A couple of YouTubers who visited one of the UK’s most expensive market towns were immediately met with a problem when they arrived. Andy and Claire Stocks, known as St Christopher of Atlantis, decided to visit the town of Keswick to see if it was worth the money.
The Cumbrian town was home to around 4,658 people in the 2021 census. But it is thought that around 40 per cent of the homes in the town remain unoccupied, with around half of the houses that are sold being subsequently used for tourism.
According to Rightmove the average cost of a property in Keswick is around £359,880. Despite there being a five percent drop year-on-year for house prices, Andy says some people “aren’t very happy” about the tourism boom.
On a video on his channel, he said: “Fifty percent of the houses that are sold go to the tourist market. Some people aren’t very happy because it keeps driving the houses up. But first impressions, and I’ve never been to Keswick before, are that it’s beautiful.”
Upon arriving in Keswick the couple are met with the historic Moot Hall, a Grade II-listed property in the town centre. Built in 1813, the hall has its origins as a medieval courthouse before being used for the weighing and storing of copper.
The building was more recently used as a tourist information centre after the Lake District National Park Authority leased the entire building from Allerdale Borough Council. Andy however noticed one big problem with the building.
He explained: “This clock tower and the clock on it has only got one hand on it. It’s always been like that and the reason being is because they didn’t really need anything specific.”
After visiting the town centre, the couple took in a number of sights in the area, including Derwentwater. The stunning waterway boasts an eight-mile lakeside walk with the iconic Cat Bells to the west and a spectacular view of Friar’s Crag to the east.
Andy and Claire soon discovered what they thought to be a number of holiday homes however. Taking a walk down one Keswick street, Andy said: “Because these are being bought for people to come, they’re pricing people that live here out of the market.”
According to Visit Cumbria, around 20,000 people a year visit the Lake District town. They are often drawn to the town’s history as well as the walking and adventuring routes offered by the Lake District.
Taking in the views at Derwent, Andy remarked: “Look at that, it’s a beautiful view. There’s all these benches where you can sit and have a look, and spend your time.”
The couple concluded that Keswick is somewhere they would be happy to return to in the future. Andy said: “One thing I’m going to say about this place is - I want to come back.”
He added: “Keswick has still kept its charm despite having tourist places. I would say that this is my favourite place on this tour of the Lake District.”
