Keswick things to see

The old town is the main tourist centre of northern Lakeland. It developed as a focus for the mining industry in Elizabethan times. At that time German miners were brought in to exploit the lead and copper deposits in the hills. Graphite was also mined in Borrowdale and this led to the establishment of the pencil factory, which has since operated with imported material Windermere hotel with swimming pool .

The Moot Hall in the market place seems to perpetuate the German influence. Fitz Park is a pleasant area for relaxation, and the adjacent museum contains many quaint and interesting exhibits. Some relate to the town's numerous literary connections. The poets Southey and Coleridge lived at Greta Hall, formerly part of Keswick School. The parish church at Crosthwaite stands to the north of the town. Southey is buried here and there is a memorial to him. A former vicar, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, a founder of the National Trust and a prolific writer, is also buried and commemorated here. Hugh Walpole lived nearby in Borrowdale and is buried at St John's church.

This village and its more attractive neighbour Maulds Meaburn lie in the valley of the river Lyvennet, which flows parallel to, but 6 miles (10 km) west of, the river Eden. Quiet roads link the villages with Crosby Ravensworth to the south and Morland to the north and pro vide one the most delightful pastoral journeys in the whole of Cumbria. This lovely small town has many good Georgian buildings. Old streets such as Swine market and Horsemarket indicate former uses and make for enjoyable quiet wandering, except perhaps on market days. On the edge of the town, the beautiful Devil's Bridge spans the river Lune with its interesting rock formations. The church is noteworthy, as is Ruskin's View from the north side of the churchyard. Church of St Mary the Virgin.

The town of Kirkby Stephen lies 5 miles (8 km) east of Brough on the A685, which links the A66 with the M6 at Tebay (junction 38). Near the fine old church is the building which was formerly the grammar school, founded by Lord Wharton in the sixteenth century. The wide main street is a popular halt for people travelling between Lakeland and the northeast, so there is a variety of eating places. On the south of the town, Stenketh Park has spectacular river scenery where the Eden cascades into a ravine. Near here the B6270 climbs through Nateby to the moors of the Dales National Park and on towards Swaledale. To the north and west are byroads leading to pretty villages such as Great Asby and Crosby Ravensworth, and over lovely open limestone scenery.

Longtown Because Longtown lies in the 'debatable lands' repeatedly ravaged by both Scots and English, it has no ancient buildings. The present settlement was laid out in the eighteenth century as a planned town by Dr Robert Graham, whose family occupied the nearby Netherby estate until recent times. The village is in the ancient parish of Arthuret. Much has been written, though little substantiated, about King Arthur's connections with this place. The church of St Michael and All An gels lies to the south overlooking the river Esk. It is is large and impressive, with several unusual features, including a magnificent east window and a font with a nine sided bowl.

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