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
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy…
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our 6th annual…
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the…
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2 • Idyllic riverside location • Secluded gardens • Views…
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain…
• Sleeps 8 • 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms • Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and…
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided…
2026 Spring Women's Wellness Nature Retreat April 16th - 19th 2026 A 3 night Lakeland escape in…
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…
Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys…
At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his…
• Sleeps up to 22 • 4 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 4-8 or together…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises.…
The Millom & Broughton Agricultural Show has a long and rich history, and is one of the highlights…
Nestled in the scenic English Lake District, The Crown Inn in Coniston offers a charming retreat at…
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
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: 109
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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
The Yewdale Inn, Yewdale Inn, 2 Yewdale Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DUTelephone
015394 231322 Yewdale Rd, Coniston
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy a pint of ale by the fire or sit down for a delicious pub meal. With 9 comfortable en-suite guest rooms it's the perfect base to enjoy the area. Also…
Tourism For All
Address
Grizedale Campsite, Bowkerstead Farm, Satterthwaite, Ulverston, LA12 8LLTelephone
07875521301Satterthwaite
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our 6th annual gathering, bigger and better than ever. Expect two days of gravel riding, skill building opportunities, communal grub and basecamp fun, surrounded by a…
Address
The Estate Office, The Bridge, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HJTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and refurbished to a high standard. Many have outstanding views, log fires, exposed beams, antique furniture, quality and great character
Address
Force Mills, Sattherthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LQUlverston
Near Satterthwaite, Grizedale, Ambleside. Known locally as Force Forge. In open woodland.
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
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
Mill Pool Barn, Torver Mill, Cumbria, LA21 8BJTelephone
015394 41765Torver Mill
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2
• Idyllic riverside location
• Secluded gardens
• Views of Coniston Old Man
• Fantastic walking and mountain biking from the doorstep
• Beautiful, luxury interior
• EV charger
• Secure bike storageConiston
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a compass bearing? Come on our intermediate navigation course to find out.
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
Old Station Car Park, Old Furness Rd, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HUTelephone
07752205976Coniston
Ghyll Scrambling by Genuine Adventures in the Lake District is a thrilling climb up mountain streams, with jumps, slides, and stunning views, guided by experts for all skill levels.
Tourism For All
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
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…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
Yewfield Guesthouse, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0PRTelephone
07783881461Ambleside
2026 Spring Women's Wellness
Nature Retreat
April 16th - 19th 2026
A 3 night Lakeland escape in luxury accommodation with stunning views
Relax, reflect and revitalise with us at Yewfield, a very special retreat centre in a peaceful and quiet corner…Address
Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EHCumbria
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…
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 throughoutCumbria
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…
Address
-At 5 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest of the lakes. Arthur Ransome based his children's book Swallows and Amazons on the Lake.
Address
Shepherds Bridge Lane, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8ALTelephone
07570982500Coniston
Join me - local guide Emma Seery - and some fellow explorers, for a group walk in the beautiful Coniston Fells.
Contact me via www.southlakesadventures.co.uk to discuss or to confirm your place now
Weather permitting we will head up the…
Address
The Coppermines Mountain Cottages, Coppermines Valley, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HJTelephone
015394 41765Coniston
• Sleeps up to 22
• 4 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 4-8 or together sleeping 22
• A total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 4 hot tubs in total
• Stunning mountain location with…
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