Keswick Tourist Information

The busy market town of Keswick nestles between the Siddaw Mountains and Derwentwater.

Following the discovery of graphite in the district in 1550, Keswick became the source of world's first graphite pencils.

The famous Derwent factory, established in 1832, still produces high quality fine art pencils. The Pencil Museum is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors get the chance to explore the facinating history of pencils and pencil making.

Writers and poets were attracted to Keswick from the late 18th century.

William and Dororthy Wordsworth stayed here, as did Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his brother-in-low, Robert Southey (the poet laureate).

The area's connection with these famous poets, and the well-known landscape painters, Turner and Constable, soon encouraged other visitors.

After the opening of a railway line to Keswick in 1865, the town became popular tourist destination. Today, tourism remains the major industry and the town offers a wealth of outdoor activities and a busy programme of festivals and events.

The Moot Hall in the marketplace, once the town hall, is now used as the local tourist information office.

A highlight of the town's attractions is the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery. This Victorian museum opened in 1898 and, apart from the introduction of electric lighting and heating, has remained unchanged ever since.

Not far from Keswick is the Whinlatter Forest Park. Owned by the Forestry Commission, this forest overlooks Bassenthwaite Lake and the Lorton Valley and provides a range of year round activities.

Keswick lies in the North Lakes, a dramatic glaciated landscape, in the Lake District.

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