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Coniston Accommodation
Coniston Water from John Ruskin's Brantwood
The sublime Coniston WaterBoat Trips Coniston Water Tourist Information Lake District UK
Coniston Water is well served for boat trips by Coniston Launch, which has jetty stop offs all round the lake and offers themed cruises such as 'Swallows and Amazons' and a trip focusing on Donald Campbell's fateful attempt to break the 300mph record. Coniston Water and surrounds is 'Ruskin' territory, and his house, Brantwood which is situated on the North East side of Coniston Water and is one of the jetty stop offs conveniently.
Wainwright is on good form where Coniston Old Man, and the climbing of it is concerned, depicting tourists on the summit looking for Blackpool Tower, whilst the 'solitary fellwalker' sits to the side, 'bless him'. The fells in this area have been heavily mined for copper, so you're guaranteed to see the odd copper mine or two! There's various ways up to the summit, but Waintwright's favourite is via Boo Tarn rather than the well worn and trod Quarry Road up past Low Water. Coniston Tourist Information, Main Car Park, LA21 8EH, Tel: (015394) 41533
Coniston Launch. Boat Trips on Coniston Water
Take the Northern Coniston Cruise. Coniston Launch has got boat travelling around Coniston Water perfectly covered. General trips are divided into two. The Northern half of the lake (50 minute cruise/5 jetty stop offs) includes jetty stop-offs at Torver, Coniston, Monk Coniston, and Brantwood (John Ruskin's Home). Boats touring the Northern section of Coniston run by the hour so it's easy to hop off and on, and single or return tickets can be purchased.
Take the Southern Coniston Cruise. The Southern section (90 minute cruise/6 jetty stop offs) of Coniston Water includes jetty stop offs at Coniston, Torver, Park a Mor, Lake Bank, Sunny Bank and Brantwood. You can stop off at all, none or some of the jetties and ticket costs are extremely reasonable. On the Southern Coniston cruise boats run up to four times each day.
Take a themed boat trip, and choose from Donald Campbell and Bluebird Cruises or Arthur Ransome Cruises. Coniston Launch perfectly caters for two particular themes associated with Coniston Water. If you're a fan of Arthur Ransome and 'Swallows and Amazons' then choose the 'Swallows and Amazons' boat trip which runs on Tuesdays at 2.30pm and takes in all the notable features of the lake which appear in Ransome's children's novel 'Swallows and Amazons'. It's a real favourite this so book early. The tour pinpoints features like Beckfoot, Holly Howe, Kanchenjunga, Wild Cat Island, the Amazon's boathouse, and more. This tour departs from Coniston Boatlandings. During half terms and school holidays this tour also runs on Thursdays. Check the website for details. If you're a fan of Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell then choose the Campbell cruise which also starts at Coniston Boatlanding and runs on Wednesdays commencing 12.40pm. This trip is a homage to the history of the Campbells, and focuses on the fateful attempt by Donald Campbell in the winter of 1966 and 1967 to break the 300mph record in his boat, Bluebird. The cruise lasts approximately one hour and takes in aspects such as Pier Cottage where Bluebird was stored. Other cruises include the 'Sundowner' evening cruise, departing Tuesdays at 8pm, from May to July, and take in the whole stretch of the lake from Coniston Boatlandings to Lake Bank and back. Wine and fruit juice is included. Perfect for watching sunsets. Or if you're an early bird why not choose the Breakfast cruise which departs from the Waterhead Hotel jetty at 8am and is a gentle one hour cruise.
Essential to book for this cruise. Check the website for flexible groups bookings and private hire services. Coniston Launch have also developed specific walks pamphlets which feature walks branching out from the jetties. You can purchase these on the boats, as well as buying your ticket for entrance into Brantwood.
Coniston Old Man
AW is about to turn in his grave, as we suggest the quarry road route to the summit of Coniston Old Man, where familiarity, safety and as Wainwright suggests some very pleasant scenery around Low Water on the ascent is perfect for a family walk. Or as Wainwright puts it perfect for 'the day trippers, the courting couples, troops of earnest Boy Scouts, babies and grandmothers, the lot'. As many 'fancy handbags and painted toenails' to be seen as rucksacks and boots. Well that should have pleased him as I gather he was quite keen on ladies with painted toenails! Anyway, as Wainwright points out again, the best 'bird's eye' views of surrounding fells are to be had from Low Water along the Quarry Road route.
The quarries are rather an interesting feature, and a reminder of an industry which once thrived, supporting local communities. The quarry road route is fully mapped out in Wainwright's Book 6, Coniston Old Man 8 or if 'discerning' see Coniston Old Man 7 via Boo Tarn.
More stones once on the summit, and what views, Blackpool Tower!, the Ulverston's Hoad Hill, Calder Hall Power Station, or for the discerning, the Scafell group of fells, and the gulf of Eskdale. Eh, you can't beat Blackpool Tower - here's a link to Blackpool Tower and Tower world for all you Wainwright fans out there!
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