The C2C Guide - the definitive resource centre for the Sea to Sea cycle route

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.

accommodation
Please try to book accommodation in advance and give as much notice as possible if you have to cancel the booking so the room can be re-let otherwise your deposit may be forfeited. Also if you are going to be late arriving at your accommodation it is always a good idea to ring and let the proprietor know so they can keep your room open for you.

Remember to double check all details with the establishment as this guide cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions nor for any loss arising as a result.

When booking accommodation please mention the C2C Guide website.

Powe House

Andrew & Helen Carey, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RW

Tel : 017687 73611

Web : www.powehouse.com

Email : andrewandhelen@powehouse.com

Rooms .... 5D (3 of which can become twins) plus 1S

B&B .... from £32

Packed lunch .... from £4

VisitBritain 4-stars Silver Award .... On route

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. Close to the well known Farmers Arms gastropub.

The Mount

Tony Mannion, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5RD

Tel : 017687 73970

Web : www.mountferguson.co.uk

Email : mount.ferguson@virgin.net

Rooms .... 1S,3D,1T.

B&B .... £32

Packed Lunch .... £6

Distance from C2C .... On route

Friendly, family run
and comfortable B&B in quiet setting. En-suite
rooms. Splendid lake/fell views. Excellent breakfasts
with vegetarian option.

Denton House

Rebecca Chaffer, Penrith Rd, Keswick, CA12 4JW

Tel : 01768 775351

Web : www.vividevents.co.uk

Email : sales@vividevents.co.uk

Rooms .... 8 containing 58 bunk beds

B&B .... £13 during week. £14 weekends. Breakfast for groups of 10 or more: £3.

Packed lunch .... £5 (groups only)

Evening meal .... From £5 (groups only)

Pub: 200m .... On route

Budget
accommodation run by Rebecca and Cedric's bright new company,
Vivid Events. This is a big, friendly outdoor hostel,
full of youngsters. Lots of fun and cheerful. Group bookings welcome by arrangement.

The Queens Hotel

Duty Manager, Main St, CA12 5JF

Tel : 01768 773333

Web : www.queenshotel.co.uk

Email : info@queenshotel.co.uk

Rooms .... 5S, 12T/F, 18D

B&B .... from Â£40 (special deals available)

Evening Meal .... Bar meals - main courses Â£6-Â£8

Packed Lunch .... By arrangement

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.

Pitcairn House

Steve and Heather Hendy, 7 Blencathra St, CA12 4HW

Tel : 017687 72453

Web : www.pitcairnhouse.co.uk

Email : enquiries@pitcairnhouse.co.uk

Rooms .... 6 D/S, 1 T, 1 Tpl.

B&B .... £27.50-£32.50

Packed lunch .... from £3.50 (please order in advance)

Nearest pubs .... 2 minutes walk

Big and warm Victorian family run town house that has been a guest house since 1901. There is a secure area at the back for bikes and Steve and Heather welcome cyclists. Big fry in the morning if you wish.

Beckside

Tracey and Andrew Graham, 5 Wordsworth St, CA12 4HU

Tel : 017687 73093

Web : www.beckside-keswick.co.uk

Email : info@beckside-keswick.co.uk

Rooms .... 2D, 1T/F

B&B .... Â£26.50-Â£30

PL .... On request - prior notice

VisitBritain .... 4-stars

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.

Springs Farm

Hazel Hutton, Springs Rd, CA12 4AN

Tel : 017687 72144

Mob : 07816 824253

Web : www.springsfarmcumbria.co.uk

Email : info@springsfarmcumbria.co.uk

Rooms .... 2D, 1T

B&B .... £34-£36

Nearest pub .... 1 mille to town centre

VisitBritain .... 3 star accommodation, 4 star cottages

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. There are also two cottages sleeping 6 and 2 available for rent.

Honister House

John & Susie Stakes, 1 Borrowdale Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DD

Tel : 017687 73181

Web : www.honisterhouse.co.uk

Email : honisterhouse@btconnect.com

Rooms .... 1D, 1T, 1F

B&B .... £34 - £37.

PL .... £4

AA 4-stars & AA Breakfast Award .... Pub 1 minute

"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."

Cranford House

Carol Hallgarth, 18 Eskin St, Keswick, CA12 4DG

Tel : 017687 71017

Web : www.cranfordhouse.co.uk

Email : carolcranfordhouse@tiscali.co.uk

Rooms .... 2S, 3T/D,1D

B&B .... £25-£28

Packed lunch .... £4

Tasteful, doily-free, cycle friendly and comfortable stop-off. Just a couple of minutes from the town centre. Drying facilities and secure storage.

Langdale Guest House

Lorraine Shipman, 14 Leonard St, CA12 4EL

Tel : 017687 73977

Web : www.langdalekeswick.com

Email : s.g-s_@tiscali.co.uk

Rooms .... 2T, 3D, 1F

B&B .... £27-£32

PL .... £5

Secure area for bikes in this cycle friendly establishment, under new ownership since the end of 2006. Solid Victorian townhouse less than a minute's walk to the town centre. Veggie options for breakfast.

Twa Dogs Inn

Peter & Marjorie Harding & Family, Penrith Rd, CA12 4JU

Tel : 017687 72599

Web : www.twadogs.co.uk

Rooms .... 1T, 1F (3S & 1D), 3D. (E-S).

B&B .... £30pp. Kids negotiable

EM .... From £6.95

PL .... £5

Distance from C2C .... Just above the railway line coming out of Keswick

"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."