Keswick
Directions
Braithwaite to Keswick
The route to Keswick via Portinscale is well signposted. You come into the town up the main street, fol owing the traffic to the left and up to the lights at the Penrith Road. If not stopping in this delightful town, then go left down Station Street, turn right onto Brundholme Road, round in a loop and pick up the track heading east.
Sandwiched between Derwentwater, Blencathra and Skiddaw at the entrance to the mighty Borrowdale val ey, this market town is blessed with one of Britain's most idyllic settings. It is ideal for cycling, walking, boating or just sightseeing, and is a favourite venue with cycle back-up teams; it is the most popular and best-equipped stop-off point on the route.
Keswick ('Cese-Wic' - the Cheese Town, literal y) became prosperous in the 17th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I, thanks to copper, lead, silver and iron mining.
There was so much work that engineers had to be imported from Germany. Despite a rocky start - at one stage, local xenophobia drove them to inhabit Derwent Island - they soon managed to integrate; evidence of this can be found in the phone book today, with its many Germanic surnames.
Lead in your pencils...
The town's Cumberland Pencil Company was established after the discovery of graphite in Borrowdale in the 16th century. However, the town was granted its charter some 300 years before that by Edward I in 1276. Visitors started to flock in during the 18th century and Victorian times. Many of them were literary pilgrims, attracted by the association with such Romantic poets as Southey, Coleridge and Wordsworth. John Ruskin, the aesthete and champion of the Pre-Raphaelites, had close associations Centre (Hire/Servicing) with the town. The population of the place has grown little in the past century. In 1902 there were 4,500 people; now there are just 500 more, but many of them - as you will note if you choose to stop over - are B&B owners. The place also has many good pubs and solid restaurants.
Cycle Shops
Chris Warren, Kinniside, Portinscale, 01768 72415
Keswick Moutain Bike, Unit 1, Daleston Court, Southey Hill, Keswick 01768 775202
Keswick Riding & Cycle Hire Centre, hire & minor spares/repairs.
Places of Interest
The Cumberland Pencil Museum, West of the town centre. 017687 73626
Cars of the Stars, this is a pre-Carbon Footprint establishment. Famous cars including a James Bondmobile, the Batmobile and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 017687 73757
The Keswick Launch Company, tours on the lake, on the shore of Derwentwater. 017687 72263.
George Fisher, big stock of outdoor gear, books and maps. Borrowdale Rd. 017687 72178
Cotswold Outdoor Ltd, as above. 017687 81939
The Moot Hall, Tourist Information Centre. 017687 72645
Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside. Open all year round. Restaurant. Beautiful setting. 017687 74411
Alhambra Cinema, St.Johns St. 017687 72195
Castlerigg Stone Circle, thought to date from 3000 B.C. Steep climb out of town on the alternative Penrith Rd route. Worth detour.
Keswick Museum & Art Gallery, interesting and eclectic collection 017687 72263
Where to eat
Lemon & Lime, 31 Lake Road. International cuisine with tapas, pizzas and other family favourites: 017687 73088
Salsa Mexican Bistro, 1 New Street. Spicy and popular medium priced establishment owned by the Nellist brothers: 017687 75222
Red Fort Indian Restaurant, 5 St John Street. Lively and reliable spot very popular with the locals: 017687 74328
Swinside Inn, Newlands, Keswick 017687 78253 Luca's Ristorante, High Hill, Greta Bridge. Family run Italian with elaborate decorations and prices to match: 017687 74621
Maysons Restaurant and Cafe, 33, Lake Road, Keswick, simple and unpretentious eaterie. Good value: 017687 74104
The Bank Tavern, 47 Main St. Solid, handsome pub with good, traditional English cooking. Medium price. Outside eating area: 017687 72663
George Hotel, 3 St John St. Medium priced fare: 017687 75751
The Lakeland Pedlar, Wholefood Cafe and Bicycle Centre, Bell Close, Keswick, CA12 5JD. Great food, drink and bike accessories, all under the same roof. 017687 74492, www.LakelandPedlar.co.uk
Accommodation
| Powe House, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RW | |
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Elegant Georgian house recently and lovingly restored. Bedrooms fully en-suite with LCD screens. All food is locally sourced and there is a solid and secure bike lock-up. |
Run by: Andrew & Helen Carey 
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Tel: 017687 73611 |
Rooms : 5D (3 of which can become twins) plus 1S |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Mount, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RD | |
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Friendly, family run and comfortable B&B in quiet setting. En-suite rooms. Splendid lake/fell views. Excellent breakfasts with vegetarian option. The Mount has been a firm cyclists' favourite for more than a decade. |
Run by: Tony Mannion 
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Tel : 017687 73970 |
Rooms : 1S,3D,1T. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Denton House, Penrith Rd, Keswick, CA12 4JW | |
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Budget accommodation run by Cedric and Rebecca. This is a big, friendly outdoor hostel, full of youngsters and the not so young. Lots of fun and cheerful. Group bookings welcome by arrangement. Inside storage for bikes. |
Run by: Cedric 
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Tel : 01768 775351 |
Rooms : 8 containing 58 bunk beds |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Queens Hotel, Main St, CA12 5JF | |
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Right in the centre of town on the market square, and a hub of the action since being rebuilt in 1826, the Queens offers high standards of comfort and service and has 35 en-suite guest rooms. There is a secure lock-up for bikes and everything a tired cyclist could need. Recently and stylishly refurbished, there is an open fire in the bar. |
Run by: Duty Manager 
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Tel : 01768 773333 |
Rooms : 5S, 12T/F, 18D |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Beckside, 5 Wordsworth St, CA12 4HU | |
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Recently taken over by Tracy and Andrew, the fine cycling traditions have been maintained right down to the killer breakfast (optional). The parting fry-up has been described as all-embracing - you will soon be murdering these calories. Rooms en-suite, secure bike storage. |
Run by: Tracey and Andrew Graham 
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Tel : 017687 73093 |
Rooms : 2D, 1T/F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Springs Farm, Springs Rd, CA12 4AN | |
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Comfortable accommodation in a large 19th century farmhouse at the foot of Walla Crag. This is a working dairy farm offering quality accommodation in an idyllic location. It is a 10 minute walk into town. This has been home to the Hutton family since 1924 and remains an entirely family operated business to this day. There is a pretty courtyard with ample parking. To the rear is a large orchard with apple, pear and plum trees, where free-range hens lay your breakfast eggs. And now there's a satellite TV, too. There are also two cottages sleeping 6 and 3 available for rent. |
Run by: Hazel Hutton 
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Tel : 017687 72144 |
Rooms : 2D, 1T |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Honister House, 1 Borrowdale Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DD | |
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"A warm welcome awaits you at our 18th century home in the centre of Keswick. Cyclists, walkers and families welcome. Drying room and storage. Award-winning breakfasts. Vegetarian options. Brochure available. One night occupation often available." |
Run by: John & Susie Stakes 
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Tel : 017687 73181 |
Rooms : 1D, 1T, 1F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Cranford House, 18 Eskin St, Keswick, CA12 4DG | |
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Tasteful, doily-free, cycle friendly and comfortable stop-off. Just a couple of minutes from the town centre. Drying facilities and secure storage. |
Run by: Carol Hallgarth 
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Tel : 017687 71017 |
Rooms : 2S, 3T/D,1D |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Twa Dogs Inn, Penrith Rd, CA12 4JU | |
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"Traditional family run concern with an atmosphere as warm as the welcome. Open fires, dominoes, darts & pool in a proper pub. Lock-up for bikes and a range of real ales for their owners." |
Run by: Peter & Marjorie Harding & family 
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Tel : 017687 72599 |
Rooms : 1T, 1F (3S & 1D), 3D. (E-S). |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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