includes a collection connected to the Romantic poets who were drawn to the valley, particularly Robert Southey, who lived in Keswick for 40 years.

The town gets busy in July and August. September and October bring quieter roads, autumn colour on the fells, and weather that can be excellent for walking. The annual Keswick Mountain Festival in May brings a concentration of outdoor events and talks, which either makes it the ideal time to visit or a reason to choose a different weekend, depending on your preference for crowds.