By BusThe Coniston Rambler (Service 505) runs between Ambleside and Coniston (via Hawkshead) every hour, linking in with the Cross-Lakes Experience service. Connections with Kendal, Windermere and Keswick. The 505 Windermere to Coniston service can carry two bikes free of charge (advisable to book in advance). Cycles can only be boarded or unloaded at Windermere Rail Station, Kelsick Road in Ambleside, Hawkshead village and Coniston.

The Ruskin Explorer is an all-in-one ticket including return travel on the 505 Coniston Rambler (from any point between Windermere and Coniston), return sail on the Coniston launch and entry to Brantwood. Tel: 0871 200 2233 for more details.

Service X12 links Windermere with Ulverston (via Coniston)and runs every 90 minutes.

Explorer tickets allow travel on all Stagecoach buses inCumbria and Lancashire. Buy on the bus or from local TouristInformation Centres.

For more information on all bus, rail and ferry timetables and fares, contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 orwww.traveline.org.uk

By TrainThe nearest railway stations are at Windermere or Ulverston,both connecting with bus services 505 and X12.

By Cycle There are many mountain bike routes that can be followed in the area. Coniston Tourist Information Centre has details and maps showing routes.

For advice on where to stay and what to do in Coniston, please call or visit: Coniston Tourist Information Centre,Ruskin Avenue, Coniston, LA21 8EH Tel: 015394 41533Fax: 015394 41802. Email: mail@conistontic.orgWebsite: www.conistontic.org

Alternatively you can check availability or book your accommodation over the phone through theCumbria Accommodation Booking Service on 0845 450 1199.

Coniston Launch An environmentally friendly way to travel using traditional wooden boats powered by solar panels and electric motors. Hourly sailings call at Brantwood, Torver and the Waterhead Hotel throughout the year. Occasional sailings to the southern part of the lake which are twice daily; once in the morning and once in the afternoon, in the summer season (with a shortened southern service midday). Special interest cruises run on set days during the summer months.Tel: 017687 75753www.conistonlaunch.co.uk

Steam Yacht GondolaEnjoy a sailing in the opulent splendour of this elegantly rebuilt yacht, which first entered service in 1860. Enjoy ‘green steam’ as Steam Yacht Gondola is now fuelled by wood waste rather than coal, representing a 90% reduction in its carbon emissions. Daily sailings from April to October. Combine a cruise with a visit to Brantwood (daily service) or ‘Walk and Cruise’ to Tarn Hows (Saturdays and Sundays – disembark at Monk Coniston jetty). Tel: 015394 41288www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola

conistontarn hows, tilberthwaiteand torver

Coniston, nestling between Coniston Water and the Coniston Fells, owes its prosperity to copper mining and slate quarrying. In the 16th century, rich seams of copper were discovered, but with no mining expertise locally, miners from Germany came over to work the copper veins. By the mid-19th century, the Coniston copper mines were the most productive in Europe, with most of the copper taken to line the hulls of wooden sailing vessels. Many industrial remains associated with copper mining can be seen in Coppermines Valley to the northwest of the village.

North of Coniston, two spur roads lead to Tilberthwaite where a world of slate opens up. Here, quarrying on an industrial scale has created a distinctive landscape of huge spoil heaps and gaping rock chasms. Slate quarrying accelerated during the 17th century in response to increased demand for building materials, particularly roofing slates. Coniston slate is still quarried locally for use on prestigious buildings throughout the world. Torver, a small hamlet about 3 miles southwest of Coniston, is accessible by foot or cycle via off-road routes or by Coniston Launch and holds a Lakeland Country Fair in August every year.

Sheep farming has been the mainstay of the local economy for centuries. In medieval times, Monk Coniston was a sheep grange belonging to Furness Abbey, providing fleeces for woollen cloths. Nowadays, Herdwick sheep graze the pastures and fellsides around Coniston. This hardy breed with its white face, grey fleece and sturdy legs, has an in-bred ‘hefting’ instinct that ensures they stay within a ‘home’ territory on the open fell.

Tourism has gradually usurped the old mining and quarrying industries. From the 18th century onwards, people came to marvel at the natural scenery of the area, including the influential writer and reformer, John Ruskin, who bought a house on the shores of Coniston Water and lived the last decades of his life here. Nearby, the tranquil setting of Tarn Hows (SD326997) was created by the wealthy Marshall family as a designed landscape in the 1860s. It was bought by Beatrix Potter in the 1930s and is now owned by the National Trust. Miss Potter also bought Yew Tree Farm and encouraged her tenant to open up a tearoom to serve refreshments to visitors – a welcome service that is still provided today at Walker’s Tearoom.

Today, Coniston’s proximity to dramatic landscapes has given rise to a thriving economy based on watersports, leisurely cruises on the lake, walking, climbing, horse riding and the consumption of Coniston’s own real ale!

Coniston Water

Coniston Water has long been associated with human activities. For centuries, the lake was used as a highway for the transport of minerals and slates, and as a source of fish. More recently, it was the scene of attempts to break the water speed record, and now offers cruises and various water-based activities throughout the year.

Published by the Coniston Association in partnership with Cumbria Tourism

Designed by Sedley Place

Whilst every effort was made to ensure that the information was correct at the time of going to press, Cumbria Tourism can accept no responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions, nor for any inconvenience arising therefrom. www.golakes.co.uk

Donald Campbell (1921–1967)

Donald Campbell broke four world records on Coniston Water between 1956 and 1959.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 are now undergoing restoration (www.bluebirdproject.co.uk). Donald Campbell’s grave can be seen in Coniston Cemetery on Hawkshead Old Road. The Ruskin Museum has a section devoted to Campbell and Bluebird (www.ruskinmuseum.com) – see adjacent entry.There are also self-guided Campbell’s Coniston Walks available.

Various photographs and memorabilia on Campbell can be seen at the Bluebird Café on the shores of Coniston Water(www.thebluebirdcafe.co.uk).

‘Campbells on Coniston’ – a 75-minute cruise and talk on board the Coniston Launch. Every Tuesday at 1.00 p.m.(www.conistonlaunch.co.uk).

Full-size replicas of the Bluebird series are on view at theLakeland Motor Museum(www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk).

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Brantwood (SD312958)Ruskin’s interests and philosophical views about art and nature are apparent in the house and gardens, which are laid out to reflect his many interests and philosophies on life. Tel: 015394 41396www.brantwood.org.uk

Ruskin Museum (SD301977)The museum pays tribute to the life and work of John Ruskin (1819–1900), one of the most influential thinkers of his day, who inspired Tolstoy, Proust, Oscar Wilde and Gandhi, amongst others. Other exhibits explore the geology of Coniston, local copper mining and slate quarrying, Herdwick sheep farming and Donald Campbell’s attempts to break the water speed record on Coniston Water.Tel: 015394 41164www.ruskinmuseum.com

Ruskin’s gravestone (SD303976) In St Andrew’s churchyard lies the finely carved gravestone of John Ruskin. It was commissioned and carved to a design by WG Collingwood – one of Ruskin’s protégées and a well-known writer and artist in his own right.

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John Ruskin (1819–1900)

John Ruskin was one of the most influential writers and social reformers of the 19th century. In 1872, he bought Brantwood on the eastern shore of Coniston Water, declaring that his house had ‘the best view in all of England’.

A Sense of Place

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what to see & do...

6 Coniston Hall (SD304963) An imposing 16th century house on the shores of Coniston Water. It was built by the Le Fleming family, who became wealthy on the proceeds of copper mining. A nearby quay was used for transferring copper ore onto barges for transport to the southern end of Coniston Water. Here the ore was taken by road to the port at Greenodd and shipped to smelting and refining sites. The house is not open to the public, but good views of the hall and its enormous round chimneys can be gained from the public footpath and the Coniston Launch and Steam Yacht Gondola.

7 Andy Goldsworthy sheepfold (NY307010)www.sheepfoldscumbria.co.ukThe Tilberthwaite Touchstone fold pays homage to the skills of former quarrymenin this area, with fine slate detailing in the centre of each of its four sides.

8 Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston (SD330999)A local beauty spot created in the 1880s by linking three smaller tarns. The estate was bought by Beatrix Potter in the 1930s and given to the National Trust. There are lakeside walks, picnic areas and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. A newly installed footpath leads from the shores of Coniston Water to Tarn Hows, taking in the walled garden and arboretum at Monk Coniston Hall and can also be accessed by using the Steam Yacht Gondola weekend service, which visits Monk Coniston jetty.

9 Yew Tree Farm (SD321998)Tel: 015394 4143 www.yewtree-farm.comThis photogenic farm owned by the National Trust, with its original spinning gallery was bought by Beatrix Potter in the 1930s - its snug tearoom is still furnished with items bought by her and provides a welcome service for walkers and cyclists.

10 Coniston Old Man (SD272978)Rising dramatically behind Coniston, the ‘Old Man’ is one of the highest mountains in Cumbria at 803 metres, and highly popular with walkers. The ‘Man’ is the large cairn on the summit, accessed by a long uphill walk that passes many remnants of the old quarrying and mining industries.

11 Coniston Boating Centre (SD307970)Lake Road, Coniston, LA21 8EW Tel: 015394 41366www.lake-district.gov.ukHire a canoe, rowing boat, electric motor boat or sailing dinghy to explore Coniston Water at your leisure. Sailing lessons also available (RYA Training Centre).

12 Summitreks Limited5 Yewdale Road, Coniston, LA21 8DU Tel: 015394 41212www.summitreks.co.ukGroup adventure activities including Canadian canoeing and kayaking on Coniston Water. Also rock climbing, abseiling, ghyll scrambling, orienteering, adventure walks and aquaseiling (abseiling down waterfalls).

13 Crook Barn Stables (SD284946) Torver, Coniston, LA21 8BP Tel: 015394 41088Horse riding on Torver Common and the Coniston Fells. Rides can be booked for one hour up to a full day. All abilities catered for – from beginners to experienced riders, with opportunities available for disabled riders wherever possible.

14 Spoon Hall Pony Trekking Centre (SD298966) Tel: 015394 41391Pony trekking on the Coniston fells with superb views of Coniston Water. Accompanied rides of 1 and 1.5 hours’ duration, catering for complete beginners upwards.

15 Dow Crag (SD263977)To the west of the Old Man, Dow Crag is regarded as one of the best climbing crags in the Lakes, with a variety of routes at different grades.

16 Yew Tree Tarn (NY322004)An attractive roadside tarn created in the early 1900s. Enjoy a short walk around the tarn or a longer walk through woodland. Fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout available – permits from Coniston Tourist Information Centre or Coniston Post Office.

Things to do Local facilities

Eating Out

Other places to see

Post Office - Yewdale Road, Coniston.

Public Parks - Children’s Park on Lake Road, Coniston.

Car Parks - Tilberthwaite Avenue car park. Monk Coniston car park, Waterhead, Coniston. Sports & Social Centre car park, Coniston. John Ruskin School car park (Sat & Sun only). Tarn Hows car park (National Trust). Glen Mary car park at Yew Tree Farm (National Trust).

Petrol Station - Church Beck Bridge, Coniston.

Public Toilets - Tilberthwaite Road car park. Church Beck Bridge (limited access). Boating Centre (limited access). Brown Howe, Torver. Monk Coniston.

1 Meadowdore Café

2 The Crown Hotel

3 Harry’s Wine Bar

4 The Sun Hotel

5 The Ship Inn

6 The Black Bull

7 The Yewdale

8 The Bluebird Café

9 Jumping Jenny Coffee House & Restaurant

10 Yew Tree Farm Tearoom

11 Church House Inn

12 Wilson Arms

©NTPL/Paul Harris