Pretty UK town in shadows of Lake District that ‘can’t survive’ without tourists

Business owners in a little Lake District town say that tourists are its lifeblood, despite the fury of some residents.

Keswick is a stunning town in the very heart of one of the UK’s most beautiful national parks which is often overlooked for more popular destinations in the Lakes.

But as its popularity is on the rise so is tension with some locals upset who are about parking issues and house prices going up, meaning it’s far more difficult for younger generations to step on the property ladder.

Rather than moaning about overtourism, however, Express.co.uk chatted to local businesses who believe tourists really are the town’s lifeblood.

Andrew Paylor, 63, runs a popular guest house called Badgers Wood which is within striking distance of the town centre. It is fully booked when we arrive to talk to him.

He said: “A lot of people don’t know about Keswick. People think that Windermere is the Lake District.”

Andrew says that Keswick became even more popular after Covid claiming “the world and their dog all wanted to come to the Lakes”.

But, despite “doom and gloom”, Andrew’s guest house is “as full as we can be” with the majority of customers being return visitors.

He added: “I think Keswick still has a feel of a town whereas Windermere is a tourist town.” Business owner Eric Houghton, 58, is married to June, 54, and runs Main Street Snack Shack.

He said: “Tourism keeps all the businesses going. The people to me who get irritated are not in business and don’t need the tourists.” Eric’s wife runs a sewing shop and they also run a taxi firm.

He added: “We depend on tourists and we couldn’t survive without them.”

A wine bar owner, who didn’t want to be named, has lived in Keswick most of her life and said that she can totally understand the town’s appeal for tourists.

She said: “We are in the heart of the national park in one of the most beautiful places in the UK. For that reason it means that [as a community] we have access to things that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a rural environment such as thriving businesses, a cinema and a theatre.

“We want to encourage people to visit – although there will be people who will feel differently who, for example, can’t find car parking spaces.”

She added: “We want people to enjoy it as much as we do.”

Fellow bar owner Lindon Bolton, 43, runs Craft Bar Keswick and agrees, saying that although he has the occasional moan, that tourists keep the town running.

He said: “We rely on the tourists. I do have a good local trade that keeps me going but without those summer months, if we didn’t have that a lot of businesses wouldn’t survive, despite the moaning that when we’re shopping for bread and milk that there’s nothing on the shelves.

“But without them [the tourists] we wouldn’t be here. It has always been a tourist town. It can be difficult but without the tourism where would we be?”

However, he says that Keswick has retained its community feel. He added: “People from the south visit Windermere and think ‘I’m in the Lakes’. As busy as Keswick gets go to Windermere and it’s just crazy.”

But Poppy Leece, 19, works in an ice cream shop in the town centre and lives in nearby Cockermouth, thinks that the town can get too busy.

She said: “It’s been really busy over the summer and I think a lot busier than last year. In the summer I actually avoid Keswick centre. All the people who live here seem to come out at winter time.”

House prices in Keswick are notoriously high due to outside interest – and although florist owner Annette Howe, 47, doesn’t mind tourists, she’s frustrated by property prices.

She said: “Without a doubt it’s becoming a problem. The village has changed and it is expensive – but I suppose that’s in line with a lot of places in the UK.”

She added: “I think the pendulum has swung too far.”