01/06/2026
ONE BUS TICKET. ONE BACKPACK. ONE KESWICK ADVENTURE.
Last weekend, I stayed in Keswick for two nights.
As many of you know, I’m currently working my way through all 214 Wainwrights, the fells described by Alfred Wainwright across his seven famous guidebooks to the Lake District.
The original plan was simple: use Keswick as a base for a couple of big days on the fells.
What I didn’t expect was to be reminded just how much there is to do in the town itself.
I jumped on the bus from Kendal on Thursday and arrived to less-than-ideal weather. The fells were off the cards for the day, but staying indoors wasn’t an option.
After dropping my backpack off, I headed into town and, of course, made my way to Moot Hall. For anyone interested in fell running, this building is iconic. It’s the official start and finish point of the Bob Graham Round, the legendary challenge of covering 42 Lake District peaks in under 24 hours.
Directly opposite sits The Round pub, named after the challenge itself. Great burgers, great atmosphere and definitely worth a visit if you’re in Keswick.
Later, I walked down to Friars Crag. It’s only a short stroll from town, but the views are anything but ordinary. Looking out across Derwent Water towards Cat Bells and the Jaws of Borrowdale, it’s easy to understand why it’s often described as one of the best viewpoints in the Lake District.
The following two days were spent properly out on the fells, with big routes starting from Grisedale Pike and Cat Bells... but those are stories for another day.
What this trip reminded me is that Keswick isn’t just a gateway to the mountains.
It’s a destination in its own right.
Whether you’re heading out for a Wainwright, grabbing a coffee, learning about the area’s rich fell-running history or simply enjoying the views by the water, there’s always something waiting around the corner.
Have you been to Keswick before? ⛰️
