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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
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.…
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
• Sleeps 4 • Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man • 2 bedrooms and 2…
If you want to try camping but don’t have the equipment or just don’t fancy putting up a tent then…
Enjoy cruising aboard 1920's launches with solar-electric power. A unique and environmentally…
Subberthwaite Common and the Blawith Fells lie at the southwest tip of Coniston Water. Most people…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
A traditional Lakeland show, now in its 141st year, in a beautiful valley in the South Lakes. Fell…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
Situated in a stunning location next to mountains & waterfalls, the Coniston Shepherd Hut Lodges…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site…
Based in the heart of the Lake District adventure awaits. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock…
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2 • Idyllic riverside location • Secluded gardens • Views…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
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Number of results: 108
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Spoon Hall, Haws Bank, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AWTelephone
015394 41391Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
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
The Coniston Inn, Hawkshead Old Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AJTelephone
015394 93333Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building is the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the crowds. A handsome, traditional Lakeland slate building, The Coniston Inn is set…
Address
Slater Bob's, Coppermines Valley, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HPTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
• 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 throughoutAddress
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
Coniston Boating Centre, Lake Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ANTelephone
017687 75753Coniston
Enjoy cruising aboard 1920's launches with solar-electric power. A unique and environmentally friendly way to enjoy beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our crew complements your experience of this wonderful area.
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
Subberthwaite Common and the Blawith Fells lie at the southwest tip of Coniston Water. Most people tend to ignore this quiet corner of Lakeland and speed on by to the greater heights of the nearby Coniston Fells. This is a pity as this attractive…
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.
Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after an individual - unlike the other paths though, this one has a very recent history. It is the creation of Jack Diamond, a school teacher from Coniston,…
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
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
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
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the outskirts of Torver, yet with all the amenities of Coniston close at hand, make Hollace the perfect choice for those looking for a spectacular…
Address
Rusland Show, Whitestock Meadow, Rusland, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LBTelephone
07759368997Rusland, Ulverston
A traditional Lakeland show, now in its 141st year, in a beautiful valley in the South Lakes. Fell running, track racing, flowers, vegetables, home produce and crafts. Children's competitions and races you can enter on the day, dog show, fancy…
Cumbria
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys on the North side of Coniston; collectively they are widely regarded as making up some of the most romantic scenery in the Lake District. Most people…
Coniston
Situated in a stunning location next to mountains & waterfalls, the Coniston Shepherd Hut Lodges have been hand-crafted to each accommodate 2 guests and feature king-size beds, kitchens, private shower rooms & enclosed gardens.
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.
Address
Coniston Experience Freedom Glamping, Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8LATelephone
015394 41555Coniston
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.
Hawkshead
Based in the heart of the Lake District adventure awaits. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for a unique activity or simply after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered. Boasting three high ropes activities above the…
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…
Coniston
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock climbing, it is a great way to ascend a mountain taking on the challenge of using your hands and feet to climb steeper sections of rocky terrain. As the…
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