You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Coniston
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.
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.
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?
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
Set in the south-west of the region the Duddon Valley is remote, unspoilt and one of the most…
Offering peace and tranquillity, enclosed in 38 acres of glorious woodland, 5 Star rated Black Beck…
Generally you expect to find long rolling descents on mountain bike routes in the higher peaks and…
The Lake District is one of the best places you can visit for Stargazing and is listed in the top…
Luxury Cottage set in the heart of the Lake District, between Windermere and Coniston, Lands End…
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises.…
Enjoy cruising aboard 1920's launches with solar-electric power. A unique and environmentally…
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
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…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race…
• Sleeps 4, • Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England • Private hot tub with open…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
• Sleeps 4 • Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man • 2 bedrooms and 2…
Our ghyll scrambling, gorge walking & canyoning experiences around Coniston suit most fitness…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 115
, currently showing 81 to 100.
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his children's book Swallows and Amazons on the Lake.
The Lake District is one of the best places you can visit for Stargazing and is listed in the top 5% of the darkest places in Britain. On a clear evening, we are able to see thousands of stars and constellations including the spectacular Milky Way.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsEast of Lake, Coniston
Out First food & folk night was a huge success, selling out after just 3 weeks so we've decided to host Food & Folk #2. We invite you to another evening full of Food & Folk.
For just £35 per person and including Chef's snack & welcome drink on…
Coniston
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our crew complements your experience of this wonderful area.
Cumbria
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
• 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…
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
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous clean-cut walls and deep-water filled hollows bear testament to this. They have been idle for many decades and nature has pretty much reclaimed them…
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
Coniston
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic village of Coniston.
Our Guided Mountain Days are perfect for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. Get ready to explore the breathtaking scenery of…
Coniston
• Sleeps 4
• Outstanding lake views
• Private balcony and garden
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Open fire
• Village location close to several pubs and shops
Coniston
Join us on a tranquil night-time canoe paddle on Coniston Water and enjoy the beauty and vastness of the night sky in the heart of the Lake District.
It is an evening full of adventure, star gazing, stories and mythology and of course lots of fun!…
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
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…
Cumbria
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a walk. A mixture of paths and tracks weave in and out of the trees and across parkland never straying out of sight of the lake. And, with only a few…
Ambleside
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3 reviewsCONISTON
With 250 spaces and only £6 for the whole day, enjoy time in Coniston and the surrounding area knowing that there will be somewhere to park when you arrive and no penalty notice when you get back – however late that might be!
CONISTON
Pay and display car park with 25 spaces. Open 7 days a week. Charges apply every day from 9am to 6pm.
This car park is above the village and is on the site of the long dismantled Coniston Railway station.
CONISTON
Free parking area with space for around 25. There is a donation box for the Lake District National Park Authority located at the car park.
Tilberthwaite Ghyll car park is a large layby close to Tilberthwaite Farm. The parking area is accessed via a…
Grizedale
Nestling right in the heart of the Lake District between Windermere and Coniston, Grizedale Forest offers a full range of activities from gentle walks to swinging through the trees with GoApe, from a leisurely meal in the café to exhilarating…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL