Keswick, a market town in the Lake District, has held a Royal Market Charter since 1276, granting it the legal right to run a weekly Saturday market and an annual five-day fair. Today, the market still thrives every Thursday and Saturday, with around 60 stalls offering everything from local food and drink to vintage clothes and artisan gifts.
History of the market
Before the market as it is known today existed, churchgoers would hold unofficial ones in the nearby church. The Royal Market Charter was granted to regulate trading in the town, which is nestled in the northern part of the Lake District National Park.
Lakeside walks and autumn scenery
Beyond the market, Keswick is known for its lakeside walks, which come alive in shades of gold and orange through the autumn. The Latrigg path meanders up the hill for three miles, offering panoramic views over Keswick and the nearby Derwentwater from the summit.
Another notable walk is the Castlerigg Stone Circle walking path, which follows the old railway path and then up the lane to the stone circle. The circle sits atop a natural plateau and is one of Britain's earliest, dating back to the Neolithic period. Some of its 38 stones reach up to 10 feet high.
