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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
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Catherdral Cavern close to Coniston provide a…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
There are 8 waymarked walks and 5 waymarked cycle trails, plus the North Face trail, in the…
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park…
Race the Sun is an exhilarating triathlon-style team challenge where teams of two or four bike,…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Catherdral Cavern close to Coniston provide a…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our…
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery…
There are 8 waymarked walks and 5 waymarked cycle trails, plus the North Face trail, in the…
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park…
Race the Sun is an exhilarating triathlon-style team challenge where teams of two or four bike,…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
Show More
Prev
- 1Tanglewood
- 2Tour of Low Yewdale
- 3Hollace
- 4The Presbytery, Coniston
- 5Abseiling and Rock Climbing near Coniston with More Than Mountains
- 6Ghyll Scrambling with Genuine Adventures
- 7Forage and Nibble in Grizedale Forest
- 8Coniston Launch Co.
- 9Canoe & Bushcraft, Coniston (Age 5+) with Path to Adventure
- 10Grizedale Forest Walking Trails
- 11Grizedale Forest and Selside from Coniston
- 12The Coniston Inn
- 13Thornthwaite Farm Holiday Cottages & Glamping Cabins
- 14The Coniston Round
- 15Steam Yacht Gondola
- 16Tour of Coniston Water & the Torver Trail
- 17Coniston Park Coppice - Glamping Pods
- 18Race the Sun Lake District Coniston Off-Road
- 19The Ruskin Museum
- 20Coniston Park Coppice Site - Tent Camping
- 21Lakes & Country Escapes
- 22Buses to and through Broughton
- 23The Coppermines Lakes Cottages
- 24Forage and Feast near Coniston
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 105
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Tanglewood, Brown Howe, Coniston Water, Water Yeat, Cumbria, LA12 8DWTelephone
015394 41765Coniston Water, Water Yeat
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake frontage on Coniston Water, 2 private jetties and jaw-dropping views throughout.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths. They offer traffic free cycling along easy travel tracks passing through some very pleasant landscape. The one alongside the A593 Ambleside Road and…
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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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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
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…
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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
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
Coniston Boating Centre, Lake Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ANTelephone
017687 75753Coniston
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our crew complements your experience of this wonderful area.
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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
Grizedale Forest & Visitor Centre, Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJTelephone
0300 067 4495Hawkshead
There are 8 waymarked walks and 5 waymarked cycle trails, plus the North Face trail, in the Grizedale Forest Park. Further information is available from the visitor centre where maps for all the trails can be purchased.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The extensive network of access tracks within the forestry has some way marked and colour-coded mountain bike routes - which are particularly ideal for…
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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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Address
Thornthwaite Farm, Thornthwaite Woodland, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6DFTelephone
01229 716340Broughton-in-Furness
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four cottages including our 4 star VisitEngland Gold Award barn conversion and a handbuilt Log Cabin all with stunning views of the Lakeland fells.
Tourism For All
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…
Address
John Ruskin School, Lake Road, Coniston, Cunbria, LA21 8EWTelephone
+447884490810Coniston
Road race
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Address
Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ANConiston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft.
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…
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…
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Address
Coniston Experience Freedom Glamping, Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8LATelephone
015394 41555Coniston
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park Coppice site.
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…
