On the north shore of Derwentwater, the quintessentially Cumbrian town of Keswick is one of the oldest settlements in the Lake District and also one of the prettiest. In the heart of the national park, great mountains loom on all sides – Blencathra, Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike – and there are other places of interest too with Castlerigg Stone Circle, the vast Whinlatter Forest and the beautiful Borrowdale Valley all within easy reach. Whether you’re a canoe paddler, a peak bagger or simply want to explore sights including the town’s renowned Derwent Pencil Museum, a Keswick camping holiday will not disappoint.
Camping or glamping in Keswick puts you at the heart of the Lake District National Park. Base yourself here and you’ll be a short walk from the shores of Derwentwater with great fell walking just a short stomp away. It’s not far from England’s highest peaks, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw among them, so it’s the perfect base camp for those who want to conquer the heights. The town of Keswick is full of outdoors shops if you’ve forgotten any of your gear and there are plenty of places to fuel up too from quaint tea rooms to pubs with hearty grub for walkers. Its fantastic location has made it a hub for outdoorsy types and there are plenty of classic camping sites where you can pitch up in the shadow of the peaks and on the shores of the water. And while it is a great place for the self-sufficient camper, there are also plenty of incredible glamping sites where you can enjoy the great outdoors with a little more comfort as you bed down in a bell tent, yurt, shepherd’s hut or camping pod.
Walking, fell running, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing… the lakes and fells provide most of the entertainment in the Lake District and for the active there’s an unlimited amount to do. With 1,900 miles of footpaths and bridleways in the national park there’s a walking route to suit everyone and in Keswick you can set off on countless routes from an eight-mile flat walk around Derwentwater to an ambitious hike up 950-metre Skiddaw. If you prefer two wheels to two feet, there are excellent purpose-built mountain biking trails at Whinlatter Forest. And if you need a day of rest or are hoping for a more relaxing holiday amid the beautiful scenery, how about a cruise on Derwentwater? Or a visit to the famous Derwent Pencil Museum, home of the world’s first pencil, where you can find inspiration and tools to create your own work of art. For some of the best views in the area take a short drive or 30-minute walk to Castlerigg Stone Circle. Your campsite hosts will probably have insider tips on days out during your Keswick camping or Glamping Holiday and you can head to the visitor centre in the town’s Moot Hall or the Visit Keswick website for more.
On the north shore of Derwentwater, the Cumbrian town of Keswick is one of the oldest settlements in the Lake District. In the heart of the national park, mountains loom on all sides – Blencathra, Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike – while the lake itself and other areas of interest, such as Castlerigg Stone Circle and Whinlatter Forest, leave something for every kind of camper.