Keswick and The Lake District

Keswick has a reputation for being the tourist centre of the Northern Lakes, yet it still retains the old world charm of a Lakeland market town, with its many speciality shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs to suit all tastes and ages. It nestles on the shores of Derwentwater overlooked by the impressive peaks of Skiddaw, Latrigg and Helvellyn, a beautiful base from which to explore the many delights of the Lake District and beyond to the Solway coast or Hadrians wall.

The walks around Keswick are superb. Castle Head, a 529ft hill half a mile south, gives a glorious view Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake; a walk of 1203ft up Latrigg, a mile northeast, provides a wider panorama; and Friars Crag, a headland on Derwentwater's eastern shore, was said by the writer John Ruskin to be one of Europe's best scenic viewpoints.

On the eastern edge of Keswick is the great prehistoric stone circle of Castlerigg, its setting is distinctly beautiful, surrounded as it is by a rim of mountains. It makes a very pleasant moderate walk, which can be started from the door of Riverside cottage.

Alternatively, a regular launch service on Derwentwater takes you to various jetties around the lake, a lovely way to reach the Borrowdale valley; a stopping off place to visit Ashness Bridge, Surprise View and the Lodore Falls (see above).

Keswick offers a wide range of culture and leisure activities, from the newly built 'Theatre by the Lake' featuring year round performances to the stylish 1920's Alhambra Cinema. The Pencil Museum, 'Cars of the Stars' which houses authentic James Bond cars among many others, the Victorian Museum and Art Gallery or the modern Teapottery. Also many Annual Festivals devoted to Literature, Film and Jazz not to mention the Beer Festival! There is an excellent golf course with panoramic views of the Lakeland fells - click here for website

To find out more about Keswick and see activities, views, webcams, walks, travel information and more visit www.dokeswick.com