Campsites in Keswick, Cumbria
39 bookable campsites within 15 miles of Keswick
-
1/229
- Working farm site in the Lake District with stunning fell views
- Just off the A66 road in Threlkeld, a 10-minute drive from Keswick
- Blencathra, Skiddaw and Helvellyn ranges within 20-minute drive
Fully-serviced gravel touring pitch 5 x From £29/€33.92/A$56.24/US$36.93/CA$49.99/CHF32.62/SEK382.57/DKK252.92/NOK391.63/ISK5,044/ARS31,413.96/CLP34,643/PEN136.21/NZ$60.60/ZAR692.56/PLN145.95/R$184.31/CZK852.59/RSD3,975/HUF13,323.56/RUB3,416.65/CN¥264.13 per night -
1/93
- Lake District working farm two miles from Thirlmere
- A 10-minute drive to Derwentwater, Keswick and Grasmere
- Adult-only dog-friendly site; 20 minutes' walk to the local pub
Electric hardstanding motorhome pitch 2 x From £25/€29.24/A$48.48/US$31.83/CA$43.09/CHF28.12/SEK329.80/DKK218.03/NOK337.61/ISK4,348/ARS27,081/CLP29,865/PEN117.42/NZ$52.24/ZAR597.04/PLN125.82/R$158.89/CZK734.99/RSD3,427/HUF11,485.83/RUB2,945.39/CN¥227.70 per night Birchell’s summer house microlodge 2 x From £55/€64.32/A$106.66/US$70.03/CA$94.80/CHF61.87/SEK725.56/DKK479.67/NOK742.74/ISK9,565/ARS59,578.20/CLP65,702/PEN258.33/NZ$114.93/ZAR1,313.48/PLN276.81/R$349.55/CZK1,616.97/RSD7,538/HUF25,268.83/RUB6,479.86/CN¥500.94 per night Caravan on-site touring caravan 2 x From £65/€76.02/A$126.05/US$82.76/CA$112.04/CHF73.12/SEK857.47/DKK566.88/NOK877.79/ISK11,305/ARS70,410.60/CLP77,648/PEN305.29/NZ$135.83/ZAR1,552.30/PLN327.13/R$413.10/CZK1,910.97/RSD8,909/HUF29,863.16/RUB7,658.01/CN¥592.02 per night -
1/635
- Lake District pop-up site in the foothills of Blencathra
- Keswick, Skiddaw and Helvellyn all within a 10-minute drive
- Simple, spacious pitches with a stream for paddling
Non-electric grass tent pitch 4 x From £17/€19.88/A$32.97/US$21.65/CA$29.30/CHF19.12/SEK224.26/DKK148.26/NOK229.58/ISK2,957/ARS18,415.08/CLP20,308/PEN79.85/NZ$35.52/ZAR405.99/PLN85.56/R$108.04/CZK499.79/RSD2,330/HUF7,810.36/RUB2,002.87/CN¥154.84 per night -
1/36
- Smart, well-equipped yurts on a family-run Lake District farm
- A 10-minute drive from Derwentwater and 20 from Keswick
- Next to the Derwent river, with fab views of Borrowdale
Yurt 5 x From £299/€349.68/A$579.83/US$380.71/CA$515.39/CHF336.35/SEK3,944.38/DKK2,607.67/NOK4,037.82/ISK52,001/ARS323,888.78/CLP357,180/PEN1,404.35/NZ$624.82/ZAR7,140.58/PLN1,504.81/R$1,900.28/CZK8,790.46/RSD40,981/HUF137,370.54/RUB35,226.87/CN¥2,723.29 per 3 nights -
1/492
- Peaceful family-run farm site next to the River Derwent
- Excellent base for hikes, including Scafell and Great Gable
- Woodfired pizzas on Friday and Saturday nights, a short walk away
Non-electric grass tent or campervan pitch 5 x From £24/€28.07/A$46.54/US$30.56/CA$41.37/CHF27/SEK316.61/DKK209.31/NOK324.11/ISK4,174/ARS25,997.76/CLP28,670/PEN112.72/NZ$50.15/ZAR573.16/PLN120.79/R$152.53/CZK705.59/RSD3,289/HUF11,026.40/RUB2,827.57/CN¥218.59 per night -
1/177
- Quiet and secluded site with spectacular views of the Lake District
- Five-minute drive from Bassenthwaite Lake; 15 to Keswick, Cockermouth
- Spa next door; five minutes' walk to the Lake District Wildlife Park
Electric hardstanding motorhome pitch 4 x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night -
1/209
- Secluded and peaceful base from which to explore the western lakes
- Hot showers and hairdryers available on site
- Dogs welcome and barbecues allowed
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 5 x From £18/€21.05/A$34.91/US$22.92/CA$31.03/CHF20.25/SEK237.45/DKK156.98/NOK243.08/ISK3,131/ARS19,498.32/CLP21,502/PEN84.54/NZ$37.61/ZAR429.87/PLN90.59/R$114.40/CZK529.19/RSD2,467/HUF8,269.80/RUB2,120.68/CN¥163.94 per night Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 5 x From £25/€29.24/A$48.48/US$31.83/CA$43.09/CHF28.12/SEK329.80/DKK218.03/NOK337.61/ISK4,348/ARS27,081/CLP29,865/PEN117.42/NZ$52.24/ZAR597.04/PLN125.82/R$158.89/CZK734.99/RSD3,427/HUF11,485.83/RUB2,945.39/CN¥227.70 per night Electric grass touring caravan pitch 5 x From £25/€29.24/A$48.48/US$31.83/CA$43.09/CHF28.12/SEK329.80/DKK218.03/NOK337.61/ISK4,348/ARS27,081/CLP29,865/PEN117.42/NZ$52.24/ZAR597.04/PLN125.82/R$158.89/CZK734.99/RSD3,427/HUF11,485.83/RUB2,945.39/CN¥227.70 per night -
1/26
- Cumbria glamping accommodation at a scenic Lake District park
- A 10-minute drive to Ullswater; outdoor activity centre next door
- Comfy units with ensuite bathroom, heating and kitchen facilities
Camping pod (disabled friendly) 3 x From £79/€92.39/A$153.20/US$100.59/CA$136.17/CHF88.87/SEK1,042.16/DKK688.98/NOK1,066.85/ISK13,739/ARS85,575.96/CLP94,372/PEN371.05/NZ$165.09/ZAR1,886.64/PLN397.59/R$502.08/CZK2,322.56/RSD10,828/HUF36,295.23/RUB9,307.43/CN¥719.53 per night Microlodge 4 x From £79/€92.39/A$153.20/US$100.59/CA$136.17/CHF88.87/SEK1,042.16/DKK688.98/NOK1,066.85/ISK13,739/ARS85,575.96/CLP94,372/PEN371.05/NZ$165.09/ZAR1,886.64/PLN397.59/R$502.08/CZK2,322.56/RSD10,828/HUF36,295.23/RUB9,307.43/CN¥719.53 per night Cabin 6 x From £99/€115.78/A$191.98/US$126.05/CA$170.65/CHF111.37/SEK1,306/DKK863.41/NOK1,336.94/ISK17,218/ARS107,240.77/CLP118,264/PEN464.99/NZ$206.88/ZAR2,364.27/PLN498.25/R$629.19/CZK2,910.55/RSD13,569/HUF45,483.89/RUB11,663.74/CN¥901.69 per night -
1/806
- Working hill farm in the north of the Lake District National Park
- A 15-minute drive from Keswick and Penrith; 10 minutes from Ullswater
- Stunning views of Blencathra and the Northern Fells
Electric optional grass tent pitch 5 x From £26/€30.41/A$50.42/US$33.11/CA$44.82/CHF29.25/SEK342.99/DKK226.75/NOK351.12/ISK4,522/ARS28,164.24/CLP31,059/PEN122.12/NZ$54.33/ZAR620.92/PLN130.85/R$165.24/CZK764.39/RSD3,564/HUF11,945.26/RUB3,063.21/CN¥236.81 per night Non-electric grass tent pitch 6 x From £26/€30.41/A$50.42/US$33.11/CA$44.82/CHF29.25/SEK342.99/DKK226.75/NOK351.12/ISK4,522/ARS28,164.24/CLP31,059/PEN122.12/NZ$54.33/ZAR620.92/PLN130.85/R$165.24/CZK764.39/RSD3,564/HUF11,945.26/RUB3,063.21/CN¥236.81 per night Non-electric grass tent pitch (riverside) 5 x From £27.30/€31.93/A$52.94/US$34.76/CA$47.06/CHF30.71/SEK360.14/DKK238.09/NOK368.67/ISK4,748/ARS29,572.45/CLP32,612/PEN128.22/NZ$57.05/ZAR651.97/PLN137.40/R$173.50/CZK802.61/RSD3,742/HUF12,542.53/RUB3,216.37/CN¥248.65 per night Electric grass and gravel touring pitch 6 x From £28/€32.75/A$54.30/US$35.65/CA$48.26/CHF31.50/SEK369.37/DKK244.20/NOK378.12/ISK4,870/ARS30,330.72/CLP33,448/PEN131.51/NZ$58.51/ZAR668.68/PLN140.92/R$177.95/CZK823.19/RSD3,838/HUF12,864.13/RUB3,298.84/CN¥255.02 per night Camping pod (no pets) 4 x From £57/€66.66/A$110.54/US$72.58/CA$98.25/CHF64.12/SEK751.94/DKK497.11/NOK769.75/ISK9,913/ARS61,744.68/CLP68,091/PEN267.72/NZ$119.11/ZAR1,361.25/PLN286.87/R$362.26/CZK1,675.77/RSD7,812/HUF26,187.69/RUB6,715.49/CN¥519.16 per night Camping pod 4 x From £65/€76.02/A$126.05/US$82.76/CA$112.04/CHF73.12/SEK857.47/DKK566.88/NOK877.79/ISK11,305/ARS70,410.60/CLP77,648/PEN305.29/NZ$135.83/ZAR1,552.30/PLN327.13/R$413.10/CZK1,910.97/RSD8,909/HUF29,863.16/RUB7,658.01/CN¥592.02 per night Kipper cabin 2 x From £65/€76.02/A$126.05/US$82.76/CA$112.04/CHF73.12/SEK857.47/DKK566.88/NOK877.79/ISK11,305/ARS70,410.60/CLP77,648/PEN305.29/NZ$135.83/ZAR1,552.30/PLN327.13/R$413.10/CZK1,910.97/RSD8,909/HUF29,863.16/RUB7,658.01/CN¥592.02 per night -
1/114
- Campervan pitches in a meadow with fell views near Penrith in Cumbria
- A 15-minute drive from Ullswater and Keswick; overlooks Blencathra
- Dog-friendly; laundry and washroom; direct access to walks and cycling
Non-electric grass campervan pitch 4 x From £20/€23.39/A$38.78/US$25.47/CA$34.47/CHF22.50/SEK263.84/DKK174.43/NOK270.09/ISK3,478/ARS21,664.80/CLP23,892/PEN93.94/NZ$41.79/ZAR477.63/PLN100.66/R$127.11/CZK587.99/RSD2,741/HUF9,188.66/RUB2,356.31/CN¥182.16 per night -
1/655
- Peaceful site on a farm five minutes' drive from Bassenthwaite
- Spectacular views over Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw
- Distillery and wildlife park within a few minutes' drive
Orchard electric grass tent pitch (medium, two person) 2 x From £32.50/€38.01/A$63.03/US$41.38/CA$56.02/CHF36.56/SEK428.74/DKK283.44/NOK438.89/ISK5,652/ARS35,205.30/CLP38,824/PEN152.65/NZ$67.91/ZAR776.15/PLN163.57/R$206.55/CZK955.48/RSD4,454/HUF14,931.58/RUB3,829.01/CN¥296.01 per night Orchard electric grass tent pitch (five person, large) 5 x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night Paddock electric grass tent or campervan pitch (large) 5 x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night Paddock electric hardstanding touring pitch (large) 5 x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night -
1/33
- Adults-only Lake District glamping pods at the foot of Carrock Fell
- A 20-minute drive to Blencathra; 25 minutes to Keswick
- Private hot tub, ensuite shower room and mini kitchen for each pod
Carrock Squirrel camping pod (hot tub, large) 2 x From £160/€187.12/A$310.28/US$203.72/CA$275.79/CHF179.99/SEK2,110.71/DKK1,395.41/NOK2,160.71/ISK27,827/ARS173,318.41/CLP191,133/PEN751.49/NZ$334.35/ZAR3,821.05/PLN805.25/R$1,016.87/CZK4,703.93/RSD21,930/HUF73,509.32/RUB18,850.50/CN¥1,457.28 per night Carrock Sunset camping pod (hot tub) 2 x From £160/€187.12/A$310.28/US$203.72/CA$275.79/CHF179.99/SEK2,110.71/DKK1,395.41/NOK2,160.71/ISK27,827/ARS173,318.41/CLP191,133/PEN751.49/NZ$334.35/ZAR3,821.05/PLN805.25/R$1,016.87/CZK4,703.93/RSD21,930/HUF73,509.32/RUB18,850.50/CN¥1,457.28 per night Carrock View camping pod (hot tub) 2 x From £160/€187.12/A$310.28/US$203.72/CA$275.79/CHF179.99/SEK2,110.71/DKK1,395.41/NOK2,160.71/ISK27,827/ARS173,318.41/CLP191,133/PEN751.49/NZ$334.35/ZAR3,821.05/PLN805.25/R$1,016.87/CZK4,703.93/RSD21,930/HUF73,509.32/RUB18,850.50/CN¥1,457.28 per night -
1/132
- Luxurious yurts in the Lake District, 20 minutes' drive from Keswick
- Peaceful field on the edge of a farm 10 mins' drive from Cockermouth
- Bedding, woodburner and fully-equipped kitchen in each yurt
Shepherd's hut (no pets) 2 x From £82.50/€96.48/A$159.99/US$105.05/CA$142.21/CHF92.81/SEK1,088.33/DKK719.51/NOK1,114.12/ISK14,348/ARS89,367.30/CLP98,553/PEN387.49/NZ$172.40/ZAR1,970.23/PLN415.21/R$524.32/CZK2,425.46/RSD11,308/HUF37,903.24/RUB9,719.79/CN¥751.41 per night Yurt 4 x From £82.50/€96.48/A$159.99/US$105.05/CA$142.21/CHF92.81/SEK1,088.33/DKK719.51/NOK1,114.12/ISK14,348/ARS89,367.30/CLP98,553/PEN387.49/NZ$172.40/ZAR1,970.23/PLN415.21/R$524.32/CZK2,425.46/RSD11,308/HUF37,903.24/RUB9,719.79/CN¥751.41 per night -
1/15
- Family-owned holiday park with spectacular Lake District fells views
- Bassenthwaite Lake 15 minutes’ drive; Grasmere 40 minutes
- Luxury accommodation with a dog park, herb garden and tourist info
Elite 2 bedroom static caravan 4 x From £441/€515.75/A$855.21/US$561.52/CA$760.15/CHF496.09/SEK5,817.64/DKK3,846.09/NOK5,955.45/ISK76,697/ARS477,708.87/CLP526,810/PEN2,071.30/NZ$921.55/ZAR10,531.76/PLN2,219.47/R$2,802.75/CZK12,965.19/RSD60,444/HUF202,610.05/RUB51,956.68/CN¥4,016.63 per 2 nights -
1/17
- Luxury glamping pods on the edge of the Lake District, Cumbria
- Cockermouth five minutes’ drive; Bassenthwaite Lake 10 minutes
- Fully equipped kitchenette; private hot tub; shooting and horse riding
Camping pod (deluxe) 4 x From £150/€175.43/A$290.89/US$190.99/CA$258.55/CHF168.74/SEK1,978.79/DKK1,308.19/NOK2,025.66/ISK26,088/ARS162,486.01/CLP179,187/PEN704.52/NZ$313.45/ZAR3,582.23/PLN754.92/R$953.32/CZK4,409.93/RSD20,559/HUF68,914.98/RUB17,672.34/CN¥1,366.20 per night -
1/159
- Peaceful touring pitches on a family-run working farm with great views
- Bassenthwaite, Ullswater and Helvellyn within a half-hour drive
- By the C2C cycle trail; 10 minutes' walk from a village shop and pub
Non-electric grass tent pitch (family) unlimited x From £30/€35.09/A$58.18/US$38.20/CA$51.71/CHF33.75/SEK395.76/DKK261.64/NOK405.13/ISK5,218/ARS32,497.20/CLP35,837/PEN140.90/NZ$62.69/ZAR716.45/PLN150.98/R$190.66/CZK881.99/RSD4,112/HUF13,783/RUB3,534.47/CN¥273.24 per night Fully-serviced grass touring pitch unlimited x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night Fully-serviced gravel and hardstanding touring pitch unlimited x From £35/€40.93/A$67.87/US$44.56/CA$60.33/CHF39.37/SEK461.72/DKK305.25/NOK472.65/ISK6,087/ARS37,913.40/CLP41,810/PEN164.39/NZ$73.14/ZAR835.85/PLN176.15/R$222.44/CZK1,028.98/RSD4,797/HUF16,080.16/RUB4,123.55/CN¥318.78 per night -
1/387
- Spacious family park with spectacular views of Lake District fells
- Penrith a 20-minute drive and Lake Ullswater within a 30-minute walk
- Marina, licensed bar with TV and a games room, shop and playground
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £25.50/€29.82/A$49.45/US$32.47/CA$43.95/CHF28.69/SEK336.39/DKK222.39/NOK344.36/ISK4,435/ARS27,622.62/CLP30,462/PEN119.77/NZ$53.29/ZAR608.98/PLN128.34/R$162.06/CZK749.69/RSD3,495/HUF11,715.55/RUB3,004.30/CN¥232.25 per night Fully-serviced gravel touring pitch 5 x From £30/€35.09/A$58.18/US$38.20/CA$51.71/CHF33.75/SEK395.76/DKK261.64/NOK405.13/ISK5,218/ARS32,497.20/CLP35,837/PEN140.90/NZ$62.69/ZAR716.45/PLN150.98/R$190.66/CZK881.99/RSD4,112/HUF13,783/RUB3,534.47/CN¥273.24 per night Fully-serviced gravel touring pitch (large, twin axle) 5 x From £30/€35.09/A$58.18/US$38.20/CA$51.71/CHF33.75/SEK395.76/DKK261.64/NOK405.13/ISK5,218/ARS32,497.20/CLP35,837/PEN140.90/NZ$62.69/ZAR716.45/PLN150.98/R$190.66/CZK881.99/RSD4,112/HUF13,783/RUB3,534.47/CN¥273.24 per night The Honeybee camping pod (no pets) 2 x From £130/€152.04/A$252.10/US$165.53/CA$224.08/CHF146.24/SEK1,714.95/DKK1,133.77/NOK1,755.58/ISK22,609/ARS140,821.21/CLP155,296/PEN610.59/NZ$271.66/ZAR3,104.60/PLN654.27/R$826.21/CZK3,821.94/RSD17,818/HUF59,726.32/RUB15,316.03/CN¥1,184.04 per night -
1/170
- Luxury pods on a working farm with stunning Lake District views
- A five-minute drive from Cockermouth and 10 from Wordsworth House
- Units have kitchens, double beds, shower rooms and seating space
Camping pod 4 x From £90/€105.26/A$174.53/US$114.60/CA$155.13/CHF101.24/SEK1,187.27/DKK784.92/NOK1,215.40/ISK15,653/ARS97,491.61/CLP107,512/PEN422.71/NZ$188.07/ZAR2,149.34/PLN452.95/R$571.99/CZK2,645.96/RSD12,336/HUF41,348.99/RUB10,603.40/CN¥819.72 per night Camping pod (bunk beds) 5 x From £90/€105.26/A$174.53/US$114.60/CA$155.13/CHF101.24/SEK1,187.27/DKK784.92/NOK1,215.40/ISK15,653/ARS97,491.61/CLP107,512/PEN422.71/NZ$188.07/ZAR2,149.34/PLN452.95/R$571.99/CZK2,645.96/RSD12,336/HUF41,348.99/RUB10,603.40/CN¥819.72 per night -
1/233
- Quiet site on the outskirts of the Lake District National Park
- Right on the Cumbria Way at the edge of a forest and Caldbeck village
- Carlisle, Penrith and Keswick all within 35 minutes’ drive
Electric optional grass tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £16/€18.71/A$31.03/US$20.37/CA$27.58/CHF18/SEK211.07/DKK139.54/NOK216.07/ISK2,783/ARS17,331.84/CLP19,113/PEN75.15/NZ$33.43/ZAR382.10/PLN80.53/R$101.69/CZK470.39/RSD2,193/HUF7,350.93/RUB1,885.05/CN¥145.73 per night Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £16/€18.71/A$31.03/US$20.37/CA$27.58/CHF18/SEK211.07/DKK139.54/NOK216.07/ISK2,783/ARS17,331.84/CLP19,113/PEN75.15/NZ$33.43/ZAR382.10/PLN80.53/R$101.69/CZK470.39/RSD2,193/HUF7,350.93/RUB1,885.05/CN¥145.73 per night -
1/659
- Remote location but with easy access to the Lake District and Cumbria
- In a walker's paradise in the Dovedale Valley
- Modern facilities and well-stocked shop
Non-electric grass tent pitch 6 x From £21.85/€25.55/A$42.37/US$27.82/CA$37.66/CHF24.58/SEK288.24/DKK190.56/NOK295.07/ISK3,800/ARS23,668.80/CLP26,102/PEN102.63/NZ$45.66/ZAR521.81/PLN109.97/R$138.87/CZK642.38/RSD2,995/HUF10,038.62/RUB2,574.27/CN¥199.01 per night
Why visit Keswick?
Lakeside vistas
Start your Keswick adventure by familiarising yourself with the landscape around the town’s very own lake, Derwentwater. At Friars Crag, a lone wooden bench is strategically positioned to give you a spectacular view of the lake with the Cumbrian Mountains and the Jaws of Borrowdale in the distance. As you continue south along the shore, you’ll come upon the centuries-old stone Ashness Bridge and patches of dense woodlands inhabited by red squirrels. It’s also worth taking the occasional detour to hilltop observation points like the appropriately named Surprise View.
Watersports galore
Stay on the lake for a whole raft of active pursuits, from swimming in a sheltered cove and diving off the various launch jetties to assorted watersports. At Derwent Water Marina, you can hire a canoe, rowing boat or paddleboard to explore the lake and its four islands, which include Rampsholme, known for its abundance of wild garlic. If you’d rather take it easy, sail around Derwentwater on a cruise boat, hopping at any of the jetties to continue your exploration on foot if you like. Finally, there’s coarse fishing for trout, perch and pike on the lake, as well as fly-fishing on the River Derwent – just be sure to get your permits sorted before casting your line.
Fell walks
Follow in the footsteps of local hero and renowned walker Alfred Wainwright and go hiking in the fells, starting with Latrigg, a fairly gentle hill just outside Keswick. Be warned: when you get to the top, you might well get a taste for ‘peak bagging’ and soon be looking forward to conquering another summit. If you’re here as a family, opt for other accessible peaks like Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell (both east of Derwentwater); if you want to challenge yourself, have a go at Bowfell, with its boulders and glacial lakes, or take on Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England, with several routes of varying difficulty.
Literary pilgrimages
The spectacular landscape of the Lake District has long inspired poets and writers. In the early 1800s, several Romantic poets spent time here, but the one most closely associated with the area is William Wordsworth. You can visit his childhood home (a Georgian townhouse with period furnishings) in Cockermouth, head to Dove Cottage in Grasmere, where he composed many of his famed verses, or stroll around the five-acre garden at Rydal Mount, where Wordsworth lived until his death. Another author linked to the Lake District is Beatrix Potter, whose Hill Top farmhouse is a five-minute drive from Windermere.
Essential things to do in Keswick
-
Get the lowdown on the humble pencil and the mineral graphite, which was mined at nearby Seathwaite, at Keswick’s Derwent Pencil Museum
-
Climb the metal stairs to the top of the massive Bowder Stone, which is balanced firmly (but inexplicably) in a forested setting
-
Catch a performance at the Theatre by the Lake; if you can, get there early to sip a drink on the waterfront terrace
-
Shop for artisanal cheeses and local crafts at Keswick’s twice-weekly market
-
Walk or cycle along the 10-kilometre Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail, which includes bridges on the River Greta and the refurbished Bobbin Mill tunnel
-
Check out Castlerigg Stone Circle, built in the Neolithic era and one of the earliest examples of this type of structure
-
Embrace extreme sports at Honister, a working slate mine that also has adventures such as a via ferrata climbing route, canyoning and ziplines
Unexplored Keswick
Dark skies
The area south of Derwentwater is renowned for its extremely low levels of light pollution and excellent stargazing possibilities. Places like the Borrowdale Valley and Wast Water lake, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, are prime dark-sky spots, so wrap up warm and grab your front-row seat for constellations like Orion and the Plough, as well as the Milky Way. Our guide to dark sky camping has lots of useful advice on finding the best stargazing.
Chasing waterfalls
In addition to the scenic bodies of water after which it is named, the Lake District is also dotted with waterfalls. Close to the southern tip of Derwentwater, Lodore Falls (immortalised by Romantic poet Robert Southey in 1820) tumbles down through moss-covered boulder stones, while Galleny Force (also known as Fairy Glen) feeds natural pools that are popular for summer dips. For something more dramatic, make your way to Aira Force, in lush wooded surrounds, or to Scale Force, a narrow waterfall with a huge drop set into a rocky gorge.
Wildlife spotting
Birdwatchers should make a beeline for Bassenthwaite Lake, where they might catch sight of an osprey grabbing fish right out of the water in the summer months, plus curlews, reed buntings and geese in the wetlands of Dubwath Silver Meadows, a lakeside reserve. Sitting quietly in one of the Celtic-style hides, you might also spy a roe deer or a red squirrel.
Here’s how
Chances are you’ll want to be well rested before bagging a peak or embarking on any of the outdoor activities around Keswick. It’s important, therefore, to find the right campsite where you can have a good night’s sleep. If the plan is to hike the Lake District fells with your dog by your side, you can consult this list of dog-friendly campsites; if you’re travelling with your significant other, check out these adults-only sites.
By choosing the amenities and facilities that are important to you in our tick-box filters, you can book the right Keswick accommodation for you – whether that's a campsite with fishing on its grounds or with a playground for the kids.
Some of our popular camping options in Keswick include:
Keswick campsites with electricity
Keswick campsites with a bar or club house
After exploring the area around Keswick and Derwentwater, why not extend your Lake District holiday and book a site near Ullswater or Windermere? Or maybe you’d prefer to move west, towards Morecambe and the Lancashire coast?