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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
Not a light undertaking with some challenging climbing, particularly the infamous Walna Scar Road.
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
A rare opportunity to explore an award-winning artists' residency and its beautiful gardens, set in…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
We are a small family run cottage letting business in Central Lakeland. Our five traditional…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better…
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.…
Not a light undertaking with some challenging climbing, particularly the infamous Walna Scar Road.
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
A rare opportunity to explore an award-winning artists' residency and its beautiful gardens, set in…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
We are a small family run cottage letting business in Central Lakeland. Our five traditional…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better…
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.…
Not a light undertaking with some challenging climbing, particularly the infamous Walna Scar Road.
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Show More
Prev
- 1The Yewdale Inn
- 2Tour of Low Yewdale
- 3Buses to and through Coniston
- 4Lawson Park Open House & Garden
- 5Yewdale and Tarn Hows
- 64 Seasons Fred Whitton - 4 Day Tour
- 7Cottagescumbria.com
- 8Tour of Tilberthwaite and Tarn Hows
- 9Grizedale Mountain Biking Trails
- 10Herdwick Experience at Yew Tree Farm
- 11Western Shore of Coniston Water
- 12Hollace
- 13Forage and Nibble in Grizedale Forest
- 14The Bridge Cottages, Coniston
- 15Montane Lakeland 50 & 100
- 16Tarn Hows
- 17Forage and Nibble near Coniston
- 18Buses to and through Broughton
- 19The Crown Inn, Coniston - Food & Drink
- 20Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin
- 21Spoon Hall Caravans
- 22Duddon Valley
- 23Coniston Water
- 24Coniston Water
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 105
, currently showing 61 to 80.
Address
Biketreks Grizedale, Grizedale Forest, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QJTelephone
015394 31245Ambleside
Biketreks Grizedale is a bike hire centre and shop in Grizedale Forest, offering mountain bike and E-Bike hire all year round. Our shop stocks a wide range of clothing, accessories and new and ex-hire bikes.
Tourism For All
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Address
Old Station Car Park, Old Furness Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HUTelephone
07752205976Coniston
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain streams, with jumps, slides, and stunning views, guided by experts for all skill levels.
Tourism For All
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
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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, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of Dow Crag. These two fine mountains are a big enough draw to spirited walkers but, add to this the stunning array of peaks stacked up behind them and…
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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
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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
15 Yewdale Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DUTelephone
01539 441823Coniston
A product of Dublin's famous club An Góilin Traditional Singers, since launching his own solo live career at the 2016 Celtic Connections, Daoirí Farrell has gone from strength to strength. On the verge of releasing his fourth solo album in early…
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.
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Coniston
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the outskirts of Torver, yet with all the amenities of Coniston close at hand, make Hollace the perfect choice for those looking for a spectacular…
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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
Lawson Park, East of Lake, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ADTelephone
015394 41050Coniston
A rare opportunity to explore an award-winning artists' residency and its beautiful gardens, set in an epic location above Coniston Water
Enjoy what neighbour John Ruskin called 'the best view in Europe' from Lawson Park, high above Coniston Water -…-
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.
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Address
Coniston Experience Freedom Glamping, Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8LATelephone
015394 41555Coniston
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site we welcome tent campers and can accommodate tents of up to 3mx3m (approximately a 4-person tent). Dogs are welcome too.
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Coniston
• Sleeps 8
• 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
• Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and woodland
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Idyllic location close to village and lake
• Stunning interior which has been recently renovated to an exceptional… Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.-
Address
Mill Pool Barn, Torver Mill, Cumbria, LA21 8BJTelephone
015394 41765Torver Mill
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2
• Idyllic riverside location
• Secluded gardens
• Views of Coniston Old Man
• Fantastic walking and mountain biking from the doorstep
• Beautiful, luxury interior
• EV charger
• Secure bike storage Address
-Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of Coniston' - a popular walk for visitors.
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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
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and fells. However, tucked away amongst the low fells around Tilberthwaite and Tarn Hows are two trails that break this convention. The first one is an…
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
