Living in Keswick and Penrith

Keswick and Penrith are linked by bus, and both put the Lake District within easy reach. If you are thinking of renting one of our homes in either town, this short guide covers the outdoors, getting about and the local services you are likely to need first. One thing to know straight away: the two towns have different councils.

The Lake District

The National Park Authority describes the Lake District as England's largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status it gained in 2017.

Keswick is one of the larger towns in the Lake District, and Derwentwater is just a 10-minute walk from the town centre. The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail is a flat, family-friendly route of about 10 km there and back. The Authority's Keswick page also points to Castlerigg Stone Circle, thought to be 1,000 years older than Stonehenge, and to Whinlatter Forest, five miles north of the town, with walking and mountain bike trails.

Penrith

Penrith Castle Park sits opposite the railway station. It takes its name from Penrith Castle, built over some 70 years from 1399 and now looked after by English Heritage. The park has flower beds, mature trees, a playground, tennis courts and a bandstand, and dogs are allowed on a lead.

Getting around

Penrith station is on the West Coast Main Line, which the National Park Authority says connects Penrith with London and Glasgow. The X4 and X5 buses run between Penrith and Keswick, and the 508 bus runs every day from Penrith into the Ullswater valley.

Council services

• Keswick is covered by Cumberland Council, which handles bins, council tax and Keswick Library.
• Penrith is covered by Westmorland and Furness Council, which handles bins, council tax and Penrith Library. Penrith Library can also help with bus pass applications.

Find out more

• Cumberland Council: bin collection days
• Cumberland Council: council tax
• Cumberland Council: Keswick Library
• Westmorland and Furness Council: bin collection days
• Westmorland and Furness Council: council tax
• Westmorland and Furness Council: Penrith Library
• Westmorland and Furness Council: Penrith Castle Park
• Lake District National Park: Derwentwater and Keswick
• Lake District National Park: getting to and around
• National Rail: Penrith (North Lakes) station