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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 RuskinJohn 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 are now undergoing restoration.
- Simon's NickSimon’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 BomberIn October 1944 a Halifax Bomber crashed into Great Carrs, a steep mountain side behind Wetherlam. All on board were killed. A memorial cross and plaque now stands at the site. 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 SurnamesThe 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
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
Race the Sun is an exhilarating triathlon-style team challenge where teams of two or four bike,…
Set in the south-west of the region the Duddon Valley is remote, unspoilt and one of the most…
Road race
We offer a variety of Bushcraft experiences that will delight and inspire the youngest to the…
If you want to try camping but don’t have the equipment or just don’t fancy putting up a tent then…
Series of matinee piano recitals showcasing talented concert pianists in the exquisite venue of…
Nestled between Windermere and Coniston, in the heart of the Lake District. Go Ape’s hub in…
The Coppermines Valley lies directly behind Coniston village cutting a deep gash between the long…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
The Lake District Swim Yoga Retreat. We love swimming, but we also love yoga and between the two…
• Sleeps 4, • Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England • Private hot tub with open…
We train people to undertake expeditions, and also run expeditions across the UK, but mostly in the…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Each of the three roads out of Coniston village are traced for part of their route by cycle paths.…
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises.…
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties…
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Number of results: 100
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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
Crown Inn, Coniston, Tilberthwaite Ave, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EDTelephone
01539441243Coniston
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made with the freshest, Cumbrian produce.
Tourism For All
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…
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
John Ruskin School, Lake Road, Coniston, Cunbria, LA21 8EWTelephone
+447884490810Coniston
Road race
We offer a variety of Bushcraft experiences that will delight and inspire the youngest to the oldest adventurer. With survival at its core, we explore this ancient art and follow in the footsteps of our ancestors.
Address
Coniston Experience Freedom Glamping, Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8LATelephone
015394 41555Coniston
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…
Address
Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin, Brantwood, East of Lake, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ADTelephone
015394 41396East of Lake, Coniston
Series of matinee piano recitals showcasing talented concert pianists in the exquisite venue of Brantwood.
Hawkshead
Nestled between Windermere and Coniston, in the heart of the Lake District. Go Ape’s hub in Grizedale Forest packs a punch with both action and adventure where you can test your nerve amongst the trees on one of two high rope’s courses.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
The Coppermines Valley lies directly behind Coniston village cutting a deep gash between the long high ridge of the main Coniston Fells and the shapely outlying summit of Weatherlam. This impressively steep valley, as its name suggests, has been of…
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
Yewfield Vegetarian Guest House, Hawkshead Hill, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0PRTelephone
015394 33826Ambleside
The Lake District Swim Yoga Retreat.
We love swimming, but we also love yoga and between the two they can keep our lives on an even keel. This trip seeks to offer some lovely wild swimming, in true Swim the Lakes style combined with an excellent…Torver
• Sleeps 4,
• Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England
• Private hot tub with open countryside views
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Stunning, luxurious interior
• Wifi
• Walks from the door including The Old Man of Coniston
• Wood-burning…Address
Various Locations, The Lake District, CumbriaTelephone
07967 630956The Lake District
We train people to undertake expeditions, and also run expeditions across the UK, but mostly in the wilder corners of Great Britain. All expeditions are led by highly experienced, qualified and insured instructors.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village like the Matterhorn hangs over Zermatt. Smaller of course, but in the same way it is an integral part of the landscape. Most people attempt it via…
Address
Biketreks Grizedale, Grizedale Forest, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QJTelephone
015394 31245Ambleside
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.
Tourism For All
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
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
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…
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…
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