Paraffin Alley, Keswick, Cumbria

Keswick,

A Cumbrian passageway with odorous connotations.

54.6004265288333, -3.1365613860550274

As with so many obscure place names of old, the clue to the nomenclature of the not entirely complimentary-sounding Paraffin Alley lies in the name. The passageway is said to take its name from an ironmonger's shop that was once situated here. An area behind the premises was used to store paraffin, which gave the alley a faint odour in bygone days. However, the street sign was reportedly not installed until 2008, following a local campaign to recognise this offbeat slice of local history.

Where?

Paraffin Alley is located opposite the Royal Oak pub between St John's Street and the Market Square.

Sources:
https://lachlans.photos/2020/05/10/keswick-paraffin-alley/
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1921907

Getting there

Public -

Opening times

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Author Tom Moran

Added on 14/08/2026

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