Local Attractions
Local Attractions
Nestled in the heart of Grizedale Forest in the Lake District National Park, Grizedale Mountain Bikes is one of the largest bike hire centers in the North West. We offer safe, off-road riding for riders of all ages - 12months to 100 years+! With a mixture of gravel tracks and technical single tracks. We have something for everyone. Be warned though, we are very hilly and even the easiest trail has a long uphill but doesn't let that put you off, your effort will be rewarded with fantastic views. Grizedale forest also provides 'Go Ape' activities involving swinging around high up in the trees.
The Lake District National Park has walks for every ability from amble around lakes to high ridge walks, with a bit of scrambling - climbing over rocks without a rope. Whether you are looking for the best Lake District walks, full walking holidays, or accessible walks suitable for everyone, you can find what you need here.
Short walks
Turn left after the petrol station and walk down to the lake (café, shops and boat hire). Ferry from here can take you to all parts of the lake and Brantwood house.
Turn right before the bridge on the way to the lake and walk to Coniston Old Hall (with the high chimneys) then through the campsite and along the lake.
Go through an alley way passing Ruskin museum and walk up by the river to the copper mines. There is a centre there showing hundreds of years of activity,
Go through the bungalows curling to the left by the side of the house until you come to a road. There is a rather hidden, narrow, connecting arch between two houses. Cross the bridge and go up the hill. Keep right through the forest and walk down, past a national trust center, to the head of the lake. Walk back along with the lake head. You could visit Monk Coniston and gardens (up the next hill if you would like to extend the walk)
After the bridge over the river in the centreof the village, turn right and go up the hill to the Sun Pub. Turn right and then left and walk along the old railway track. You could drop down from this to the Ship Pub. Where the track drops down to the pub there is also another track going uphill to the base of the Old Man.
Walks not involving climbing mountains (just smaller hills.) For use with a good map to find paths.
- Walk to the Copper Mine cottages and then walk over to Tilbethwaite. Look here at the drystone art by Andy Goldsworthy and then walk along the river and over meadows back to Coniston.
- Take many routes up to the very popular Tarn Hows. One way is along the lake and up through Monk Coniston halls and gardens. At the end of Tarn Hows, you should keep on walking first to a gravel road and then find a path, in the direction of Ambleside, taking you up to the tops of the surrounding hills. Here you will get a wonderful view of four lakes. On the way back to Coniston you should try to walk down the meadows on the opposite side to the valley to Monk Coniston giving you a view straight down Coniston water.
- Take the 9 to 9.30. bus (in the season) towards Ulverston and Barrow and get off at Water Yeat at the bottom of the lake. Walk to the far side of the lake – take a short cut through the meadow towards Nibthwaite. Take the path up the hill at High Nibthwaite. Walk along the side of the hill eventually coming to Grizedale forest and then descend to Brantwood through its upper gardens for a cup of tea. Finally, take a boat or walk on to Coniston. Of course, do this with a good map.
- Walk along this side of the lake as far as you can go (Sunny Bank pier) and then walk up to the road. Cross the road down to the bridge across a river and follow the path to a disused reservoir (20 minutes). Follow the path going to Torver and from there the old railway track. The path taking you towards the reservoir is also part of the Cumbrian Way taking you to Ulverston. You could continue along with this to Burnmoor Tarn and then back to the end of the lake. You can cut up earlier from the lake to link to Torver and the railway track.
- Take the bus to Hawkshead. Have a look around this attractive village and walk back over meadows and perhaps Tarn Hows back to Coniston.
- Walk across to Grizedale Forestry(largest forest in Cumbria) Centre and art exhibition (exhibition placed around the wood.) Walk up through the woods from Hows Head on the far side of the lake (can also go over via Brantwoodtaking the ferry to start with) Walk back perhaps taking in viewpoint – beautiful views over the forest to the sea (highest point) and Brantwood.
- Drive( past Torver ) up to Stickle Pike car park and either climb the small but impressive Stickle Pike or Caw (in the opposite direction) both will give you good views of the mountains of the Lake District and look out over the sea.
- Walk back from the old Gill (nice pub) at the head of the Langdale valley taking in Blea Tarn, Little Langdale and Tilberthwaite. A bus could be taken first to Ambleside and then up this valley (very attractive journey) bus cost £8.90 or for four to 8 people a local taxi would be cheaper.
- Take the Warna Scar track around the base of the Old Man to the beautiful Dunnerdale valley. Have a pint in the Newfield inn in Seathwaite. Unfortunately, you would need to take a taxi back or walk the same way. Possible to do a strenuous return over Seathwaite reservoir and facing ridge to Wetherlam (this is a mountain 780 meters)
- For a beach walk, we recommend Roan Head Beach. About 40-minute drive from Coniston.
Famous as the birthplace of modern rock climbing, climbing activities on offer in the Lake District and Cumbria are wide and varied, suitable for any level of experience.
Lake District, Cumbria is the adventure capital of the UK, offering a huge variety of water sports, from canoeing and sailing to windsurfing and diving, your choice of water-based activities is limitless. Come and take part in outdoor swimming events, including the Great North Swim - the UK's biggest open water swimming event, which takes place every year on Lake Windermere. Maybe you fancy learning to water-ski or sail. Or if you want a fun-based team activity why not try dragon boat racing or raft building.
Question: I am going to the Lake District for Easter and need to fit in a 22 mile run on one of the days for marathon training. Does anyone know of any particularly good routes that have even ground as don't want to risk injury at this late stage running on uneven ground but on the same note would prefer to not run on concrete pavements for the whole thing?
Answer: Why not run from Hawkshead to Coniston, around the lake (the Coniston 14 route) and back to Hawkshead? That must be about the right distance.
The Lake District is a magically beautiful region of high peaks, open fells, lakes and sparkling rivers that offers some tremendous fishing amidst scenery that is both spectacular and intimate. Coniston Lake offers fishing for trout, char, pike and perch.
There are also access points and parking areas along the southwestern shore before the road bears left and away from the lake.I am going to the Lake District for Easter (staying in Windermere but have a car) and need to fit in a 22 mile run on one of the days for marathon training.
Boat anglers can launch at Coniston Boating Centre - half a mile from Coniston village. Boats can also be hired from here but expect to pay a tourist rate - at least the fishing is free.
Immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery; the area is understandably popular with photographers and artists due to the mixture of rolling hills, rugged peaks, picturesque valleys and crystal clear lakes. The area is spectacular all year-round; whether you go in Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer makes it a hotspot for photographers or artists.
John Ruskin who settled on the shores of Coniston Lake championed Pre-Raphaelite art and artists. This was about painting the beauty of what you see.
JMW Turner often visited the area. Beatrix Potter- the illustrationist also lived here and besides these, there are many landscape artists. One of the most famous being Sheila Tell.
Other Centres
- Grizedale Sculpture at Grizedale Forest & Visitor Centre
- Low Sizergh Barn Craft Gallery at Low Sizergh Barn
- Beatrix Potter Picture Gallery at Esthwaite Water
- Abbot Hall Art Gallery Kendal
- Gincase Craft Barn & Gift Shop at The GincaseSilloth
- The Gallery at Yew Tree BarnCartmel
- The Heaton Cooper Studio Grasmere
- Gallery 26 Keswick
Within 20 miles of Coniston are the following attractive beaches:
Haverigg beach: Haverigg beach is found at the mouth of the Duddon Estuary and has views over the Lake District fells. The shingle beach gives way to a vast expanse of sand, heading out towards the Irish sea. There are large sand dunes, covered in sharp sea-grasses.…
Silecroft Beach: Situated on the edge of the Lake District National Park, this is a gently shelving sand and shingle beach which extends as far as the eye can see in both directions.
St Bee's Beach: Stretching out below the dramatic headland of St Bees Head is a mile long sand and pebble beach. Stretching from South Head to Seamill lane, St.Bees beach consists of a shingle bank that slopes down to an expanse of golden sand.
Roan Head Beach: Picturesque sandy expanse located around 3 miles north of Barrow-in-Furness. Big tidal range exposes huge sandy flats but also causes strong currents making it unsuitable for swimming. The beach here is an important nature reserve
A historic house, museum and vibrant centre for the arts, Ruskin’s former home has a wealth of things to see and do for the whole family. Brantwood offers a fascinating insight into the world of John Ruskin and the last 28 years of his life spent in the Lakes. Filled with many fine paintings, beautiful furniture and Ruskin’s personal treasures, the house retains the character of its famous resident. Our visitors are free to explore the rooms and house stewards are on hand to answer questions. There is a range of quizzes and activities for children to enjoy.
The steam yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian,screw propelledsteam-powered vessel on Coniston water. Originally launched in 1859, she was built for the steamer service carrying passengers from the Furness Railway and from the Coniston Railway. She was in commercial service until 1936 when she was retired, being converted to a houseboat in 1946. In 1979, by now derelict, she was given a new hull, engine, boiler and most of the superstructure. She is back in service as a passenger boat throughout most of the year.
The Ruskin Museum is an award-winning Cabinet of Curiosities which tells the Story of Coniston.
The Rough Guide to the Lake District [all editions] praises ‘Coniston’s superb museum’ as ‘the most thought-provoking in the Lakes’ for its inspirational and award-winning telling of The Story of Coniston from the first Stone Age fell-walkers, who made and traded stone axes, to the Jet Era when the 1950s speed ace Donald Campbell used Coniston Water as Bluebird K7’s.
There are two restaurants in the village; the Steam Bistro and an Indian (both highly recommended) plus a fish and chip shop and a pizza take away. Both restaurants also do takeout food, to eat at home (be careful with turmeric staining of towels if you order from the Indian –impossible to remove). All of the 5 pubs offer food; The Yewdale has a mix of pub and restaurant atmosphere. Herdwick’s café and Bistro would organize evening meals for groups over 10.
A little bit out of the village, but worth travelling to, are the famous Drunken Duck, and The Queen’s head in Hawkshead. The Bisto, Drunken Duck and Queens Head would need to be booked well in advance.
In the village, there are also three very nice cafes serving a wide range of breakfasts and snacks. A new one just opened is very close to the Beechtree (50 metre). It is called ' The Herdwick' after the famous sheep of the area. It keeps to this theme throughout, even selling designer bags made from the sheep's rough hide. The cafe offers attractive sitting areas inside and out and an amazing variety of pies and cakes.