There are many gorgeous places to visit in England’s biggest national park, but Mark explains why he believes the best town in the Lake District to stay in and explore is hands-down Keswick.
Of all the national parks I’ve been to in the UK (and the rest of the world for that matter), the Lake District is by far my favourite. I’ve spent several hiking holidays in this national park and I always get drawn back to the same town every time; Keswick.
Knowing which place to visit in the Lake District is not an easy choice as there are several fantastic areas worth exploring.
But I’m going to share with you my experience of visiting Keswick, in particular my last visit there in summer 2022, when I had a few days to experience the town and all that it has to offer.
I’ll explain why I think it is the best town in the Lake District to visit, as well as cover the two best hikes nearby; Catbells and Scafell Pike.
Why Stay in Keswick in the Lake District?
Keswick is a small and quaint market town brimming with authentic old shops and traditional pubs. It’s the most northerly of the Lake District’s towns.
Just a ten-minute walk from Lake Derwent (or Derwentwater), affectionately called the ‘Queen of the Lakes,’ Keswick is encircled by fells like Catbells and Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain.
A lot of visitors choose Windermere for their stay in the Lake District, and so it’s by far the most popular town in this national park. But in my opinion, there are far too many tourists in this area.
That said, Keswick also becomes busy with tourists in the summer, though perhaps less so than Windermere.
To be fair, Keswick does have some of the best hiking routes in the whole national park close by, so that is a small price to pay.
For me, it’s this reason why Keswick is the best town in the whole of the Lake District; the top hiking trails are in easy reach, and the town is lovely too.
If you can, it’s definitely best to visit during off-peak season when there are less hikers around.
The Top Things to Do In Keswick Town
If you don’t go hiking and exploring the surrounding countryside, there are still many things to do in Keswick town itself.
The Derwent Pencil Museum guides visitors through the history of pencils. It sounds dull but it’s actually quite interesting, highlighting Keswick’s significant role in the pencil-making industry thanks to its rich graphite deposits.
Moot Hall, a historic fixture in the Market Square, now houses the Tourist Information Centre and art galleries, serving as a cultural hub and serves as a great starting point for exploring the town.
And for a unique experience, the Puzzling Place offers a world of optical illusions, with exhibits like the anti-gravity room, engaging visitors of all ages. It’s a good attraction to do when the weather is poor.
Lake Derwent and the Catbells
Catbells is a popular fell (a prominent hill) in the Lake District. It only has a height of 451 metres, so it’s ideal if you’re not a hiking expert and want an easy climb, as opposed to the likes of the more challenging Skiddaw or Scafell Pike.
Choosing which fell to hike all depends on your experience and how confident you feel about climbing, so choose wisely.
Catbells is just three miles west of Keswick and to get there you have to cross Lake Derwent.
There are cruise boats that disembark from Keswick on a regular timetable. A round trip takes about 50 minutes and costs around £12.50 per adult, or you can choose to get off at one of the several jetties around the lake for a cheaper price.
When I crossed Lake Derwent it was a very cloudy, rainy day. My boat offered no real covering from the elements which meant all of the hard wooden seats were soaked wet from the rain.
The conditions weren’t exactly great, and it was far from an ideal start!
Despite the weather, the boat ride still offered jaw-dropping views. The clouds rolling along the mountain tops were dramatic to say the least; I felt like a hobbit in Lord of the Rings on my way to Mordor!
Hiking up Catbells
I chose to disembark from my boat at Hawes End to start my hike up Catbells.
From Hawes End there are a few signposts leading you to the bottom of Catbells. But I wouldn’t say it’s very clear which direction you’re heading in, so I relied on good old Google Maps to make sure I didn’t go astray.
Although it was the middle of July and other areas of the UK were experiencing beautiful sunshine, it was of course a misty, grey day when I started my ascent.
But not one to be deterred easily, I started hiking in earnest despite being underprepared in the clothing department; sporting trainers and denim jeans, while every other climber I passed was decked out in proper climbing gear.
This is an important point if you’re an infrequent hiker – definitely prepare by buying the right clothing and equipment, otherwise you’ll regret it!
The climb up to the summit of Catbells takes around one hour and it was surprisingly steep in places. At times it requires some scrambling up wet slate rock which felt a little dangerous, but overall it’s a relatively easy climb compared to other hikes in the Lake District.
The views at the top are amazing, and even in the rain, which I can vouch for!
It’s really lovely to sit and take in the views surrounding you, and even better if you come prepared with some lunch and refreshments, which I didn’t!
You can continue onwards from Catbells to climb up other fells, but it all depends on how fit you are and how much time you have available.
I decided to head back down from the top of Catbells after about 30 minutes or so of admiring the views.
The descent was quite tricky, particularly due to the harsh weather conditions. I then walked a few miles around the lake back to Keswick
Rather than catching the boat again, I walked a few miles around the lake back to my charming bed and breakfast in Keswick.
Lake Derwent Trails
After recovering from my hike up Catbells, I ended my day with a leisurely stroll around Lake Derwent.
Thankfully, the weather had cleared up somewhat and the lake looked stunningly photogenic in the evening light.
The lake is definitely the most scenic place close to Keswick and a big reason why I reckon it’s the best town in the Lake District. There are plenty of footpaths around the lake amongst woodlands, and the paths are flat and easy to navigate.
A full lap of the lake is about 10 miles in total. However I was still feeling a wee bit exhausted after Catbells, so I called it quits after a few miles and headed back into the market town.
After tiring myself out from climbing Catbells and strolling around Lake Derwent, there’s only really one thing to do; visit one of the many traditional pubs that Keswick has to offer.
Most nights during the peak season there’s at least one pub with a band playing live music with a fantastic friendly atmosphere. There are also several very good restaurants as well, including Mexican, Italian and Indian restaurants.
Climbing Scafell Pike
After resting well, I was ready to crack on and attempt to climb Scafell Pike on my second day in Keswick.
Scafell Pike is the highest and most prominent mountain in all of England, with a height of 978 metres above sea level.
Climbing the mountain is indeed a challenge, so you should only attempt it if you’re in good physical condition.
Keswick is the closest town to Scafell Pike, about a 25 minute drive by car or 45 minutes by bus. On my second day I experienced lovely summer weather, which really makes the Lake District all the more special.
Although that does mean you’re going to be more thirsty when hiking, especially climbing a mountain such as Scafell Pike. So it’s important to stay well hydrated and bring plenty of water with you.
For my hike up Scafell Pike, I chose the Wasdale Head route, which is the easiest and shortest route up to the summit. This also makes it the most popular route, meaning there were a lot of fellow hikers, especially as it was summer season.
Hiking up the Wasdale Head route takes around 3 to 4 hours to the summit and back down again.
It’s a very tough, steep hike, crossing lots of rocky areas – much tougher than Cat Bells! It really tests your stamina and on such a hot day I just wanted to dive into some of the small lakes that I passed!
Unfortunately I didn’t quite make it to the summit as I was absolutely exhausted. I could see the summit in the distance but it’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard.
The views were absolutely wondrous however, hiking up Scafell Pike really does show the best of English countryside and nature.
The descent back down to ground level was brutal! I found it much harder coming back down then going up, and it’s a test of mental strength as much as it is physical.
Fortunately, I came across a lovely pub that was packed with fellow hikers, so I happily consumed a couple of beers which helped aid my recovery!
How to Get to Keswick
Car
The best way to travel to Keswick and the Lake District in general is by car. If you don’t own a car but can drive, then you can hire a car in advance wherever in the UK is convenient for you!
But, if like me you don’t drive, then you’re going to rely on public transport.
Train + Bus
For my last visit to Keswick, I caught a train from my hometown of Wolverhampton to Manchester, and from there to Windermere. You can conveniently book a train from anywhere in the country via the Trainline website.
Choosing not to stay in Windermere, I then caught a bus further north to Keswick, which was a really beautiful ride.
There are regular buses running throughout the Lakes regularly, and I caught the 555 bus outside Windermere train station at a cost of £8.
That might sound a bit steep for a bus ticket, but it was well worth it; the views during the one hour bus ride are stunning!
Final Thoughts
So that concludes my experience in Keswick and why I believe it’s for sure the best town to visit in the Lake District.
With Lake Derwent, Catbells and Scafell Pike all nearby, Keswick has the best hiking options and most beautiful views you’ll find in the entire national park.
Even if you decide to visit another area in the park instead of Keswick, the Lake District as a whole is one of the main attractions that makes England worth visiting in the first place. It’s full of natural splendour that is absolutely breathtaking – the views still leave me in awe every time I visit.
Keswick is the perfect getaway destination for a few days. Whether going there as a solo traveller like me, or as a family or a couple, it’s a beauty spot that you’ll want to revisit again and again whenever you’re looking for a outdoorsy destination in England.
Author: Mark Jeavons
Mark is from Wolverhampton in England and started travel blogging back in August 2022 after deciding to combine his love of writing and travelling. So far he has travelled to over 40 countries, mostly as a solo traveller.