The North Lakes are well known for their scenic landscape and as a venue for a wide range of outdoor activities. Keswick is the local market town for the North Lakes and a hub of tourist activity.
The name 'Keswick' is said to mean 'cheese farm' and is first recorded as a settlement in 1240. Its origins as a market town date back to 1276 when Edward I granted Thomas, Lord of the Manor of Derwentwater a charter to hold a Saturday market, which still continues today over 700 years later. The Moot Hall in the Market Square, now the home of the Tourist Information Centre, was used in the past as a covered market, a courthouse, a museum and a prison.
The Moot Hall is surrounded by an impressive range of shops, hotels and pubs and is now at the heart of the pedestrianised Keswick Market Place and the Saturday Market. Keswick is also rapidly becoming known as the" outdoor clothing capital" of England.
Keswick also offers a choice of museums and art and craft galleries, a cinema, and the renowned Theatre by the Lake. A short walk to the lakeshore of Derwent Water lead to the boat landings from where rowing and small motor boats can be hired or where visitors can catch the regular launch service around the lake.However, most visitors come to Keswick to walk in the local countryside and to view, climb or even cycle the surrounding mountains.
