Keswick
a potted history
Keswick is a superbly situated town, nestling at the foot of Skiddaw on one side and with the shore of Lake Derwentwater on the other Keswick is almost entirely surrounded by fells. Made prosperous by the German miners imported by Elizabeth I to mine lead, silver and copper, some of the workings and spoil heaps can still be seen at the Grange end of Derwentwater. Also in the nearby valley of Borrowdale Graphite was discovered and this gave birth to the Cumberland Pencil Mill whose products made Keswick famous the world over. Nowadays Keswick's mainstay is the tourism industry and can get very busy but as you would expect from a tourism town there is lots of places to eat and drink!
places of interest
Cars of the Stars - museum of celebrity TV. and film vehicles.
Keswick launch - give your legs a rest and enjoy a well earned cruise around Lake Derwentwater.
The Puzzling Place - Puzzled? You will be! Anti Gravity room, Holograms, optical illusions & more!
Keswick Museum and Art Gallery - The Lake Districts only purpose built Victorian Museum, covering archaeology, local history, literary material and a temporary exhibition programme.
Theatre by the Lake - a brand new 400 seat venue offering excellent theatre and shows.
Cumberland Pencil Mill - learn about the history of pencil making & see the worlds largest pencil !
The Alhambra Cinema - St.Johns Street tel: 017687 72195 - Keswicks very own cinema offering both up to date programming and a film club every Sunday evening between March and October
Castlerigg Stone Circle - Thought to date from 3000 B.C. and set in a truly magnificent setting, surrounded by hills it is a bit of a slog up here but believe me the view is absolutely stunning.
cycle shops
Keswick Mountain Bikes - Southey Hill, Keswick Tel:017687 75202
Keswick Riding and Cycle Hire Centre - Cycle Hire plus minor spares and repairs.
Based at High Hill just off the B5289 on the C2C route heading into Keswick or Glaramara Guest House, Acorn Street. tel : 017687 73216/75255 mobile : 07711 763 019 fax : 017687 73216
e-mail : keswick.9glaramara@virgin.net
eating places
The Lakeland Pedlar - A wholefood, vegetarian cafe and bike shop combined Bell Close, Keswick.
The Cornish Pastie - 3, Lake Road, Keswick.
Large selection of traditional hot & cold Cornish Pasties. Recommended by J. Swannack
Maysons Restaurant and Cafe - an excellent cafe just down from Fishers outdoor
shop. The homemade soup is amazing! 33, Lake Road, Keswick Recommended by me and Lou!
route features
From Keswick you can either take the scenic route, a lovely cycle path -parts of which have recently been upgraded in 2000- following the route of the old Keswick to Penrith railway line and which also follows the River Greta until Threlkeld from where you follow quiet country lanes (and a stretch of cycle path adjacent to the main road) under the shadow of Blencathra -or Saddleback as it is also known- till you reach the village of Greystoke.
Alternatively the more adventurous and fitter of you can opt for the alternative route past Castlerigg stone circle and then up (and up!) onto Threlkeld common via the Old Coach Road. This route is legendary amongst C2C'ers for its ruggedness and isolation, it is set on a rough uphill track and can get wet, wild and windy but the views are superb - when the mist has lifted! Be absolutely certain of your capabilities before attempting this section as it is very inhospitable in bad weather and will test even the fittest of you.
Accommodation
Run by: Powe House
Elegant Georgian house recently and lovingly restored. Bedrooms fully en-suite with LCD screens. All food is locally sourced and there is a solid and secure bike lock-up. Close to the well known Farmers Arms gastropub.
Web : www.powehouse.com
Email : andrewandhelen@powehouse.com
Rooms : 5D (3 of which can become twins) plus 1S
B&B : from £32
Packed lunch : from £4
VisitBritain 4-stars Silver Award : On route
Run by: The Mount
Friendly, family run and comfortable B&B in quiet setting. En-suite rooms. Splendid lake/fell views. Excellent breakfasts with vegetarian option. The Mount has been a firm cyclists' favourite for more than a decade.
Web : www.mountkeswick.co.uk
Email : mount.keswick@btinternet.com
Rooms : 1S,3D,1T.
B&B : £34
Packed Lunch : £6
Distance from C2C : On route
Pub 200m : Secure cycle storage
Run by: Denton House
Budget accommodation run by Cedric and Rebecca. This is a big, friendly outdoor hostel, full of youngsters and the not so young. Lots of fun and cheerful. Group bookings welcome by arrangement. Inside storage for bikes.
Web : www.vividevents.co.uk
Email : sales@vividevents.co.uk
Rooms : 8 containing 58 bunk beds
B&B : £13 during week. £14 weekends. Breakfast for groups of 10 or more: £3.
Packed lunch : £5 (groups only)
Evening meal : From £5 (groups only)
Pub 200m : On route
Run by: The Queens Hotel
Right in the centre of town on the market square, and a hub of the action since being rebuilt in 1826, the Queens offers high standards of comfort and service and has 35 en-suite guest rooms. There is a secure lock-up for bikes and everything a tired cyclist could need. Recently and stylishly refurbished, there is an open fire in the bar.
Web : www.queenshotel.co.uk
Email : info@queenshotel.co.uk
Rooms : 5S, 12T/F, 18D
B&B : from £40 (special deals available)
Evening Meal : Bar meals - main courses £6-£8
Packed Lunch : By arrangement
Fully licensed :
Run by: Beckside
Recently taken over by Tracy and Andrew, the fine cycling traditions have been maintained right down to the killer breakfast (optional). The parting fry-up has been described as all-embracing - you will soon be murdering these calories. Rooms en-suite, secure bike storage.
Web : www.beckside-keswick.co.uk
Email : info@beckside-keswick.co.uk
Rooms : 2D, 1T/F
B&B : £30
PL : On request - prior notice
VisitBritain : 4-stars
Run by: Springs Farm
Comfortable accommodation in a large 19th century farmhouse at the foot of Walla Crag. This is a working dairy farm offering quality accommodation in an idyllic location. It is a 10 minute walk into town. This has been home to the Hutton family since 1924 and remains an entirely family operated business to this day. There is a pretty courtyard with ample parking. To the rear is a large orchard with apple, pear and plum trees, where free-range hens lay your breakfast eggs. And now there's a satellite TV, too. There are also two cottages sleeping 6 and 2 available for rent.
Mob : 07816 824253
Web : www.springsfarmcumbria.co.uk
Email : info@springsfarmcumbria.co.uk
Rooms : 2D, 1T
B&B : £34-£36
Nearest pub : 1 mille to town centre
VisitBritain : 3 star accommodation, 4 star cottages
Run by: Honister House
"A warm welcome awaits you at our 18th century home in the centre of Keswick. Cyclists, walkers and families welcome. Drying room and storage. Award-winning breakfasts. Vegetarian options. Brochure available. One night occupation often available."
Web : www.honisterhouse.co.uk
Email : honisterhouse@btconnect.com
Rooms : 1D, 1T, 1F
B&B : £35 - £37.50
PL : £4
AA 4-stars & AA Breakfast Award : Pub 1 minute
Run by: Cranford House
Tasteful, doily-free, cycle friendly and comfortable stop-off. Just a couple of minutes from the town centre. Drying facilities and secure storage.
Web : www.cranfordhouse.co.uk
Email : carolcranfordhouse@tiscali.co.uk
Rooms : 2S, 3T/D,1D
B&B : £27-£30
Packed lunch : £5
Run by: Twa Dogs Inn
"Traditional family run concern with an atmosphere as warm as the welcome. Open fires, dominoes, darts & pool in a proper pub. Lock-up for bikes and a range of real ales for their owners."
:
Web : www.twadogs.co.uk
Rooms : 1T, 1F (3S & 1D), 3D. (E-S).
B&B : £30pp. Kids negotiable
EM : From £7.95
PL : £5
Distance from C2C : Just above the railway line coming out of Keswick