Coniston
Coniston Water
On the northern edge of Coniston Water, the picturesque village of Coniston is a popular place for fell walkers, being overlooked by the commanding presence of the Old Man of Coniston, the highest point in the Furness Fells.
The village is small, with a population of just over 1000, but boasts of a number of points of interest for visitors.
Top Coniston Hotels
Home to Coniston Water and the famous Old Man of Coniston fell, many travellers might find themselves in Coniston in need of accommodation in the area. Whilst there are not many hotel options in Coniston itself, nearby Ambleside and Windermere have ample hotel choices and are within easy reach to the Coniston area.
Waterhead HotelHistory
Originally, the village of Coniston was a small farming and mining settlement dating back the medieval period that had been developed around Coniston Hall, a 16th century farmhouse that is now owned by the National Trust, though sadly not open to the public.
During the Victorian era the town began to prosper as a tourist destination, and the development of the Furness Railway that stopped at the village cemented its position as a popular visitor attraction.
Critic, artist and poet, John Ruskin, spent his later years in the village, and is buried at the village’s church, St Andrews. Tourism was boosted further following the inception of the Lake District National Park in 1951.
Shopping
Whilst it’s no haven of boutique stores Coniston does have a handful of shops that may pique your interest. Mark your achievements in fell conquering with an “I climbed…” badge from the Coniston Gifts, or explore the Aladdin’s cave of gifts and souvenirs that is Halls of Coniston.
There are a number of outdoor gear shops serving the droves of walkers that flock to the village, as well as general stores for basic groceries. Beer lovers will no doubt be delighted with the Black Bull Inn, a 400 year old pub that is now home to the Coniston Brewery, where the award winning Bluebird Bitter is made.
Key Attractions
John Ruskin's House
John Ruskin is memorialised in the Ruskin Museum in the centre of Coniston, where you can learn about the history of the village, including its geology and how traditional Herdwick sheep farming has shaped the area for hundreds of years.
Lake cruises are available on Coniston Water from the jetties on the edge of the village, including special tours that will take you around the places that inspired Arthur Ransome for his Swallows and Amazons tales.
The village is also popular with fell walkers, with the Old Man of Coniston being one of the key mountains for climbers to conquer, standing 803 metres above sea level, with fabulous views of the lake and the village at its summit.
Getting There
By Car – Due to the topography of the area there is no easy route into Coniston. After leaving the M40 at junction 36 visitors can either take the A591 to go around the northern edge of Lake Windermere past Ambleside, or the A590 that leads around the southern edge of Lake Windermere and then onto the A5084 that runs along the edge of Coniston Water. Both routes take a similar amount of time and have delightful scenery.
By Public Transport – There are limited options for reaching Coniston by public transport, though the Coniston Rambler bus service operates on an hourly basis, with departures from Kendal and Windermere Rail Station.