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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.
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.
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?
Offering peace and tranquillity, enclosed in 38 acres of glorious woodland, 5 Star rated Black Beck…
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village • Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
Explore one of the Lake District’s famous lakes, Coniston Water, and see the magnificent scenery…
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Catherdral Cavern close to Coniston provide a…
This charming Grade II Listed cottage is in a lovely peaceful location at the foot of the fell no…
Do you want to learn what to do when the mist comes down and how to accurately take and follow a…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and…
Most of the low fells East of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. The…
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…
We offer a variety of Bushcraft experiences that will delight and inspire the youngest to the…
Follow the 'Tone Trail' in the serene setting of Brantwood Gardens and hear beautiful music whilst…
We are a small family run cottage letting business in Central Lakeland. Our five traditional…
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises.…
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made…
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better…
Luxury Cottage set in the heart of the Lake District, between Windermere and Coniston, Lands End…
Buses to and through Coniston: Coniston Rambler 505 Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston. X12…
Join us on a tranquil night-time canoe paddle on Coniston Water and enjoy the beauty and vastness…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Covering 112 miles, and the most famous passes of the Lake District, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 115
, currently showing 81 to 100.
East of Lake, Coniston
Come to an exhibition of radical and innovative textiles; from homewares to art and fashion from Blue Patch, the UK's Sustainable Business Community.
Pull My Thread captures the creative spirit of the new green economy. Displays include new bio…
Coniston
Outdoor provider based in the Lake District. Rob Green Guiding offers fantastic outdoor experiences from a qualified Mountain Leader; guided mountain days out, navigation training and general mountain skills coaching and training.
East of Lake, Coniston
Out First food & folk night was a huge success, selling out after just 3 weeks so we've decided to host Food & Folk #2. We invite you to another evening full of Food & Folk.
For just £35 per person and including Chef's snack & welcome drink on…
Cumbria
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
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park Coppice site.
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…
East of Lake, Coniston
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing room for this potpourri of viola gems, including a poignant work by Dana's grandfather.
Hawkshead
The North Face trail is a single track trail designed for experienced mountain bikers with better quality mountain bikes. Please be aware that this trail is not for tag-alongs or trailers bikes.
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.
Cumbria
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
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Coniston Old Man, rises dramatically to its height of 2635ft. Also known as the 'Old Man of Coniston' - a popular walk for visitors.
Hawkshead
Come and discover all that Grizedale has to offer – take in Lake District landscapes, experience a whole range of contemporary art and enjoy an adventure, no matter your age!
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…
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 forestry has some way marked and colour-coded mountain bike routes - which are particularly ideal for…
Coniston
Copper View is a VB 4-star bungalow. Set in the centre of Coniston village - an ideal base for many activities.
CONISTON
Pay by mobile phone reference: 7250 - https://paybyphone.co.uk/. You can also pay by credit card as well as in cash.
Grizedale
Car park with 15 spaces. From Grizedale Visitor Centre head south on the minor road to Satterthwaite. First turning on the left about 1 mile south of the Visitor Centre.
CONISTON
With 250 spaces and only £6 for the whole day, enjoy time in Coniston and the surrounding area knowing that there will be somewhere to park when you arrive and no penalty notice when you get back – however late that might be!
CONISTON
The Lake District National Park Authority manage car parks around the National Park, as do the National Trust and local councils. There are also free smaller car parks in more remote areas. Monk Coniston car park is on the shore of Coniston Water at…
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