Don't Miss
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the…
The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is the most spectacular long distance trail race…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
• Sleeps up to 16 • 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together…
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our 6th annual…
Tarn Hows is a stunning local beauty spot, artificially made in the 19th Century by joining 3 tarns…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
Springbank Cottage is a luxury, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage in the popular village of Coniston.…
Based in the heart of the Lake District adventure awaits. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking…
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…
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…
Discover the magic of the Lake District at Grizedale Forest. Whether you're seeking a romantic…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
We have three route options for this glorious off road adventure around Coniston and the Grizedale…
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our…
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake…
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2 • Idyllic riverside location • Secluded gardens • Views…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Search
- Accommodation
- Things to Do
- What's On
- Food & Drink
-
Towns & Villages
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Towns & Villages
Towns & Villages
Number of results: 113
, currently showing 81 to 100.
Address
Tilberthwaite car park, near Coniston., ConistonTelephone
07878 471253Coniston
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Cathedral Cavern close to Coniston provide a great venue to experience the thrill of abseiling. More Than Mountains only uses highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors who are incredibly…
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
Force Mills, Sattherthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LQUlverston
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
Address
Monk Car Park, kirkby lonsdale, 11A New Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHTelephone
01257 25121711A New Road, Coniston
Epic Lakes Swim Coniston takes place at Monk Coniston, at the North end of the lake. You can choose either the 750m, 1500m, 3k or 5k distances, depending upon your age and ability. Coniston provides yet another fantastic venue, with stunning views…
-
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
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…
Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.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.
Tourism For All
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…
Address
Brantwood, East of Lake, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ADTelephone
015394 41396Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
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…
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
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.
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
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.
Address
Lake Road, CONISTON, Cumbria, LA21 8EWCONISTON
Coniston Boating Centre Car Park is on the western shore of Coniston Water and is easily reached from the village centre. Follow the brown signs for 'Gondola'.
Address
Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EWTelephone
015394 41366Coniston
Located in the car park on the lake shore of Coniston Water. Postcode: LA21 8EW.
Address
Ruskin Avenue, CONISTON, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCONISTON
Pay by mobile phone reference: 7250 - https://paybyphone.co.uk/. You can also pay by credit card as well as in cash.
Address
CONISTON, Cumbria, LA21 8DGCONISTON
Car park operated by the Lake District National Park Authority located at the car park. Pay online using RingGo - RingGo car park ID is 37331
Tilberthwaite Ghyll car park is a large layby close to Tilberthwaite Farm. The parking area is accessed…
Address
National Trust Tarn Hows, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0PPTelephone
07919 111620Ambleside
The Tramper mobility scooter is free to use and helps to improve access for all at Tarn Hows.Part of our commitment to make more of these beautiful places accessible to those who are less physically able. You don’t have to be registered disabled or…
You may also like
Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Ratings Powered By
© Cumbria Tourism