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Coniston village is especially popular with walkers and outdoor enthusiasts primarily because of its position – at the foot of one of Cumbria’s most popular fells, the Old Man of Coniston and by the western shore of Coniston Water, at 5 miles (8km) long one of England’s largest lakes. A relic fish from the Ice Age, the Arctic Char, still inhabits these waters.
Born on the back of the copper mining and slate quarrying industries, the village today has a thriving economy based on walking, sightseeing, water sports, mountaineering, horse riding and the consumption of real ale!
North of Coniston, two spur roads lead to Tilberthwaite and the old slate quarries, now carved into a distinctive landscape of huge spoil heaps and gaping rock chasms.
Food & Drink in Coniston
Coniston is spoilt for choice with many of its cafes and restaurants having beautiful lake vistas, or are even sited by Lake Coniston itself. How about sitting on a cosy sofa in a Farmhouse tearoom overlooking the lake, or take your coffee, or perhaps something more substantial, on a café terrace, with unrivalled views across the Lake.
Many of the pubs, restaurants and cafes have intimate settings, which are warm and cosy and offer a variety of locally sourced, award-winning foods. There’s everything from Indian food, making a very good choice for vegetarians, to a marvellous selection of traditional pubs with roaring log fires, a warm and friendly service, either in the town itself or in nearby Torver.
The selection of beers are second-to-none, with Coniston having its own local brewery, there is much to try from the Bluebird Bitter to Coniston Old Man Ale.
Portions are often generous without skimping on quality with many eateries being dog-friendly. There’s classy Bistros with beautifully presented inventive cuisine and several of the eating establishments in Coniston aren’t licenced, so you need to BYOB. What better way to enjoy first class food at affordable prices.
Whatever the weather, couples and families will always find somewhere to relax and unwind and enjoy the very best of Cumbrian cuisine and hospitality.
Coniston - Culture & Heritage
This area’s history is defined by sheep, copper and slate. In the 16th century, rich seams of copper ore were found in Coppermines Valley. With little local mining expertise, German miners were drafted in to work the copper veins. Peak output for the mines was the middle of the 19th century, when most of the copper was used to line the hulls of wooden sailing vessels.
Falling copper prices and greater competition from overseas resulted in a gradual decline and the closure of the mines in 1915 – but the legacy is still visible in the abandoned shafts and open workings that are still pretty dangerous to wander into.
Much of this area was formerly monastic land owned by Furness Abbey which made its money from sheep farming, and iron ore mining and smelting. One of their estates was at Monk Coniston, now owned by the National Trust.
They bred the local Herdwick sheep – from the old Norse for ‘sheep farm’ – whose distinctive grey fleeces and short, sturdy legs were particularly suited to the rigours of living on the open fells. Many Lakeland hill farms continue to farm this old breed.
Slate quarrying developed during the 17th century in response to increased demand for building materials, particularly roofing slates. The quarries at Tilberthwaite and on the ‘Old Man' were mined systematically for around 200 years and one or two are still in operation today.
Quarrying and mining were so profitable that in 1859 a railway was built to bring out the copper and slate. In later years, the railway brought the first tourists to the area, but was subsequently closed in 1964.
Clearly such heavy industry did little to spoil the area’s natural beauty as early tourists still came to marvel at the region’s natural beaty. The influential 19th century writer and social reformer John Ruskin was so enchanted by the landscape that he once declared his house on the eastern shore of Coniston Water – a nice pile called Brantwood – to have ‘the best view in all of England.’
Did you know?
JOHN RUSKIN
John Ruskin (1819-1900), one of the most influential critics, thinkers and social reformers of his day, who inspired Tolstoy, Proust, Shaw, Oscar Wilde, the first Labour MPs, and Gandhi, amongst others. Revolted by industrialisation and rampant capitalism, he revived the local linen industry, the museum houses the finest collection of Ruskin Lace in the world.
DONALD CAMPBELL (1921–1967)
Coniston Water was the scene of an ill-fated attempt by Donald Campbell to break the water speed record. On 4 January 1967, Donald was at the helm of Bluebird K7 and travelling at around 320 mph when the boat somersaulted into the air and disappeared into the water. It was not until 2001 that the remains of Bluebird were raised from the lake bed, and has subsequently been restored and brought back to Coniston, where it can be seen in the specially built ‘Bluebird Wing’ of the Coniston Museum.
SIMON’S NICK
Simon’s Nick, ‘a fearsome crack in the rocks below Levers Water’, was where a seam of copper was worked by a miner called Simon Puchberger. He was blown up by his own explosives. His ghost is said to haunt the mine to protect what remains of the copper ore.
HALIFAX BOMBER
In October 1944 a Halifax Bomber crashed into Great Carrs, a steep mountain side behind Wetherlam. All on board were killed. One of the engines can be seen outside the Ruskin Museum.
OLD MAN OF CONISTON
'The ‘Old Man of Coniston' (SD 272 978) rising dramatically behind Coniston is one of the highest mountains in Cumbria at 803 metres. The ‘man' is the large cairn on the summit.
GERMANIC SURNAMES
The influx of German miners in the 16th century has left a legacy of Germanic surnames and patronyms among Coniston’s residents today, such as the Calkers, Knipes and Zinagles (now Senogles).
Highlights
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Nestled between Windermere and Coniston, in the heart of the Lake District. Go Ape’s hub in…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
• Sleeps 4, • Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England • Private hot tub with open…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake District's famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
Road race
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of…
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
• Sleeps up to 22 • 4 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 4-8 or together…
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Catherdral Cavern close to Coniston provide a…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better…
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
Looking for exciting family activities this Easter? Go Ape Grizedale, near Hawkshead is the perfect…
The Coppermines Valley lies directly behind Coniston village cutting a deep gash between the long…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
We train people to undertake expeditions, and also run expeditions across the UK, but mostly in the…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
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Number of results: 105
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Address
Blind Lane Car Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LQTelephone
+447852162142Ulverston
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a wild snack in Grizedale Forest.
Hawkshead
Nestled between Windermere and Coniston, in the heart of the Lake District. Go Ape’s hub in Grizedale Forest packs a punch with both action and adventure where you can test your nerve amongst the trees on one of two high rope’s courses.
Address
Glen Mary Bridge Car Park, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DPTelephone
+447852162142Coniston
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a wild snack near Yew Tree Tarn.
Torver
• Sleeps 4,
• Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England
• Private hot tub with open countryside views
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Stunning, luxurious interior
• Wifi
• Walks from the door including The Old Man of Coniston
• Wood-burning…Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake District's famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit your group - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family…
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Blind Lane Car Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LQTelephone
+447852162142Ulverston
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild snack near Windermere.
Address
John Ruskin School, Lake Road, Coniston, Cunbria, LA21 8EWTelephone
+447884490810Coniston
Road race
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after an individual - unlike the other paths though, this one has a very recent history. It is the creation of Jack Diamond, a school teacher from Coniston,…
Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. Along the way we will stop off to try a little Bushcraft. We will cover the exciting and essential skills of how to make a fire…
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
-Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of Coniston' - a popular walk for visitors.
Address
The Coniston Inn, Hawkshead Old Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AJTelephone
015394 93333Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
Tourism For All
Address
Crown Inn, Coniston, Tilberthwaite Ave, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EDTelephone
01539441243Coniston
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made with the freshest, Cumbrian produce.
Tourism For All
Address
The Coppermines Mountain Cottages, Coppermines Valley, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HJTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
• Sleeps up to 22
• 4 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 4-8 or together sleeping 22
• A total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 4 hot tubs in total
• Stunning mountain location with…Cumbria
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The extensive network of access tracks within the forest has some way marked and colour-coded mountain bike routes - which are particularly ideal for…
Address
Tilberthwaite car park, near Coniston., ConistonTelephone
07984 410230Coniston
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Catherdral Cavern close to Coniston provide a great venue to experience the thrill of abseiling. More Than Mountains only uses highly qualified and knowledgeable instrutors who are incredibly…
Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.Address
Grizedale Forest & Visitor Centre, Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJTelephone
0300 067 4495Hawkshead
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better quality mountain bikes. Please be aware that this trail is not for tag-alongs or trailers bikes.
Cumbria
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
Address
Go Ape Grizedale, Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJTelephone
01603 895500Hawkshead
Looking for exciting family activities this Easter? Go Ape Grizedale,
near Hawkshead is the perfect destination for outdoor
adventures and unforgettable memories. From 05/04/2025 to 21/04/2025,
join us for a thrilling Easter holiday experience in…Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
The Coppermines Valley lies directly behind Coniston village cutting a deep gash between the long high ridge of the main Coniston Fells and the shapely outlying summit of Weatherlam. This impressively steep valley, as its name suggests, has been of…
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