- Accommodation
- What's On
- Things to Do
- Food and Drink
- Explore Cumbria
- Areas of Cumbria
- Towns & Villages
- Lakes of the Lake District
- Travel
- Year of the Coast
- Dark Sky Cumbria
- World Heritage Cumbria
- Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
- Historic Houses, Parks & Gardens
- Mountains and Fells
- Wainwrights
- The National Trust in the Lake District
- Cumbrian Castles
- Cumbrian Churches
- Harbours & Marinas
- Tourist Information Centres
- Areas of Cumbria
- Ideas and Inspiration
- Starring Great Britain: The Lake District, Cumbria
- Lake District, Cumbria Bucket List
- Selfie Guide
- Suggested Itineraries
- Sunny day ideas
- Rainy day ideas
- Spa Breaks
- Romantic Breaks
- Family Holidays
- Dog Friendly Holidays
- Bespoke Holidays
- The Inn Collection Group in the Lake District
- Sustainable Stays
- Caring for the environment
- Live, Work and Study in The Lake District, Cumbria
- Starring Great Britain: The Lake District, Cumbria
- Weddings
- Conferences & Event Spaces
- Prizes & Guides
- Blog
- Plan your journey
- Special Offers
Don't Miss
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Coniston VillageConiston The Lake District
Coniston Water from BrantwoodConiston The Lake District- Tarn Hows, ConistonConiston The Lake District
- Coniston Water through the window of BrantwoodConiston The Lake District
- Coniston VillageConiston The Lake District
- Coniston Water from BrantwoodConiston The Lake District
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
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties…
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a wild…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties…
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Show More
Prev
- 1Intermediate Navigation Course with More Than Mountains (Coniston)
- 2Coniston Water
- 3Buses to and through Broughton
- 4Tour of Low Yewdale
- 5Tarn Hows
- 6Tour of Tilberthwaite and Tarn Hows
- 7Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin
- 8Coniston Water
- 9Forage and Nibble near Windermere
- 104 Seasons Fred Whitton - 3 Day Tour
- 11Ghyll Scrambling with Genuine Adventures
- 12Tour of Coniston Water & the Torver Trail
- 13Hollace
- 14Lakes & Country Escapes
- 15Spoon Hall Caravans
- 16The Crown Inn, Coniston - Food & Drink
- 17Scrambling near Coniston with More Than Mountains
- 18The Presbytery, Coniston
- 19Tour of Yewdale and Tilberthwaite
- 20Buses to and through Coniston
- 21Canoe & Bushcraft, Coniston (Age 5+) with Path to Adventure
- 22Herdwick Experience at Yew Tree Farm
- 23Thornthwaite Farm Holiday Cottages & Glamping Cabins
- 24Tarn Hows Cycle Route
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Search
- Accommodation
- Things to Do
- What's On
- Food & Drink
-
Towns & Villages
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Towns & Villages
Towns & Villages
Number of results: 105
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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
The Estate Office, The Bridge, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HJTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and refurbished to a high standard. Many have outstanding views, log fires, exposed beams, antique furniture, quality and great character
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton Bike Tour follows the annual sportive route but can be completed 365 days a year at your own pace. It's a fantastic opportunity for individuals, groups…
-
Coniston
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village
• Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6 bathrooms
• Lake views and open fire
• Large lounge & dining room, ideal for get-togethers
• Perfect adventure base for those wanting to explore everything the… Address
The Herdwick Experience, Yew Tree Farm, Consiton, Cumbria, LA21 8DPTelephone
01539441433Consiton
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting the Herdwicks!
Tourism For All
Address
CumbriaTelephone
01539 822222Not a light undertaking with some challenging climbing, particularly the infamous Walna Scar Road.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the Sun Hotel. It was connected to the Furness Railway at Foxfield but sadly it was abandoned in 1958. The track bed has since then been unused (apart…
Cumbria
Buses to and through Coniston:
Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston.
X12 Coniston - Spark Bridge - Ulverston.
Cross Lakes Experience 525 Bowness - Ferry House - Hawkshead - Coniston (seasonal).X12 Coniston - Ulverston.
Coniston
The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race which has ever taken place within the UK. The circular route encompasses the whole of the lakeland fells, includes in the region of 6300m of ascent…
Cumbria
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
-
Address
Spoon Hall, Haws Bank, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AWTelephone
015394 41391Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
Tourism For All
-
Address
High Hollin Bank, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AGTelephone
015394 41680Coniston
We are a small family run cottage letting business in Central Lakeland. Our five traditional cottages are in Langdale, Grasmere, Ambleside and Coniston.
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…
Address
Longlands Caravan Holiday Park, Croglin, Kirkby-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA17 7XZKirkby-in-Furness
Set in a quiet corner of Western Cumbria, and with panoramic views over Duddon Sands, South Lakeland and beyond; Longlands is a private holiday park offering its residents a luxurious oasis of calm.
Address
Coniston Sports Ground, Sherpherds Bridge Ln, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ALTelephone
01403 210406Coniston
Race the Sun is an exhilarating triathlon-style team challenge where teams of two or four bike, hike, and paddle around a stunning course in the Lake District, racing to finish between dawn and dusk. Featuring an exciting off-road cycling section…
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.
-
Address
Brantwood, East of Lake, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ADTelephone
015394 49025Coniston
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises. Parties and groups catered for. Outside seating on the terrace overlooking the lake.
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.
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
Various Locations, The Lake District, CumbriaTelephone
07967 630956The Lake District
We train people to undertake expeditions, and also run expeditions across the UK, but mostly in the wilder corners of Great Britain. All expeditions are led by highly experienced, qualified and insured instructors.
