Two Days in Keswick

A short trip to the Lake District, one of the most beautiful places in England

There is a lot of beauty in England, as I have documented throughout the almost two years I have lived here.

However, if you love nature and lovely little towns, there is nowhere quite as beautiful as the Lake District, an area famous for having inspired the poet William Wordsworth and writer Beatrix Potter.

The Lake District is a National Park in the North-West of England with incredible landscapes. It’s a fairly large area and there are a number of towns that can be explored.

If it seems daunting to figure out where to start, I suggest Keswick. The town itself is beautiful, filled with pubs and inns, art galleries, and outdoor equipment stores. And the surrounding areas include some incredible sights.

The Castlerigg Stone Circle (pictured at the top of the article) is a stone circle on top of a hill. It’s surrounded by a dramatic view of mountains on all sides. The 38 stones that compose the circle date back to 3000 BC.

Bowder Stone is another location that can be easily reached from Keswick. A short hike leads to a large stone perched in a state of apparent delicate balance. A ladder allows access to the top of the stone.

The drive between Keswick and Buttermere is a must-do. It slithers between lakes and mountains, revealing incredible landscapes at each turn of the road. Most notably, it goes through Honister Pass, where there is an old slate mine. It is possible to buy slate souvenirs there but the drive itself, following a stream surrounded by mountains is worth it.

Whinlatter Forest Park is a mountain forest near Keswick where hiking, running, and cycling trails have been created. There are different trail lengths and the hikes are beautiful, going through varied forest landscapes. It’s one of my (and Ginny’s) favourite places to visit. The forest there is truly magical.

Lingholm Kitchen is where I would recommend having lunch when visiting the Keswick area. Situated above the gorgeous walled garden of the Lingholm Estate, this café could not have a better setting. It also serves delicious food and is dog-friendly. It’s worth taking a stroll in the walled garden and the associated greenhouse after an incredible meal at this café.

There are a lot of incredible things to see in the Lake District and this article barely scratches the surface. But it’s a great place to start and will give you an overview of what this region of England has to offer.

Happy exploring!