Keswick Through the Ages: A Northern Lake District Walking Tour

Picturesque Keswick is the northern Lake District’s focal point and counts mighty Skiddaw Mountain and majestic Derwent Water as its neighbours. The historic market town struck it rich with local mining, including the graphite that for a time made Keswick the world’s pencil capital. The Lake Poets were inspired by its beauty and made the town fashionable before the Victorians arrived by train and left their indelible stamp.

On this walking tour, you’ll travel through the historical periods that define the town we see today.

The tour starts at the Moot Hall in the medieval marketplace and heads towards the historic Greta Bridge area and the famous Pencil Museum. Nearby, you’ll catch a glimpse of Greta Hall, the literary shrine where the Lake Poets frequented, including William Wordsworth. At Fitz Park you’ll walk alongside the River Greta towards the old railway station with its eerie platform, waiting for the next train that never comes.

The tour ends at the fabulous Friars Crag viewpoint, which might just be the best low-level view in the Lake District.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Learn about the famous local vicar Hardwicke Rawnsley, and why he was known as ‘Defender of the Lakes’
• Hear how the attractive River Greta has helped transform the town and also cause much devastation over the centuries
• Discover why smuggling was once big business in the town and learn the origins of the phrase, the “black market”
• Follow pedestrianised Lake Road into Hope Park, a floral delight when in season
• Take in fabulous views of majestic Derwent Water and learn how the area inspired a young Beatrix Potter on her family holidays
• Discover the fascinating history of the lake islands and the characters that lived on them, including ‘King Pocky’, a wealthy eccentric who staged mock battles at his small fort
• Enjoy scenic Crow Park, where I’ll show you the stone plaque unveiled by Prince Charles in 2018
• Hear how the area achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017, and learn about the United Nations’ selection criteria

This walking tour takes roughly 90 minutes to complete. There are several short stops along the way where I’ll tell you more about the area and its attractions. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars along the route for refreshments.

Please note that attraction entry fees aren’t included in the price of this tour.