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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 Ruskin 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
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
Set in a quiet corner of Western Cumbria, and with panoramic views over Duddon Sands, South…
The Lake District is one of the best places you can visit for Stargazing and is listed in the top…
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
A trail running weekend with two unique races.
The Swim to Wild Cat Island is a classic Lake District swim right out of the pages of a storybook…
Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Birchbank Cottage is nestled on the fells between Coniston Water and the Duddon Estuary with many…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
Set in the south-west of the region the Duddon Valley is remote, unspoilt and one of the most…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises.…
Whatever your ability level, Grizedale is a fantastic place to get on the trail and enjoy the fresh…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
Situated in a stunning location next to mountains & waterfalls, the Coniston Shepherd Hut Lodges…
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Number of results: 110
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Address
Market Square, Cumbria, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6JFTelephone
+1 312-371-8210Broughton-in-Furness
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the natural world. Forest therapy (also known as forest bathing) is a slow, mindful, guided walk in nature. It isn't a…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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. You can choose from three routes: Mountain cruise, Heart of the Lake cruise or the Full Lake cruise.
Address
The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DUTelephone
015394 41164Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Address
Grizedale Campsite, Bowkerstead Farm, Satherthwaite, Cumbria, LA12 8LLTelephone
+447495405725Satherthwaite
A trail running weekend with two unique races.
Address
Coniston Water, -, Coniston, Cumbria, LA12 8DWTelephone
015394 33826Coniston
The Swim to Wild Cat Island is a classic Lake District swim right out of the pages of a storybook adventure. In true Swallows and Amazons style, we'll swim across the rippling waves of Coniston Water to reach the shores of 'Wildcat Island'. The…
Address
-Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of Coniston' - a popular walk for visitors.
Address
John Ruskin School, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EWTelephone
+447884490810Coniston
Road Race around Coniston Water
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
Birchbank, Blawith, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8EWTelephone
01229 885277Ulverston
Birchbank Cottage is nestled on the fells between Coniston Water and the Duddon Estuary with many footpaths and bridleways to walk or cycle on and enjoy views over the Duddon Estuary and over to Coniston Old Man with just the birds for company. The…
Tourism For All
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
CumbriaSet in the south-west of the region the Duddon Valley is remote, unspoilt and one of the most idyllic valleys of the Lake District.
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
Brown Howe Car Park, A5084, Coniston, Cumbria, LA12 8DWTelephone
07752205976Coniston
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided by experts for all ages, with gear provided for a tailored, scenic adventure.
Tourism For All
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
The Bridge Cottages, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HJTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
• 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…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…
Address
Tarn Hows, Tarn Hows Main Car Park, Nr Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AGTelephone
015394 41456Nr Coniston
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns together. In 1929 it was bought by Beatrix Potter who sold it to the National Trust. There is a 1.5 mile, level footpath around the tarn.
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