Keswick

[Eve]

A group of friends are going up the the Lakes this weekend to climb Scarfell Pike and I'm tagging along for the day.

My arthritis means I wouldn't make it up Scarfell so I'm going to grab a bus into Keswick for the day with my camera.

I haven't been there before and wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to where to go and what to see. I will be walking everywhere and want to take loads of photos :)

Thank you for any suggestions.

[Buenchico]

Any use?
http://www.keswick.org/attractions.asp

Chris

[MarkRae]

It really depends what your interests are. Keswick is a pretty enough small town, but nothing out of the ordinary. The countryside surrounding it, however, is among the most beautiful and breathtaking in these islands.

Why not walk round Derwent Water instead...?

[Count-A-Strong]

would agree with Mark. The scenery around Keswick and Derwentwater is the best in the Lakes. Do you think you could manage Cat Bells which is only about a third as high as Scaffel and affords superb views of Derwentwater? If your into photography there are some good galleries in Keswick.

[TheOtherHalf]

Ive been up many mountains in the Lakes and I suffer with arthur. I agree that Cat Bells would probably be the easiest and beautiful views from the summit. But relaxing in Keswick would be wonderful. Enjoy it.

[VHG]

Keswick is NEAR (though not ON) Derwent Water.

It is short walk from the centre of Keswick to the lake edge (down Lake Road), and the lake side is a lovely place.

I seem to remember there is a cafe at the lake side, and you can feed the ducks. Nice views so plenty of chances for photos.

Scafell Pike towers over the town of Keswick so plenty of opportunities for some great photos of rooftops with the hills in the background.

There MAY be a bus in Keswick that takes you on a tour of the local area. Mountain Goat do run bus tours.

http://www.mountain-goat.com/

There is a Tourist Information Centre in Keswick so they will be able to help find you something to do

http://www.keswick.org/

[VHG]

Keswick used to have a railway station, and it is interesting to visit the site of the old station and the victorian hotel next door.

You get there along Station road (surprise surprise).

There is also a nice river near the old station and there is a fine flat path that runs alongside it if you can manage some walking.

If you go into Google Maps and search on Keswick you can get a plan of the town to help you plan your day.

[VHG]

btw I climbed Scafell Pike a few years ago, and it is a real slog to the top. You meet so many people coming down who have given up and are turning back.

You may have a nicer day looking round Keswick and going to the lake side (or going on a bus tour)

[LCDMAN]

Lakeland Pencil Museum, not as dull as it sounds - brilliant in fact.

[Eve]

Thank you all so much!

I am definitely hoping to go to the lake and have a wander round there.

Am hoping to do one of the smaller hills in the future. Will be on my own which is all good by me (as long as I have my camera I'm happy) while the others are climbing Scarfell and apparantly there is no mobile reception so limited in time to get back to meet them and don't have proper gear like decent footwear and waterproofs so am taking the sensible option :)

Am hoping there is some kind of mobile reception though, was boggling my mind a few weeks ago in Snowdonia (part of a support team for some friends doing the Welsh 3000's) that we could speak to people on top of Snowdon!

Taking it a little easy too as my knees haven't quite forgiven me from last weekend when I challenged myself to climb up to Peveril Castle from Castleton while the others were going up Mam Tor. Managed to co-ordinate being able to wave to them from up there though which was pretty special and a stunning view!

Just keeping my fingers crossed the weather is nice to me tomorrow, can't wait :)

[MarkRae]

Mobile reception in the Lake District has always been sporadic at best. I usually stay at Armaithwate Hall, but even 100m from the hotel there is no reception at all.

And I sympathise fully (and personally) re the arthritis...

[Buenchico]

Take a brolly!
http://news.bbc.co.uk...sPerPage=10®ion=uk

[Eve]

Haha, yes it was a bit wet! Arrived in Seatoller to torrential rain and the walkers, most of whom camped overnight, in a bit of disarray. A small group had gone up Scafell but the leader and her fella were going home and the others were not sure what to do so ended up at the Scafell Inn down the road for coffee unti they decided to do half of Scafell but suited me as I got to see them for longer, nice hot coffee and a lift into Keswick :)

Market was on so treated myself to a hot roast pork barm then headed to the lakeside. Bit of rain dodging and duck/geese photography then decided to brace it outside on a boat on the lake. It was stunning and quite atmospheric with all the brooding clouds over the mountains.

Wandered around a bit after the boat trip and tried some flying gull photography wishing I had an SLR then headed back up into Keswick via Hope Park (?). They've got a bird watching area which is fantastic, bascially a wooden enclosure with feeders in and peep holes so got distracted by that for ages before heading back up for a proper wander round Keswick, cosy Costa moment when the rain came down again then a wander down by the river before getting picked up.

Shame about the weather but it was a lovely day and lovely and arthritis proof :) I sometimes feel a bit jealous of the walkers but I always have a lovely day pottering around by myself with my camera.

I was limited on time (had to get back to Manchester for a friend's birthday) but definitely want to go back and walk round some of the lake and maybe try some of the gentler hills like Catbells.

Thank you all for your help!