You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of 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?
14 mile road race around Coniston Water
Set in a quiet corner of Western Cumbria, and with panoramic views over Duddon Sands, South…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
• Sleeps 8 • 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms • Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and…
Joint adventures is based in Coniston operating throughout The Lake District. We operate all over. …
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Look for and find out about the amazing minibeasts that live in the stream! Come prepared to get…
If you want to try camping but don’t have the equipment or just don’t fancy putting up a tent then…
Our private activity sessions include ghyll scrambling, canyoning, abseiling, climbing, canoeing,…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
• Sleeps 4 • Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man • 2 bedrooms and 2…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
Guided hill walking in the Lake District. Wherever you wish to go, let us take the stress out of…
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
A peaceful and quiet retreat in the heart of the English Lake District. Yewfield is ideally…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 118
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Coniston
14 mile road race around Coniston Water
Kirkby-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.
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
• 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…
Coniston
Joint adventures is based in Coniston operating throughout The Lake District. We operate all over. Activities include Gorge scrambling and Canyoning, Kayaking and Canoeing, Raft Building, Abseiling, Archery, Bushcraft, Hill Walking, Orienteering…
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…
Ambleside
Look for and find out about the amazing minibeasts that live in the stream! Come prepared to get your feet wet or wear wellies.
Cost: £3.50 per child, accompanying adults free.
Recommended minimum age: 5 years.
No prior booking required (however…
Coniston
If you want to try camping but don’t have the equipment or just don’t fancy putting up a tent then our wooden camping pods are ideal. Open all year round, our camping pods are well-insulated, keeping you warm and dry and they come equipped with…
Our private activity sessions include ghyll scrambling, canyoning, abseiling, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, SUP boarding, archery, team building, raft building, bushcraft, and hill walking. We offer private group bookings in South Lakes Cumbria,…
Coniston
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.
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…
Coniston
• Sleeps 4
• Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man
• 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
• Fellside garden
• Slate floors
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Log-burning stove
• Spectacular views throughout
Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Ambleside
Tuesday August 9 2022
1.00am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Find out about our butterflies and help Butterfly Conservation by counting how many you see!
Indoor butterfly craft activity if the weather's wet.
Coniston
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.
Coniston
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.
Coniston
Guided hill walking in the Lake District. Wherever you wish to go, let us take the stress out of your day. Your expert local guide will navigate you every step of the way, sharing with you an insight into the history, geology & nature. Want a truly…
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…
Coniston
• Sleeps up to 16
• 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together sleeping 16
• A total of 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 3 hot tubs in total
• Large rooms, perfect for…
Cumbria
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL