Wordsworth Country - Your guide to Coniston, The Lake District, Cumbria.

Coniston, Anglo Saxon for Kings Village.
Vikings and Norsemen farmed the land around Coniston Water, and, no doubt they climbed and roamed that popular of all the areas mountains, Coniston Old Man.

Coniston prospered from the mid-1850’s with the significant production of copper ore and thousands of tons of slate from the numerous quarries. These two industries provided many of the population with employment. The town achieved additional benefit with the introduction of a rail link from Broughton-in-Furness, completed in 1859, speeding up the delivery of supplies to shops and industry. However, it was not only supplies to be transported by rail, but tourists, who came to walk, climb and admire some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District and Cumbria.

The tourist industry has continued to grow ever since, and the very numbers are evidence of the all-round high standards offered to, and appreciated by, the visitors.
The railway remained open for passenger traffic until 1958, and goods trains operated until 1962.
Little remains of the station buildings whose canopy was built in Swiss Chalet design to complement the grand surrounding scenery.

Coniston is a favourite with walkers, some of whom arrive to challenge the “Coniston Round”, and climbers to hone skills on Dow Crag. After a long day, some will be found enjoying a little of the locally produced ale from the small award winning brewery.

Brantwood, the home of the late poet, painter and writer, John Ruskin, stands on the eastern side of the lake in a position providing very fine views. It houses a collection of his paintings and original furniture. His grave in St. Andrews churchyard is marked by a Celtic Cross carved from local green slate. A visit to the Ruskin Museum is recommended.

Many of you will be familiar with the exploits of the late Donald Campbell who was killed on Coniston Water when attempting a world water speed record in 1967. His famous “Bluebird” flipped at around 300 mph. His remains were recovered and laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Andrews on 12 September 2001.

Coniston Water enjoys a fine setting and is ideal for those with an interest in water sports. The Victorian steamship “Gondola” sedately plies the length of the lake and passengers are treated with old fashioned hospitality and views of the fells and wooded slopes. It was here that the childrens author Arthur Ransome set his story of “Swallows and Amazons”.

Coniston treats its visitors well with a good range of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and excellent accommodation to suit all pockets. Nearby is the Grizedale Forest, Tarn Hows, Ambleside, Windermere, Hawkshead, the Furness Peninsula and the west coast resorts. Be you a long or short term visitor, there is something for everyone, and Coniston will make you more than welcome.

How to get there:

By rail: From the West Coast Main Line, change at Carnforth for Foxfield on the Cumbrian Coastline. From Foxfield travel by road on the A593 directly to Coniston.
Or change at Oxenholme for Windermere. From Windermere,travel by road via Ambleside (as detailed below).

By road: Not so conveniently placed but easily found nonetheless. Leave the M6 at J36 and take the A590 via Newby Bridge to Penny Bridge. Here, turn right on to the A5092 and on reaching Lowick Green be prepared for the right turn following signs to Torver and Coniston.
Or, travel to Ambleside on the A590/591 and there take the A593.

Coniston Information