Coniston Steam Yacht Gondola & Bluebird at the Ruskin Museum

Written by: Peter

Location: Coniston
Venues: Steam Yacht Gondola & The Ruskin Museum
Duration: 1/2 day

As part of Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary, the team are trying out 50 different tourism experiences throughout the year – to help inspire your own days out across the Lake District, Cumbria. On this experience day, Peter Marshall and Rob Cowley visited Coniston to combine two very special experiences...

How about taking a Lake District day trip back in time?

One way to do this is by enjoying a journey on the National Trust’s fabulous historic Steam Yacht Gondola which carries passengers on leisurely trips over Coniston Water.

The gentle chugging of the steam engine on this re-built yacht adds a nostalgic feel to this journey as you sit either on the open deck under blue skies or head below into the opulent seating areas once loved by wealthy Victorian tourists.

One of the real joys of this journey is the chance to chat with the knowledgeable crew who are passionate about preserving and keeping this little piece of history running.

Our skipper on the day turned out to be the youngest ever captain of the historic Steam Yacht Gondola – and despite his young age (mid 20’s) he had such a wealth of knowledge both about the vessel and the surrounding area.

It was a pleasure to listen to his detailed commentary about the vessel and Coniston Water and to be able to ask your own questions as he showed you the views from the wheelhouse – talk about the best “office view” in the land!

You can choose from three routes – the Full Lake cruise, the North Lake cruise or the Heart of the Lake cruise – we took the North Lake Cruise and it’s simply stunning! You can even hop off at Brantwood jetty to take a visit to the former home of the Victorian artist and writer John Ruskin.     

Once over, and after a delightful refreshment at the waterside Bluebird Café, we headed into the village of Coniston and made for the Ruskin Museum. It’s very much in the news this year as Donald Campbell’s famous jet hydroplane Bluebird K7 has now returned to its spiritual home.

It’s attracting a lot of visitors but as you enter the purpose built Bluebird Wing there’s a reverential hush as people set eyes on the famous craft and soak up the history and personal tragedy surrounding it.

Earlier, on the Steam Yacht Gondola, we had passed the very spot on Coniston Water where Donald Campbell fatally lost control of Bluebird in his lifelong quest for a new world water speed record. To see Bluebird in front of you - and not just in grainy newsreel footage – feels like a privilege. A fitting way to end a day in Coniston.

The Steam Yacht Gondola operates three sailing routes on Coniston Water on various dates throughout the year. Please see the website below for sailing times and availability. The Ruskin Museum is open every day from 10am with last entry at 4.30pm. This includes Bank Holidays.

For more information visit:

Steam Yacht Gondola website

The Ruskin Museum website

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