North England's Lake District and Durham – Rick Steves' Europe TV Show Episode Honister Slate Mine England’s last still-functioning slate mine stands at the summit of Honister Pass. The mine offers worthwhile tours (perfect for when it’s pouring outside): You’ll put on a hard hat, load onto a bus for a short climb, then hike into a shaft to learn about the region’s slate industry. It’s a long, stooped hike into the mountain, made interesting by the guide and punctuated by the sound of your helmet scraping against low bits of the shaft. Standing deep in the mountain, surrounded by slate scrap and the beams of 30 headlamps fluttering around like fireflies, you’ll learn of the hardships of miners’ lives and how “green gold” is trendy once again, making the mine viable. Even if you don’t have time to take the tour, stop here for its slate-filled shop. Castlerigg Stone Circle For some reason, 70 percent of England’s stone circles are here in Cumbria. Castlerigg is one of the best and oldest in Britain, and an easy stop for drivers.

The circle — 90 feet across and 5,000 years old — has 38 stones mysteriously laid out on a line between the two tallest peaks on the horizon. They served as a celestial calendar for ritual celebrations. Script See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. This time we're getting to know the locals like never before...we’re in the North of England. Thanks for joining us. Northern England is a lush land steeped in a rich blend of history, culture, and nature. Traveling here, I'm struck by how man and nature seem to co-exist in harmony...and how richly rewarding a visit can be. We'll hike along an ancient Roman wall, play a little cricket, and be dazzled in a Norman cathedral. We'll meet the locals — and their beloved dogs, and sheep...everywhere. Donning hard hats, we'll tour an old slate mine. And, of course, we'll enjoy the countless hikes — admiring lakes, discovering waterfalls, and conquering stoney summits. Great Britain is dominated by England.

In the north of England, we'll visit Durham, Hadrian's Wall and the Cumbrian Lakes District. We'll focus on the less touristy northern lakes — home basing in Keswick. The Cumbrian Lake District — just 30 miles by 30 miles — is England's green, pristine, mountain playground. While not impressive in sheer height — England's highest peak is just 3,200 feet — it's long been a powerful magnet for nature lovers. The charm of this area is, in part, the range of experiences it provides. Stumble upon a surprise lake view. Then climb over a rock fence to look into the eyes of a ragamuffin sheep. Find the perfect farmhouse B&B. Then enjoy this Packhorse Bridge. And for a memorable lunch, summit your own private peak for a picnic. This region gives even tenderfeet a chance to feel rugged and outdoorsy. Here in the Lake District, William Words¬worth’s poems still ripple on the ponds. This is a land where nature rules and humanity keeps a low profile. For two centuries, this region has inspired visitors to relax, recharge, get some exercise, and maybe even write a poem. The Lake District is green for good reason.

It rains a lot. Experienced English hikers dress smart and don't let blustery weather keep them in. It‘s rainy one moment and then suddenly gorgeous. As locals love to say, "There's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing." The town of Keswick is your best home base for exploring the northern lakes — which I prefer to the more commercial southern part of the region. Keswick was originally a mining center. But the slate and lead industries eventually gave way to nature-loving tourists and, in the 19th century, Keswick became a resort. Its fine old buildings recall those Romantic-era days when big city folks first learned about “communing with nature.” Today, the town is well-stocked with hiking-gear shops...and pubs. The Lake District is popular with English holiday-makers who prefer to bring their beloved dogs with them on vacation. Keswick's town square can look like a canine convention, and in local pubs, dogs are more than welcome. And we picked up a tip at the pub — a sheepdog trial and hound show is on today and it's just down the valley. Farm culture is still alive and well in these fertile hills.

From gritty shepherds to gentleman farmers to curious tourists, there’s something for everyone. While lots of fun and plenty entertaining, competitions like these have practical roots. They go back to a time when agility and hunting instincts made a hound truly man's best friend. According to the program: a good Fell Foxhound must have: good shoulders, long neck, level back, and agile hind legs to jump stone walls. The scene itself offers a fascinating glimpse into this culture — from shepherd's crooks to tailgate party dog talk. And the main event, as explained to us by a local aficionado, is the shepherd and his dog bringing in the sheep as quickly as possible. Farmer: The shepherd goes out, he’s given a position where he stands by the post and he has to direct his dog out on the right or the left the side is immaterial. Dogs, you can work with them half a mile away.

They’ll pick the sound up, they’ll hear you and they can work half a mile away collecting sheep, putting them together, putting them into a flock and bringing them in as near a straight line as possible down through the course, through the hurdles there, back to the pen, hopefully nice pen, straight in, no breaks and the applause… Working a border collie is like marriage — it’s got to click, you must have confidence in one another. The dog will have confidence in you if you’ve got confidence in him. It’s as beautiful as that and it’s lovely to work with him. Keswick has plenty of good B&Bs. We're staying at Howe Keld, which has the polished feel of a boutique hotel, but offers all the warmth and friendliness of a B&B. Its contemporary rooms are tastefully furnished in native woods and slate. Its breakfast is first class — I'm getting the traditional Cumbrian fry — complete with local sausage. And the lounge offers a cozy and enjoyable place to relax and prepare for your day's activities. Good B&B hosts loan maps and offer plenty of hiking advice.

Just down the street is Keswick’s petite marina where we're combining a short cruise with my favorite Lake District hike — up a dramatic nearby ridge. Derwentwater is one of Cumbia’s most photographed and popular lakes. Boats circle the lake picking up and dropping off walkers at peaceful landings all along the way. From the dock a trail leads up along a ridge called Catbells. The steep climb both burns off that Cumbrian fried breakfast and offers some commanding views. Vigorous hikes like this are one of many reasons the Lake District is such a hit with English holiday goers. This little adventure just takes a couple hours and it rewards anyone who tackles it with a trip highlight. Get out and make these experiences happen. For the rest of your life you'll remember, in this case, scaling Catbells with its thrilling “king of the mountain” climax. After our descent, we catch the boat at the next landing, and finish our relaxing cruise around Derwentwater. The Pheasant Inn is a Keswick favorite, and David and Val, who run our B&B are joining us for dinner. As anywhere in Britain, a good pub comes with charming conviviality. Kids are welcome.

And, once again, in Cumbrian pubs, man's best friend is perfectly welcome too. The menu offers Lake District pub classics. David's having trout, and I'm going for the rump o’ lamb. Rick: My image of pub grub in the old days was pretty bad. David: No, pubs have taken a lot more interest in food now. They’re not just the drinking destinations; they have to sell food in order to attract people in. Rick: And they’re smoke-free. Val: That’s a great improvement since the smoking ban came in. It’s much more pleasant to eat now. A short drive south from Keswick takes us through the very countryside that inspired England’s great Romantic poets. The greatest of those was William Wordsworth who lived here, in Dove Cottage. Wordsworth spent his most productive years — 1799 to 1808 — in this humble stone house. This is where he married, had kids, and wrote much of his best poetry. In these cramped and simple quarters, Woodsworth practiced his philosophy of plain living and high thinking. The adjacent museum displays original writings, sketches, and personal items that give another peek into the life and world of the poet.

His well-stamped passport and his well-worn little suitcase are proof he packed light and traveled far and wide. Notebook in hand, he wandered across England and through Europe on what would become the Romantic grand tour. Until then, almost nobody climbed a mountain just because it was there — but Wordsworth did. He’d wander “lonely as a cloud” through the countryside, finding inspiration lost in the awe-inspiring immensity of nature. If appreciating nature became a religion in 19th century England, Wordsworth was its prophet. With the advent of the industrial age, machines were taming nature and factory hours were taming free spirits. The Romantic movement — led by artists and writers like Wordsworth — was a reaction against this. Romanticism celebrated nature...making it almost a religion. People came here as if on a pilgrimage. And, like the poets, after communing with nature... they'd be inspired and reflect on the meaning of life. While Wordsworth would likely be appalled at the speedy convenience of it all, drivers can enjoy car touring. From Keswick, a scenic 20 mile loop south reveals the essence of Lake District charms. Newlands Valley is a majestic place.

If it had a lake, it would be packed with tourists. But it doesn’t — and it isn’t. The valley is dotted with old, family-run farms. With tough times for small farms, most of the wives supplement the family income by running B&Bs. Many farms in the valley rent rooms. I've been recommending the Keskadale farm in my Britain guidebook for over twenty years. Margaret Harryman's welcome is as warm as ever and staying in her B&B, there's no doubt, you really are on a working farm. Their son, Sean, will some day run the farm. One thing he's already in charge of is shearing the sheep. Each of their 1500 sheep need to be sheared each summer. Rick: Why do you have to shear the sheep? Margaret: Well, for husbandry reasons and for the welfare of the sheep and they’re sheared when it’s warm weather and it’s a great releif for the sheep to be sheared. But the fleeces are no longer the money-maker they once were. In fact, recently, prices were so low farmers here just burned the wool.

Today, with new uses for this natural fiber, wool prices are higher so Sean and his dad collect the fleeces into bales. Rick: Does it hurt the sheep? Margaret: No, no, no, it’s very therapeutic, it just glides by the skin so it doesn’t hurt them at all. Therapeutic? When car touring, make a point to stop and get out. From the Newlands Pass summit, take a rewarding little walk to a frisky waterfall. From here, the road descends, winding scenically past a farm hamlet and to delightful Buttermere — with its popular lakeside trail. Our loop then climbs rugged Honnister Pass — with its wild and weather-beaten charm. At the summit stands the Honister Slate Mine. England’s last still-functioning slate mine offers tours. You'll put on a hard hat …. load onto a bus for a short climb…. then learn about the region's slate industry from an enthusiastic guide. Guide: What we describe that rock as is green gold. It’s called green gold, because it represents today, the finest roofing slate in the world. It is the number one, the Rolls Royce of slate.

On that rock on the far side as we looked when we were down below there are little stone huts that the miners used to live because what we have to remember here is pre-first world war through the history of mining; if you worked here, you lived here. Right this way, folks…. Narrow shafts lead deep into the evocative Victorian mine. You’ll be thankful for your helmet … standing inside the mountain, surrounded by slate scrap and the beams of a dozen headlamps, you'll learn the back-story of the stone that roofs so much of England. Guide: Imagine you’re eight or ten years old working underground for ten to fourteen hours a day and your job was to assist your father and your elder brothers in drilling the rock. I think you’re going to get the hang of this very quickly, folks, because you can imagine there’s somebody at the end of this one with a large sledgehammer and each time you… I don’t know about you, but a tour like that makes me glad I work, and live above ground in the 21st century. Rick: “Freedom…” Completing our loop, we pass humble hamlets and the lush Borrowdale Valley — always open for serendipity.

Coming upon an inviting gathering, we pull over and find ourselves at a cricket match — complete with Cumbrian sausage on the grill and a keg of the local brew. The gang gathered here bragged their field was named England's most beautiful cricket pitch — and I can see why. And this gave me yet another chance to understand this bewildering national pastime. Rick: So the pitcher is called a bowler. Cricket watcher: Yes, he is. Rick: Are you a bowler, our pitcher’s a bowler. And what do you call your batter? Cricket watcher: The batter. Rick: Alright. So now is that a point? Cricket watcher: That’s a fall. Fall runs. If he hits it over the boundary which is the white line in front of us here, he gets fall. Rick: You know, I’m still confused. I’m still confused. But I’m less confused than I was a few minutes ago. Cricket watcher: Good. Right. Well if anybody can confuse anybody I can. Rick: Well, you’re doing a good job. These valleys have sustained communities here for longer than you might imagine. Just outside of Keswick stands the Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Like a mini-Stonehenge drenched in Lake District beauty, it was built over 4,000 years ago to function as a celestial calendar. Imagine ancient people filling this clearing in spring to celebrate fertility, in late summer for the harvest, and in winter for the solstice. Festival dates were dictated by how the sun rose and set in relation to these stones which were aligned with the surrounding peaks. For maximum goose pimples, as they say in England, be here after everyone's left and the mystical place is all yours. Leaving the Lake District, we drive east for more highlights of North England. The road parrallels my favorite ancient Roman sight in Britain. Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Hadrian nearly 2000 years ago. This is one of England’s most thought-provoking sights and much loved by hikers. This great stone wall stretched 73 miles from coast to coast across the narrowest part of northern England. This was more than just a wall. It was a cleverly designed military rampart manned by 20,000 troops. At every mile along the wall, a small fort guarded a gate. Its actual purpose is still debated.

The wall, which often takes advantage of natural contours in the land, likely defined the northern edge of the empire and helped defend Roman Britain to the south from pesky, hard-to-conquer barbarians to the north. Today's modern border between Scotland and England still runs pretty close to this ancient wall. A particularly well-preserved segment of the wall leads to Housesteads Roman Fort. Roman forts had a standard design: a rectangular shape containing a commander’s headquarters and barracks. There's little more than stone foundations remaining — these stones raised a floor to give stored grain ventilation and this was once a set of spartan barracks. Pondering these desolate ruins, I can imagine the bleakness of being a young Roman soldier stationed here 18 centuries ago. Driving further east we reach the city of Durham. With its famous cathedral, built by the Normans, it adds another layer to this region’s history. As their empire fell in the 5th century, the Romans abandoned Britain to the barbarians. After centuries of relative chaos, a central government was re-established by the Normans who invaded from France in 1066.

Along with stability and a capable rule, Normans brought with them the prevailing European style of architecture, Romanesque. Here in England, the style was named for the people who brought it — Norman. Before visiting the church and learning about Norman architecture, we'll get the lay of the land. A sharp bend in its river protected medieval Durham — providing a moat on three sides. Today the river seems to protect the city only from the modern world. From this riverside path — much enjoyed by residents for a peaceful little get-away — we can ponder the cathedral as approaching medieval pilgrims once did. The tangle of streets leading to the cathedral, while retaining its medieval atmosphere, is lively. The city hosts the country's third oldest university. Along with the student vibe, Durham also feels blue collar because of its historic connection with the mining industry. For nearly a thousand years, pilgrims have set their sights on this...the Durham Cathedral, standing like a mighty fortress. Built around the year 1100 to house the much venerated bones of the great missionary monk, St. Cuthbert, it offers perhaps England‘s best and purest look at Norman architecture.

The architecture is unusually harmonious because the church was completed in just 40 years and survives essentially unaltered. Round arches and zig-zag decorations are text book Norman style. Stroll down the nave to the center. Gaze up at one of the highest bell towers in Europe. When the Normans conquered the Saxons here in England back in the 11th century, they brought with them more than just their architecture. They brought a whole new order. And this mighty church, way up here in the North, was more than a place of worship and home for Cuthbert's bones. It was an unambiguous political statement to both the conquered Saxons and to the Scots further north. The Normans were here to stay. Grand medieval churches and the art that fills them are a reminder that monks like Cuthbert were the intellectual candles who helped keep scholarship flickering through the Dark Ages. Later, that knowledge strengthened the Church and made wonders like the Durham Cathedral possible. While this fresco of the saint dates from the 12th century, Cuthbert died way before that — in the year 687. The cathedral displays the saint's coffin and treasures that were buried with him.

This fine Saxon sash was embroidered with gold thread and silk. And this is the exquisit cross that this leader of the early Christian church in northern England wore. For a better understanding of the cathedral and its saint, we're joined by cannon Stephen Cherry. Rick: But the cathedral is called the Shrine to Cuthbert. What does that mean to you Stephen: It’s really remarkable that we have the body of the saint from so long ago in our custody here as it were. So what we do is I think we kind of bond with Cuthbert’s spirit. We bond with that deep sense of history and tradition that Cuthbert represented. He was a man of profound spirituality but also very serious human struggle. Being close to St. Cuthbert means for me getting closer to Jesus Christ because of understanding the way in which Jesus worked through the life of this man albeit he lived sovery many centuries ago... Rick: For 1000 years pastors and priests and ministers like you have been serving the needs of this community. That must be kind of an inspiration in itself. Stephen: It’s a very inspiring thing. You think of all those years, 500 years before the Reformation, when the mass was being celebrated.

Then a little hiatus and then the post-Reformation church, that too was saying the mass, it was celebrating holy communion, the daily offers here everyday and we’re still part of that. Rick: When you walk through the cathedral there’s a feeling that it’s vibrant and alive. Stephen: It absolutely is vibrant and alive. We’re completely committee to welcoming all who come. We’re entirely committed to engaging with the arts and celebrating the good things of life. That freshness of mission is integral to the life of the cathedral. As if to stress that point, the medieval Durham cathedral is enlivened with art from our generation and from its community. This window gives us a striking overhead view of the Last Supper. And this one celebrates the church's 1000th birthday with a sweep through local history and industry from mining to farming. I hope you've enjoyed our trip through Northern England — from the pristine Lake District, along Hadrian’s awe-inspiring wall, to Durham's magnificent cathedral. We've been inspired by England's fascinating past while enjoying its charming present. As we've seen here in the North of England, you don't need big cities for richly rewarding travel experiences. Thanks for joining us. I'm Rick Steves.

Until next time...keep on travelin'. Accommodation In Keswick, Lake District Visit North West > Keswick Keswick Keswick is a busy town in the Northern Lake District. In the 16th century the discovery of graphite in the area established the town as an important centre for manufacturing pencils. Today its economy is almost entirely devoted to tourism. Keswick is within easy reach of England’s highest mountains; Scafell Pike (3,209 feet), Sca Fell (3,162 feet), Helvellyn (3,117 feet), and Skiddaw (3,054 feet). Derwent Water lies just south of town and is the third biggest lake in the Lake District. Bassenthwaite Lake, just three miles north, occupies fourth position. Buttermere, Crummock Water, and Loweswater lie closely together to the west in the Vale of Lorton. Thirlmere , to the east, is a reservoir created to supply Manchester with water. Attractions Many consider Derwent Water one of the prettiest lakes in the Lake District. The easiest way to experience the spectacular scenery is to take a 50-minute cruise around the lake with Keswick Launch .

The main landing stage is at the bottom of Lake Road in Keswick but the boats calls at six more stops where passengers are free to hop off and on and explore the area. Popular walks in the area include circuits around Derwent Water and Buttermere. Both have paths around them that pretty much follow the shorelines. The circuit around Derwent Water is around nine miles while the route around Buttermere is approximately four miles. Walkers reaching the summit of Catbells are rewarded with a magnificent view of Derwent Water. Many start the trip from Hawes End, one of the stops served by the Keswick Launch. Latrigg is one of the lowest fells in the Lake District but offers great panoramas of Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake. It is easily reached from Keswick but the car park at the end of Gale Road offers even quicker access. Skiddaw can also be climbed from here. Visitors wishing to get onto the water themselves can hire motor boats, canoes, and kayaks from various operators around the lake. Options include the Keswick Launch, Derwent Water Marina , Platty Plus , and Nichol End Marine . The Theatre by the Lake enjoys a beautiful setting close to Derwent Water.

The repertory theatre produces up to nine plays a year, and also hosts concerts, films, and many of Keswick’s major festivals and events. Visitors can watch the latest movies at the town’s Alhambra Cinema . The Keswick Museum is a traditional Victorian museum with an eclectic collection of exhibits. Amongst the odd collection of curios on display is a 600 year old cat, a giant xylophone made with slate from Skiddaw, a penny farthing bicycle, and the writing desk of the Poet Laureate Robert Southey. It’s situated in Fitz Park, a grassy municipal park at the northern end of the town with a fantastic children’s playground, tennis courts, bowling green, putting green, and riverside walks. Hope Park is the other major park in Keswick. Situated on the way to Derwent Water it features ornamental gardens, plenty of seating, a pitch and putt golf course, putting course, and crazy obstacle golf course. After the discovery of graphite in the Borrowdale in the 16th century, Keswick became an important centre for pencil manufacturing. The Pencil Museum tells the story of how pencils are made and is also home to the world’s longest coloured pencil.

It also offers a children’s art studio, demonstrations and drawing workshops. Castlerigg Stone Circle is the most visited stone circle in Cumbria one of the earliest and most impressive in Britain. It stands on a remote plateau, with a fantastic 360 degree view of the surrounding fells. Bassenthwaite Lake is the only actual lake in the Lake District; the others are meres or waters. In 2001 the first wild ospreys to breed in the Lake District for more than 150 years set up home here and have returned every year since. There are two official viewpoints, both in Dodd Wood, and the birds normally arrive in March or April and leave in August or September. Mirehouse is a historic country house close to Dodd Wood that boasts impressive literary and artistic connections. It features an interesting collection of furniture and art, extensive gardens, nature trails, and woodland adventure playgrounds. Whinlatter Forest Park, between Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water Whinlatter is England’s only true mountain forest. It offers two mountain bike trails, and children’s adventure trail, numerous walks, and a café and visitor centre.

The Go Ape tree top adventure course is also here and features Tarzan swings, zip wires, rope bridges, and more. Trotters World of Animals , at the head of Bassenthwaite Lake, is a zoo with over 100 species. Handling of the animals is actively encouraged and there are also feeding programmes, birds of prey displays, a children’s play area, and a café. Holiday Cottages in Keswick and North Lakes | Page 1 View property Cottages in Keswick & The Northern Lakes. Choose from our handpicked collection of Keswick cottages and you will be close to beautiful Derwentwater, perfect for days out on the water or for a relaxing picnic in the park. Our holiday cottages in Keswick and the surrounding villages make great places in which to relax at the end of a busy day. With live theatre all year round, good cinema and plenty of pubs and restaurants you will be spoilt for choice with evening entertainment. In addition to our cottages in Keswick we also offer Lake District cottages throughout the northern villages from Lorton in the west to Mungrisedale in the east, all of which make for a delightful holiday.

From rich history in prehistoric monuments to stunning scenery with the lake and mountain panoramas, it’s easy to see why Keswick is such a favoured destination for those looking to book a Lake District holiday. Whether you are looking for a family friendly destination to visit during the summer holidays or a romantic place to have a short break away with your loved one, Keswick is full of activities and exciting things to see and do all year round. There is so much to do in the area you may not have enough time to fit everything in and many of our guests return to Keswick year after year. If you are looking for a luxury Lake District holiday cottage or a small cottage sleeping just two, we hope you can find your perfect Keswick accommodation in our collection. Our Locations Heart of the Lakes Head Office Fisherbeck Mill, Old Lake Road Ambleside, Cumbria OS Explorer map OL 4 English Lakes NW (Keswick, Cockermouth & Wigton) | Ordnance Survey Shop Delivery & Returns Map sheet number OL4 in the OS Explorer map series, The English Lakes: North-western area, is the ideal map for exploring the north-west area of the Lake District.

This area is home to many natural and man made attractions from oval hills shaped by glaciers to stunning views over majestic lakes. This map includes Crummock Water, Ennerdale Water, Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, Skiddaw, Pillar, Haystacks, Green Gable, Great Gable, Catbells, the Cumbrian Way, Braithwaite, Stonethwaite and Seathwaite, Maryport, Cockermouth, Keswick, and Buttermere. Follow the Allerdale Ramble, the Cumbrian Coastal Way or the Cumbrian Way, stopping off to take in a collection of spectacular sites and beautiful scenery, all carefully marked and easy to find on the map. Take a trip to the open air theatre in the grounds of Mirehouse, on the edge of beautiful Bassenthwaite Lake – a spot that inspired both Tennyson and Wordsworth. Admire the views of Derwent Water from atop Catbells fells if you’re more energetically inclined.

And if you’re looking for a challenge, standing at 3,054 ft above sea level, Skiddaw provides an easy in-road to mountain climbing, for occasional walkers looking to push their boundaries. With this map you will receive a code for use on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Find our more at Mobile Download FAQ . The OS Explorer map for The Lake District: North-western area is available in both the standard paper version and weatherproof 'Active' version. Planning to explore the Lake District or complete Wainright's Coast-to-Coast Walk? Save 20% Keswick Self Catering Holiday Parks, Cottages, Apartments Cumbria & The Lake District Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5RD From £170 - £415 4 Units sleep 2-4 Derwent House and Brandelhowe stone and slate buildings converted to four comfortable self catering holiday suites in the village of Portinscale. One mile west of Keswick on the northern shore of Derwentwater, homely holiday suites, well equipped with central heating, electric cooker, microwave, fridge, television, radio, video, DVD and music centre. Off-street parking.

Keswick offers travellers plenty of charming shops, from antiques to modern day fashion, along with a wide range of eating houses to suit all tastes. Brandelhowe on the ground floor has direct pavement access. Shire, Hunter, and Cob (first, second, and top floor respectively) are self contained, with their own private entrances and internal halls. Short breaks (+2 nights). It is our policy to maintain a high standard of self catering accommodation and to offer value for money. Tel: 01889 505678 Melbecks, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, CA12 4QX From £246 per week 35 Units sleep 1-8 Lakeland Cottage Holidays provide superb quality self-catering holiday accommodation in Cumbria and The Lake District with a particular emphasis on properties in Keswick, Ambleside and the surrounding areas. Properties range from quietly situated cottages, through converted barns, apartments and town house, to larger houses within there own grounds. All properties are tastefully decorated with gas, electric and linen. They also feature comfortable lounges with TV's. Fully fitted kitchens with ovens, microwaves and dishwashers.

A number of our Lake District cottages have open coal fires or log burning stoves. We have a growing number of cottages that offer free internet access via Wi-Fi. Dogs are allowed in some cottages. Off road parking available. The Lake District is an all-year round holiday destination, full of attractions and activities to suit all ages. Tel: 01768 776065 Thornthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5SA From £360 - £690 2 Units sleep 2-4 Croftlands Cottages are set in the peaceful village of Thornthwaite in the heart of the North Lakes, just a short drive from Keswick. Two VB 4 Star gold pet friendly self catering holiday cottages can also be rented out together for large groups parties etc. Squirrel Cottage sleeps 2 while Fox Cottage is ground floor level for ease of access and sleeps 4 and with a beautiful open plan living area. Both cottages are fully equipped to a high standard with private parking. Enjoy one of the many walking and cycling trails straight from the front door. Bike storage facilities for guests.

Short breaks available, minimum 3 nights November-March from £250 - £330. Tel: 01768 778225 THE PADDOCK GUEST HOUSE & ASHNESS APARTMENT Guest House Wordsworth Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4HU From £350 per week 1 Unit sleeps 6 Cumbria Quality Graded accommodation at The Paddock Guest House, a delightful residence of charm and character dating from the mid 1800's, in a quiet residential area only a few minutes level walk from the town centre, beautiful Fitz Park or the Lakeshore. Bedrooms are en-suite with television, central heating and tea/coffee making facilities. Many have fell views. An excellent centre for climbing/walking. 4 night mid-week Special Break £130 per person. Free Private Parking. Free Wi-Fi access. Cumbria Quality Graded holiday apartment is available in a town centre location, sleeping 6 persons. Short breaks. A warm, friendly welcome awaits!

Tel: 01768 772510 Fax: 01768 772510 Vicarage Hill, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5QB POA 2 Units sleep 4-5 Skiddaw Grove offers 4-Star bed and breakfast accommodation and a self-catering holiday apartment in peaceful surroundings within walking distance of Keswick town centre. 5 comfortable en-suite bedrooms are equipped with TV's, DVD players and tea/coffee making facilities. All have mountain or garden views. Relax in the cosy lounge, where we have plenty of literature about the Lake District's many attractions for you to browse through. A wide breakfast choice is served in our spacious dining room. The 2 bedroomed Terrace Apartment is light, spacious and sleeps 4-5. Fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. All accommodation shares the benefit of the outdoor heated swimming pool (May-Sept) and sun terrace. Free on-site car parking and Wi-Fi. Please mention Tourist Net when booking!

Tel: 01768 773324 Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5RD From £320 - £460 1 Unit sleeps 2 4 Star Gold Awarded ground floor Apartment located to the rear of a traditional Lakeland building with own private entrance. Spacious open plan living/dining area with internet enabled TV, DVD and radio/CD player. Free Wi-Fi broadband. DVD's and a selection of walking guides etc. Modern fully fitted kitchen with well stocked cupboards. An iron, airer and ironing board are provided and cleaning products are available for your use. The large en suite bedroom features a double bed, solid wood furniture and TV. A choice of seasonal, hollow-fibre duvets provided. Gas central heating. Free private off-road car parking. Secure bike store and drying room. Garden furniture on the patio. No smoking policy. Unfortunately we cannot accept pets at Harney Peak. Ideal for the Northern Lake District. Short breaks available - minimum 3 nights.

Tel: 0843 523 5257 or 07976 838175 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NH From £320 per week 3 wings sleeping 2, 6 & 11 Greta Hall offers beautifully restored self-catering accommodation and unexpected seclusion a few minutes walk from Keswick town centre. The Coach House - Sleeps 9-11 (2 Double en-suite, 1 Double, 1 Triple, 1 Gallery Twin). The top floor of the Coach House (sleeps 2-4) is also bookable outside school holidays. The Coleridge Wing - Sleeps 6 (2 Doubles, 1 Twin). The 'Old Wash House - sleeps 2. The Coach House (Top Floor) is only bookable 2-weeks in advance, sleeps 2-4. Bed & Breakfast in the main house - 1 x en-suite double, 2 x doubles with shared bathroom, all with four-posters and stunning views, cast iron roll top baths, shared sitting room with large sofas and open fire.

Breakfast and evening meals are taken in Southey's Parlour. Pets by prior arrangement. Tel: 01768 775980 or 07981 514279 Cumbria Family Holiday Homes Lake District Cumbria Family Holiday Homes Lake District 20 Houses in Keswick, Cumbria 5 Bedrooms Lake District From Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia The Lake District National Park is one of fourteen National parks in the United Kingdom. It lies entirely within Cumbria, and is one of England's few mountainous regions. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the Park. The Lakes, as the region is also called, were made famous during the early 19th century by the poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the Lake Poets. Geography General Geography The Lake District is about 34 miles (55 km) across (north-to-south or west-to-east). Its features are a result of periods of glaciation, the most recent of which ended some 15 000 years ago. The ice carved wide U-shaped valleys, many of which are now filled with the lakes that give the park its name.

The upper regions contain a number of glacial cirques, which are typically filled with tarns. The higher fells are rocky, with lower fells being open moorland, notable for its wide bracken and heather coverage. Below the tree line native oak woodlands sit alongside nineteenth century pine plantations. Much of the land is often boggy, due to the high rainfall. North West The North Western area stands between the valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, with Honister Pass joining the two dales. This area comprises the Newlands Fells (Dale Head, Robinson, Catbells) and the ridge joining them. To the north stand Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and the hills around the valley of Coledale, and in the far north west is Thornthwaite Forest and Lord's Seat. The fells in this area are rounded Skiddaw slate, with no tarns and few rock faces. West The western part is the area between Buttermere and Wasdale, with Sty Head forming the apex of a large triangle.

Ennerdale bisects the area, which consists of the High Stile ridge north of Ennerdale, the Loweswater Fells in the far north west, the Pillar group in the south west, and Great Gable (2,949 ft) near Sty Head. Other tops include Seatallan, Haystacks and Kirk Fell. This area is craggy and steep, with the impressive pinnacle of Pillar Rock its showpiece. Wastwater, located in this part, is England's deepest lake. Central The central part is the lowest in terms of elevation. It takes the form of a long boot-shaped ridge running from Loughrigg Fell above Ambleside - a popular tourist destination - to Keswick, with Derwent Water on the west and Thirlmere on the east. The Langdale Pikes, with High Raise behind them, are another feature popular with walkers. The central ridge running north over High Seat is exceptionally boggy. East The eastern area consists of a long north-to-south ridge - the Helvellyn range, running from Clough Head to Seat Sandal with the 3,118-foot Helvellyn at its highest point.

The western slopes of these summits tend to be grassy, with rocky corries and crags on the eastern side. The Fairfield group lies to the south of the range, and forms a similar pattern with towering rock faces and hidden valleys spilling into the Patterdale valley. It culminates in the height of Red Screes overlooking the Kirkstone Pass. Far East The Far Eastern Fells lie on the other side of Patterdale; steep sides leading up to a huge moorland plateau again on a north-south basis. High Street is the highest point on the ridge, overlooking the hidden valley of Mardale and Haweswater. In the south of this region are the fells overlooking Kentmere, and to the east is Shap Fell, a huge area that is more akin to the Pennines than the Lakes, consisting of high flat moorland. Mid-West The Mid Western fells are a triangular shape, with the corners at the Irish Sea, Borrowdale and Langdale.

They comprise the Wastwater Screes overlooking Wasdale, the Glaramara ridge overlooking Borrowdale, the three tops of Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike overlooking Langdale and Scafell Pike in the centre, at 3,209 feet the highest ground in England. Scafell one mile to the south west is slightly lower but has an 700-foot rock face on its north face, Scafell Crag. The valley of Eskdale penetrates this upland wilderness. These fells are the most rugged and craggy of all, and consequently going is slower amongst the tumbled granite. South-West The South Western Fells have as their northern boundary the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes. These are particularly narrow and steep, with tight hairpin bends. The Furness Fells stand between Coniston and the Duddon Valley, which runs NE-SW through the centre of the area. On the other side of the Duddon is Harter Fell and the long ridge leading over Whitfell to Black Combe and the sea. The south of this region is lower forests and knolls, with Kirkby Moor on the southern boundary.

South-East The South Eastern area is the territory between Coniston Water and Windermere and east of Windermere. There are no high summits in this group; it is mainly low hills, knolls and bumpy terrain such as Gummer's How, Whitbarrow and Top o' Selside. The wide expanse of Grizedale Forest stands between the two lakes. Kendal and Morecambe Bay mark the edge.

25 highest fells The 25 highest fells are: Scafell Pike, 978 m / 3210 ft Scafell, 965 m / 3162 ft Helvellyn, 951 m / 3118 ft Skiddaw, 931 m / 3054 ft Great End, 910 m / 2986 ft Bowfell, 902 m / 2960 ft Great Gable, 899 m / 2949 ft Pillar, 892 m / 2926 ft Nethermost Pike, 891 m / 2923 ft Catstycam, 889 m / 2917 ft Esk Pike, 885 m / 2903 ft Raise, 883 m / 2896 ft Fairfield, 873 m / 2863 ft Blencathra, 868 m / 2847 ft Skiddaw Little Man, 865 m / 2837 ft White Side, 

863 m / 2831 ft Crinkle Crags, 859 m / 2818 ft Dollywaggon Pike, 858 m / 2815 ft Great Dodd, 857 m / 2807 ft Grasmoor, 852 m / 2795 ft Stybarrow Dodd, 843 m / 2772 ft St Sunday Crag, 841 m / 2759 ft Scoat Fell, 841 m / 2759 ft Crag Hill, 839 m / 2753 ft High Street, 828 m / 2717 ft A more extensive lists of fells can be found on the list of fells in the Lake District.

20 most prominent summits The 20 tops in the region with the greatest relative height are given below, together with their relative height. Scafell Pike, 912 m Wast Water Windermere More lakes, tarns and reservoirs can be found on the list of lakes in the Lake District. Geology The Lake District's geology is complex but well studied. Its oldest rocks are the Skiddaw Slate series and the Borrowdale Volcanic series dating back to the Ordovician, some 500 million years ago. The Skiddaw Slates are found in the north of the park and were probably deposited in shallow seas; their thickness is unknown. The Borrowdale Volcanic rocks are more extensive and form the Lakes' highest peaks, being resistant to weathering. Later intrusions have formed individual outcrops of igneous rock in both these series. The other large rock group is the Silurian Windermere Group, made of Limestone that rests upon the volcanic rocks. Many smaller series are also present. Climate The Lake District's location on the north-west coast of England, coupled with its mountainous geography, makes it the wettest part of England.

The UK Met Office reports average annual precipitation of more than 2,000 mm, but with very large local variation. Seathwaite in Borrowdale is the wettest inhabited place in the British Isles with an average of 3,300 mm of rain a year, while nearby Sprinkling Tarn is even wetter, recording over 5,000 mm per year; by contrast, Keswick, at the end of Borrowdale receives 1,470 mm per year, and Penrith (just outside the Lake District) only 870 mm. March to June tend to be the driest months, with October to January the wettest, but at low levels there is relatively little difference between months. The Lake District is also windy, although sheltered valleys experience gales on an average of five days a year. In contrast, the coastal areas have 20 days of gales; while the fell tops may have 100 days of gales per year. The maritime climate means that the Lake District experiences relatively moderate temperature variations through the year. Mean temperature in the valleys ranges from about 3 °C in January to around 15 °C in July.

(By comparison, Moscow, at the same latitude, ranges from -10°C to 19°C.) The relatively low height of most of the fells means that, while snow is expected during the winter, they can be free of snow at any time of the year. Normally significant snow fall only occurs between November and April. On average, snow falls on Helvellyn 67 days per year. During the year, valleys typically experience 20 days with snow falling, a further 200 wet days, and 145 dry days. Hill fog is common at any time of year, and the fells average only around 2.5 hours of sunshine per day, increasing to around 4.1 hours per day on the coastal plains. Wildlife The area is home to a plethora of wildlife, some of which is unique in England. It provides a home for the red squirrel and colonies of sundew, one of the few carnivorous plants native to Britain. England's only nesting colony of Golden Eagles can be found in the Lake District.

The lakes of the Lake District support three rare and endangered species of fish: the vendace, which can be found only in Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water, the schelly, which lives in Brothers Water, Haweswater, Red Tarn and Ullswater, and the arctic charr, which can be found in Buttermere, Coniston Water, Crummock Water, Ennerdale Water, Haweswater, Loweswater, Thirlmere, Wast water, and Windermere. In recent years, some important changes have been made to fisheries byelaws covering the North West region of England, to help protect some of the rarest fish species. The Environment Agency has introduced a new fisheries byelaw, banning the use of all freshwater fish as live bait or as dead bait in 14 of the lakes in the Lake District. Anglers who do not comply with the new byelaw could face fines of up to £2,500. The byelaw was introduced on 26 July 2002. There are 14 lakes in the Lake District which are affected.

These are: Bassenthwaite Lake, Brothers Water, Buttermere, Coniston Water, Crummock Water, Derwent Water, Ennerdale Water, Haweswater, Loweswater, Red Tarn, Thirlmere, Ullswater, Wast Water and Windermere. The lakes and waters of the Lake District do not naturally support as many species of fish as other similar habitats in the south of the country and elsewhere in Europe. Some fish that do thrive there are particularly at risk from accidental or deliberate introduction of new species. The introduction of non-native fish can lead to the predation of the native fish fauna or competition for food. There is also the risk of disease being introduced, which can further threaten native populations. In some cases, the introduced species can disturb the environment so much that it becomes unsuitable for particular fish. For example, a major problem has been found with ruffe. This non-native fish has now been introduced into a number of lakes in recent years. It is known that ruffe eat the eggs of vendace, which are particularly vulnerable because of their long incubation period. This means that they are susceptible to predators for up to 120 days.

The eggs of other fish, for example roach, are only at risk for as little as three days. Industry and agriculture In Neolithic times, the Lake District was a major source of stone axes, examples of which have been found all over Britain. The primary site, on the slopes of the Langdale Pikes, is sometimes described as a 'stone axe factory' of the Langdale axe industry. Some of the earliest stone circles in Britain are connected with this industry. Since Roman times, farming, in particular of sheep, was the major industry in the region. The breed most closely associated with the area is the tough Herdwick, with Rough Fell and Swaledale sheep also common. Sheep farming remains important both for the economy of the region and for preserving the landscape which visitors want to see. Features such as dry stone walls, for example, are there as a result of sheep farming. Some land is also used for silage and dairy farming. There are extensive plantations of non-native pine trees. The area was badly affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak across the United Kingdom in 2001. Thousands of sheep, grazing on the fellsides across the District, were destroyed.

In replacing the sheep, one problem to overcome was that many of the lost sheep were heafed, that is, they knew their part of the unfenced fell and did not stray, with this knowledge being passed between generations. With all the sheep lost at once, this knowledge has to be re-learnt and some of the fells have had discreet electric fences strung across them for a period of five years, to allow the sheep to "re-heaf". Mining, particularly of copper, lead (often associated with quantities of silver), baryte, graphite and slate, was historically a major lakeland industry, mainly from the 16th century to the 19th century. Coppiced woodland was used extensively to provide charcoal for smelting. Some mining still takes place today — for example slate mining continues at the Honister Mines, at the top of Honister Pass. Abandoned mine-workings can be found on fell-sides throughout the district. The locally-mined graphite led to the development of the pencil industry, especially around Keswick. In the middle of the 19th century, half the world textile industry's bobbin supply came from the Lake District area.

Over the past century, however, tourism has grown rapidly to become the area's primary source of income. Development of tourism Early visitors to the Lake District, who travelled for the education and pleasure of the journey, include Celia Fiennes who in 1698 undertook a journey the length of England, including riding through Kendal and over Kirkstone Pass into Patterdale. Her experiences and impressions were published in her book Great Journey to Newcastle and Cornwall: As I walked down at this place I was walled on both sides by those inaccessible high rocky barren hills which hang over one’s head in some places and appear very terrible; and from them springs many little currents of water from the sides and clefts which trickle down to some lower part where it runs swiftly over the stones and shelves in the way, which makes a pleasant rush and murmuring noise and like a snowball is increased by each spring trickling down on either side of those hills, and so descends into the bottoms which are a Moorish ground in which in many places the waters stand, and so form some of those Lakes as it did here. In 1724, Daniel Defoe published the first volume of ''A Tour Thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain''.

He commented on Westmorland that it was: the wildest, most barren and frightful of any that I have passed over in England, or even Wales itself; the west side, which borders on Cumberland, is indeed bounded by a chain of almost unpassable mountains which, in the language of the country, are called fells. Towards the end of the 18th century, the area was becoming more popular with travellers. This was influenced by wars in Continental Europe, restricting the possibility of travel there. In 1778 Father Thomas West produced A Guide to the Lakes, which began the era of true tourism. West listed "stations" - viewpoints where tourists could enjoy the best views of the landscape, being encouraged to appreciated the formal qualities of the landscape and to apply aesthetic values. At some of these stations, buildings were erected to help this process. The remains of Claife Station (on the western shore of Windermere below Claife Heights) can be visited today. William Wordsworth published his Guide to the Lakes in 1810, and by 1835 it had reached its fifth edition, now called A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England.

This book was particularly influential in popularising the region. Wordsworths favourite valley was Dunnerdale or the Duddon Valley nestling in the South West of the Lake District. The noted Author and poet Norman Nicholson came from the South West Lakes, living and writing about Millom in the twentieth century - he was known as the last of the Lake Poets and came close to becoming Poet Laureat. The railways led to another expansion in tourism. The Kendal and Windermere Railway was the first to penetrate the Lake District, reaching Kendal in 1846 and Windermere in 1847. The line to Coniston opened in 1848 (although until 1857 this was only linked to the national network with ferries between Fleetwood and Barrow-in-Furness); the line from Penrith through Keswick to Cockermouth in 1865; and the line to Lakeside at the foot of Windermere in 1869. The railways, built with traditional industry in mind, brought with them a huge increase in the number of visitors, thus contributing to the growth of the tourism industry.

Railway services were supplemented by steamer boats on the major lakes of Ullswater, Windermere, Coniston Water, and Derwent Water. The growth in tourist numbers continued into the age of the motor car, when railways began to be closed or run down. The formation of the National Park in 1951 recognised the need to protect the Lake District environment from excessive commercial or industrial exploitation, preserving that which visitors come to see, without (so far) any restriction on the movement of people into and around the district. The M6 Motorway helped bring traffic to the Lakes, passing up its eastern flank. The narrow roads present a challenge for traffic flow and, from the 1960s, certain areas have been very congested. The county has also become associated with writer Beatrix Potter. A number of tourists visit to see her family home. Particularly large numbers come from Japan. Tourism has now become the park's major industry, with about 14 million visitors each year.. Windermere Lake Steamers are now the UK's second most popular charging tourist attraction and the local economy is dependent upon tourists. The negative impacts of tourism have been seen, however.

Soil erosion, caused by walking, is now a significant problem, with millions of pounds being spent to protect over-used paths. The fickleness of tourism is also a problem - numbers have fallen in the Windermere area with the introduction of a ten miles per hour speed limit on the lake. In 2006, a number of Tourist Information Centres in the park were closed. Literature The Lake District is intimately associated with English literature in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thomas Gray was the first to bring the region to attention, when he wrote a journal of his Grand Tour in 1769 but it was William Wordsworth whose poems were most famous and influential. Wordsworth's poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, inspired by the sight of daffodils on the shores of Ullswater, remains one of the most famous in the English language. Out of his long life of eighty years, sixty were spent amid its lakes and mountains, first as a schoolboy at Hawkshead, and afterwards living in Grasmere (1799-1813) and Rydal Mount (1813-50).

In the churchyard of Grasmere the poet and his wife lie buried, and very near to them are the remains of Hartley Coleridge (son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge), who himself lived for many years in Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere. Robert Southey, the friend of Wordsworth, was a resident of Keswick for forty years (1803-43), and was buried in Crosthwaite churchyard. Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived for some time in Keswick, and also with the Wordsworths at Grasmere. From 1807 to 1815 John Wilson lived at Windermere. De Quincey spent the greater part of the years 1809 to 1828 at Grasmere, in the first cottage which Wordsworth had inhabited. Ambleside, or its environs, was also the place of residence both of Thomas Arnold, who spent there the vacations of the last ten years of his life and of Harriet Martineau, who built herself a house there in 1845.

At Keswick, Mrs Lynn Linton (wife of William James Linton) was born, in 1822. Brantwood, a house beside Coniston Water, was the home of John Ruskin during the last years of his life. In addition to these residents or natives of the Lake District, a variety of other poets and writers made visits to the Lake District or were bound by ties of friendship with those already mentioned above. These include Norman Nicholson, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Sir Walter Scott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Hugh Clough, Henry Crabb Robinson, Thomas Carlyle, John Keats, Lord Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, Felicia Hemans, and Gerald Massey. During the early 20th Century, the beloved children's book author Beatrix Potter was in residence at Hill Top Farm, setting many of her famous Peter Rabbit books in the Lake District. Her life is currently being made into a biopic film, being filmed in the Lake District and the Isle of Man, starring Renee Zellwegger and Ewan McGregor.

In more recent times, Arthur Ransome was resident in several areas of the Lake District and set a number of his Swallows and Amazons books in a fictionalised Lake District setting. The novelist Sir Hugh Walpole lived at Brackenburn on the lower slopes of Catbells overlooking Derwentwater from 1924 until his death in 1941. Whilst living at Brackenburn he wrote the The Herries Chronicle detailing the history of a fictional Cumbrian Family over two centuries. Nomenclature A number of words/phrases are local to the Lake District. These include: fell - brought to England by Viking invaders and close to modern Norwegian 'Fjell' meaning mountain tarn - a word that has been taken to mean a small lake situated in a corrie, it is a local phrase for any small pool of water Yan Tan Tethera - the name for a system of sheep counting which was traditionally used in the Lake District. Though now rare, it is still used by some and taught in local schools.

Photographs of the area Derwent Water Marina Derwent Water Marina We offer tuition for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, ghyll scrambling and stand up paddle boarding both for individuals and groups. We run Royal Yachting Association courses for Sailing and Windsurfing. However if you're just looking for a great way to explore the lake we hire canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, rowing boats, dinghys and windsurfers. We are an AALA, RYA and BCU registered Centre. Location We are situated at the Northern end of Derwent Water with Keswick just 5 minutes by road or a 15 minute walk away. To find us turn off the M6 at junction 40 on to the A66 signed for Keswick. Bypass Keswick itself (stay on the A66) and take the left turn signed to Portinscale. Drive through the village and we are on the outskirts on the left hand side. Alternatively take the A591 from Windermere to Keswick, drive through the town and on to the A66 then turn off to Portinscale as before. Your enquiry will be sent directly to Derwent Water Marina.

Please fill in as much detail as you can. Sorry, something went wrong. Thank you. Your message has been sent! Full Name To help us avoid spam, please answer the following question: What is 9 + 1? We offer tuition for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, ghyll scrambling and stand up paddle boarding both for individuals and groups. We run Royal Yachting Association courses for Sailing and Windsurfing. However if you're just looking for a great way to explore the lake we hire canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, rowing boats, dinghys and windsurfers. We are an AALA, RYA and BCU registered Centre. Location We are situated at the Northern end of Derwent Water with Keswick just 5 minutes by road or a 15 minute walk away. To find us turn off the M6 at junction 40 on to the A66 signed for Keswick. Bypass Keswick itself (stay on the A66) and take the left turn signed to Portinscale. Drive through the village and we are on the outskirts on the left hand side.

Alternatively take the A591 from Windermere to Keswick, drive through the town and on to the A66 then turn off to Portinscale as before. Your enquiry will be sent directly to Derwent Water Marina. Please fill in as much detail as you can. Sorry, something went wrong.

Question: Keswick stands at the northern end of which Lake District lake?
Answer: Derwent Water