Fitz Park, Keswick stands either side of Station Road and alongside a section of the R. Greta. The River flows across this section of the floor of the glaciated valley on land above the glacial lakes to the north and south, Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater respectively. ‘Upper’ Fitz Park is the larger of the two sections and is mostly given over to playing fields (the picture above shows the main pavilion with the valley-side rising up just beyond the town as well as a classic post-glacial V-shaped valley carved into the mountain side). On the other side of Station Road the ‘Lower’ Park is mostly a fine arboretum with winding surface paths and benches as well as a small putting green, bowling green and grass-court tennis courts. It struck me as being so neat and tidy with every patch of soil covered with wood chippings carefully edged – then a notice explained this. In 2015 the park was completely ravaged by flood-water from theRiver and the restoration process is ongoing although seems near completion. Apparently much of the work has been done by volunteers and much of the necessary funding raised by private subscription.
Although I was not able to visit them (although clear with excellent views it was bitterly cold) there are two other public parks in Keswick, Crow Park on the banks of Derwentwater this linking to Hope Park nearer the town itself. Crow Park is described as an expanse of grass whereas Hope Park is more characterised by formal planted beds these, if viewed from the south, with he dramatic backdrop of Skiddaw.
Keswick Museum stands beside Station Road in the ‘Upper’ Park. Did not go in as dogs not allowed.
Seeing the water tumbling over the rocks of the River Greta’s bed and to imagine that volume increased a hundred fold is scary – like a primeval post-glacial melt-water deluge.