Coniston, at the northern end of Coniston water, is one of the loveliest of the Lake villages, a fact attested to by its victory in the Village of the Year competition in 1997, and regular high placings before and after that. The white Cumbrian houses, local slate on their roofs, have featured in many a calendar. Pre-historic man settled the area, with remains of a stone circle seen on Banishead Moor nearby. In the Bronze Age the copper deposits in the surrounding hills were first exploited, the Romans mined iron here, and mining remained important through the centuries, evidenced very visibly by the old workings in Coppermine Valley. To this day the local slate provides employment here, with blue quarried at Coppermine Valley, and green at Brossen Stone. These remains add to the charms of the hills and mountains around the village, the most spectacular being The Old Man of Coniston, 2631 feet high, its summit providing breathtaking views sweeping over the Lakes to the north, west and east. Coniston Water provides a wonderful counterpoint to the fells and mountains. Here the poet, artist and reformer Ruskin made his home from 1871, his house Brantwood by the shores of the lake now open to the public. Here Arthur Ransome, a local man, set his great children’s book Swallows and Amazons, a wonderful evocation of the joys of messing about in boats. The restored steamer Gondola is a nice way to do this in style today, its speed somewhat less than the 300mph tragic Donald Campbell reached in Bluebell when he met his end on the Lake in 1967 trying to improve his world record.
Attraction
Brantwood
Coniston Launch
Ruskin Museum
Steam Yacht Gondola
Doctor
Hostel
Pub and Bar
Black Bull Inn & Hotel
Church House Inn
Harry’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
Ship Inn
Restaurant
Black Bull Inn & Hotel
Harry’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
The Spindles
Wilson Arms Restaurant
Self-Catering
National Trust Cottages
Nibthwaite Grange
Taxi
Shops
Coach House Gallery
Meadowdore Cafe
WF Hutchinson Coniston Ltd
Heritage Meats
Cards Gifts & Fragrances
Activities
Coniston Launch(Boat Trips and Cruises)
Places to Stay near Coniston
Yewdale Hotel (0.09 miles)
The Yewdale Hotel is a situated in the centre of Coniston and therefore central for the scenic delights of the Lake District. Built of local stone and slate in 1896, ... More
Lakeland House (0.18 miles)
A little bit different. Relax in comfortable and contemporary surroundings, with a mix of leather, solid oak and pine furniture. Newly refurbished (Jan09), and styled to meet todays expectations. Lakeland ... More
Sun Hotel (0.20 miles)
Waterhead Hotel (0.55 miles)
Situated alongside Coniston Water, the Waterhead has a history of over 100 years in the hotel business. With a friendly, relaxed 'home from home' feel, our hotel offers our ugests the perfect holiday retreat. Relax ... More | visit website
Monk Coniston (0.97 miles)
Monk Coniston is a romantic Gothic-style house - complete with minstrels' gallery - leased from the National Trust, which maintains a rare tree collection in the extensive landscaped grounds. Set ... More
Wilson Arms (2.52 miles)
The Wilson Arms is a family owned Country Inn set in the heart of the Lake District. Situated in the small village of Torver nestled in the shadow of The Old Man of Coniston and ... More | visit website
High Grassings B&B (2.81 miles)
Grizedale Lodge Hotel (2.90 miles)
Queens Head (3.09 miles)
An open fire and open-arms welcome greet you as you enter the flag-floored, oak-beamed Queens' Head Hotel, in the English Lake District. New face or old flame, we offer you ... More
Sun Inn (3.14 miles)
Located in the charming unspoilt village of Hawkshead, this delightful 17th Century Inn has everything to offer those looking for an ideal break or holiday away from the hustle and ... More
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