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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?
Most of the low fells east of Coniston Water are covered by woodland and forestry plantations. Theβ¦
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meetingβ¦
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoyβ¦
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakelandβ¦
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from theβ¦
β’ Sleeps up to 16 β’ 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or togetherβ¦
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. Viewβ¦
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water.β¦
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes madeβ¦
Set in a quiet corner of Western Cumbria, and with panoramic views over Duddon Sands, Southβ¦
Join us on a tranquil night-time canoe paddle on Coniston Water and enjoy the beauty and vastnessβ¦
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored andβ¦
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs ofβ¦
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerousβ¦
Outdoor provider based in the Lake District. Rob Green Guiding offers fantastic outdoor experiencesβ¦
This very special full day photography workshop is guided by Amy Bateman, British Life Photographerβ¦
β’ Sleeps 4, β’ Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England β’ Private hot tub with openβ¦
This is the ideal activity for groups of 8 or more who want to challenge both their mind and body.β¦
Explore one of the Lake Districtβs famous lakes, Coniston Water, and see the magnificent sceneryβ¦
Medium length - Easy (28 or 36km)/Road and Cycle Track
Out First food & folk night was a huge success, selling out after just 3 weeks so we've decided toβ¦
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by ourβ¦
Get ready for an experience on the water you'll never forget! We offer a range of options forβ¦
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 115
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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 forβ¦
Consiton
Educational farm business, involving learning about the farm and Herdwick Sheep, including meeting the Herdwicks!
2 Yewdale Rd, Coniston
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy a pint of ale by the fire or sit down for a delicious pub meal. With 9 comfortable en-suite guest rooms it's the perfect base to enjoy the area. Alsoβ¦
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
557 reviewsConiston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
Cumbria
Coniston used to have its own railway line with a terminus station in the village just up from the Sun Hotel. It was connected to the Furness Railway at Foxfield but sadly it was abandoned in 1958. The track bed has since then been unused (apartβ¦
Coniston
β’ Sleeps up to 16
β’ 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together sleeping 16
β’ A total of 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms
β’ Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 3 hot tubs in total
β’ Large rooms, perfect forβ¦
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provokingβ¦
Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
Coniston
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made with the freshest, Cumbrian produce.
Kirkby-in-Furness
Set in a quiet corner of Western Cumbria, and with panoramic views over Duddon Sands, South Lakeland and beyond; Longlands is a private holiday park offering its residents a luxurious oasis of calm.
Coniston
Join us on a tranquil night-time canoe paddle on Coniston Water and enjoy the beauty and vastness of the night sky in the heart of the Lake District.
It is an evening full of adventure, star gazing, stories and mythology and of course lots of fun!β¦
Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Coniston
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and refurbished to a high standard. Many have outstanding views, log fires, exposed beams, antique furniture, quality and great character
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 andβ¦
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 themβ¦
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.
Coniston
This very special full day photography workshop is guided by Amy Bateman, British Life Photographer of the Year, author and photographer of Forty Farms, and Rich Jones, a Cumbria based Professional Photographer.
The course will be held at Yew Treeβ¦
Torver
β’ Sleeps 4,
β’ Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England
β’ Private hot tub with open countryside views
β’ Up to 2 dogs welcome
β’ Stunning, luxurious interior
β’ Wifi
β’ Walks from the door including The Old Man of Coniston
β’ Wood-burningβ¦
This is the ideal activity for groups of 8 or more who want to challenge both their mind and body. Our raft building, bushcraft, and hill walking sessions help you develop outdoor skills and cooperation.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviewsConiston
Explore one of the Lake Districtβs famous lakes, Coniston Water, and see the magnificent scenery from a canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit you - whether itβs a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family or a relaxingβ¦
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL