About the village of Coniston

Coniston can be found at the northern end of Coniston Water and overlooked by the Old Man of Coniston 2,634ft [803m]. The village is in a wonderful setting and is a popular centre for exploring this area of the Lake District.

Coniston grew from the mineral wealth of copper which was found in the mountains and mined especially during the 18th & 19th Century's with the village expanding. The workings from these mines can be seen in the area, especially in Coppermines Valley. Slate quarries can be also found in the area and a few are still worked.

One of the beauties of Coniston is Coniston Water, with its wooded banks and little islands and is 5 miles [8km] long. Boats can be launched [no powered craft], sailing dinghies and windsurfers can also be hired around the slipway.

On Coniston Water you can take a trip along the lake on a Coniston Launch,one of the few solar powered crafts operating in the UK, which can be inter-linked with walks if you wish. You can also sail past Peel Island, known as "Wild Cat Island" from Arthur Ransome's "Swallows & Amazons" at the southern end of the lake. Another vessel operating on Coniston Water is the Steam Yacht Gondola operated by the National Trust.

Coniston Water was also used for water-speed records attempts in the past. Donald Campbell lost his life in 1967 attempting to break the record when his craft (the Bluebird) somersaulted at over 300mph. His body was found in May 2001 and his funeral held in the September in Coniston. You can see a memorial plaque at the village green which commemorates Donald Campbell.

Grasmere had William Wordsworth, Coniston has John Ruskin who lived at Brantwood across Coniston Water on the eastern shore. Brantwood is said to have some of the finest views in the Lake District and to be the most beautifully situated house. Within the house you will discover a large collection of Ruskin's paintings, furniture and memorabilia. Garden lovers will be charmed by the garden at Brantwood, stretching from the lakeshore harbour walk to the professor's garden above the house, a total of over 30 acres.

John Ruskin was an artist, poet, social reformer and an art critic. He is buried in Coniston and lies underneath a carved cross in the northeast corner of the churchyard. The Ruskin Museum in Yewdale Road provides a good introduction to Ruskin, the local geology, Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons and many other displays of local interest. You can find out more about what to do while in Coniston at:
www.conistontic.org
www.coniston-net.com
www.golakes.co.uk
www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk