Keswick


tourist information centre
017687 72645

Whitehaven to Keswick 31 miles
Keswick to Sunderland 103 miles

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.

The Twa Dogs Inn

Mr. and Mrs.  Harding
Twa Dogs Inn, Penrith Road, Keswick,
Cumbria CA12 4JU
tel: 017687 72599

rooms .... 3 double - 1 twin - 1 family
months open .... all year
B & B .... £30.00 per person
evening meal .... yes
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes in bedrooms
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 2 minutes

Home cooked food served in non-smoking dining area. Fine real ales,. pool table, dart, dominoes and large beer garden.

Craglands Guest House

Ella Ferguson
Penrith Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4LJ
tel: 017687 74406
web site: www.craglands-keswick.co.uk
e-mail: craglands@msn.com

rooms .... 2 twin - 2 single - 4 double - 4 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £24.00
evening meal .... no although pubs and restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... £4.25
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on route
pub .... 2 minutes walk

Situated on the C2C route, safe cycle storage and maintenance facilities available. Single, twin and double rooms - mostly en-suite and all with fantastic mountain views. A hearty breakfast to start the day and home baked packed lunch available.

Denton House - Vivid Events UK Ltd

Rebbecca Chaffer
Denton House, Penrith Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4JW
tel: 017687 75351
e-mail: rebbeccac@vividevents.co.uk
web page: www.vividevents.co.uk

rooms .... 58 beds in total of 7 rooms
months open .... all year
B & B .... bed only: £12  bed and breakfast: £15.00
evening meal ... yes £5.00
packed lunch .... yes £5.00
kitchen facilities available .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on alternative/road route via Castlerigg
pub .... 100 yards

Denton House is an independent Backpackers Hostel, 2 minutes by bike from Keswick town centre. We take individuals or groups in bunkroom accommodation with hot showers, central heating, free tea and coffee and a commercial kitchen for self-catering.

Ivy Lodge

Mr. and Mrs. J. Delin
Ivy Lodge, 32 Penrith Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4HA
tel: 017687 75747
e-mail: info@ivy-lodge.com
web page: www.ivy-lodge.com

rooms ....  2 twin or family rooms - 2 double - 4 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £26.00 p.p.p.n.
evening meal .... no although eating places are nearby
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on route
pub .... 500 metres

Ivy Lodge is a family run guest house. All bedrooms are en-suite. Excellent English breakfast to set you on your way. Large car park, lock up for cycles. 5 minutes walk to town centre where there is a good selection of pubs and restaurants.

Grassmoor Guest House

Mike Hurst and Maureen Shirvell
10 Blencathra Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4HP
tel: 017687 74008
web site: www.grassmoor-keswick.co.uk
e-mail: info@grassmoor-keswick.co.uk

rooms .... 4 double - 2 twin - 2 family - all en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £22.50 to £26.00
evening meal .... no although pubs and restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... from £3.50
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 100 meters
pub .... 5 minutes walk

Mike and Maureen offer a relaxed, comfortable place to stay with a variety of Breakfasts. Close to Town Centre and C2C Cycle Route. Cycle, Family and Walker friendly. Cycle Store, Bike wash. Bike Recovery. Drying Room and Laundry facility. Luggage Transfer. All rooms En-Suite with Double or Single Beds. Non-Smoking

Glaramara Guest House

Mrs B. J. Harbage
9 Acorn Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4EA
tel: 017687 73216
web site: www.cumbriawaycycleroute.co.uk & www.keswickcycleactiveguesthouse.co.uk
e-mail: keswick.9glaramara@virgin.net

rooms .... 1 single - 2 double - 2 twin - 1 family - all en-suite except single
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £25.00 to £30.00
evening meal .... no although pubs and restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 100 meters
pub .... 5 minutes walk

We offer cosy, warm en-suite rooms in a quiet area. Bike Lock-up. Emergency Transport available for you and your Bike. Very close to C2C route and all other amenities, inc. Launderette. We offer minor cycle repairs. My husband is a qualified Mountain Bike Leader. We do our own 2 Day alternative to the C2C -The Cumbria Way Cycle Route, which comes from Ulverston>Keswick>Carlisle. (72 - 80 miles) See www. link above. Package Deal available, if reqd. Bike Orienteering Days organised throughout the Year. Get in touch for further details.