Coniston Accommodation

Brantwood, John Ruskin's Home

Brantwood, with Coniston Water Beyond

John Ruskin Coniston Water Lake District Tourist Information

Beautiful Brantwood, John Ruskin's home from 1872-1900 when he died. The house was much smaller when he bought it in 1871, and overlooks Coniston Water, and beyond Coniston Old Man. Once there you can see why he settled for it, what superb views over Coniston Water and over to Coniston Old Man.

Check out also the Ruskin Museum in Coniston for all things John Ruskin. Ruskin stretched into many fields - art, environmentalism, poetry, prose, social commentary and more, as well as being a strong influence on the socialist movement in his time.

The Ruskin Museum and John Ruskin, "The Only Wealth is Life"

You might assume that the Ruskin Museum focuses solely on John Ruskin (1819-1900), philosopher, artist, social critic, and collector of minerals. There is a superb Ruskin Gallery, with an exhibition focusing on Ruskin's early years, plus artefacts such as some of the minerals he collected, his first bible and letters he wrote as a boy. Of course also there's a selection of Ruskin's watercolours and prints, including 'Standing Cloud over the Old Man', and 'Sunset at Herne Hill'.

As well as this Ruskin focus, however, there's also explorations into, for example, the geology of Coniston, which guides you through the geological development of Coniston, an area which experienced considerable volcanic activity 420 million years ago, hence the large number of rocks! Copper Mining peaked in the Coniston area in 1850, although mining activity dates back further to Roman times. It didn't have much of a peak, and was in decline by 1870! A specific type of copper was mined here, fools gold, or Chalcopyrite which is a blending of copper/ iron/sulphide and has a brassy yellowy colour.

The Ruskin Museum takes time to consider this industry, with mining artefacts and photographs, trips down the mines via computer! Other fascinating exhibits include one on the Campbells, and there's a video showing of Donald Campbell's last two runs on Coniston Water. Or if you fancy getting out and about, under the supervision of museum guides why not try the 'Ruskin Walk' or the all new 'Campbell Walk', taking in graves and sights significant to each! And of course getting up into the fells.

The Ruskin Museum, Coniston � Tel: 015394 41164

Brantwood. John Ruskin's home

The setting of Brantwood, John Ruskin's home, is truly serene. The house is set in 250 acres of ancient woodland, moors and various themed gardens including herb gardens, a Fern Garden, Moorland Garden, Harbour Walk, and that Zig-Zaggy pathway sketched by Ruskin 130 years ago and representative of Dante's Purgatorial Mount! Probably a good starting point.

Inside, the house is crammed with Watercolours and drawings, original furniture, personal collections and every year the exhibition in the Blue Gallery changes. The many facets of Ruskin are here, art, nature, and hints of Ruskin's influence on political thought, the arts and crafts movement, architecture, critiques of capitalism and more. For a bit of pre-planning check out his autobiography 'Praeterita', or for his political thoughts see 'Unto This Last'. Those he influenced were indeed prestigious and range from Oscar Wilde, Frank Lloyd Wright, Tolstoy and Gandhi. Most of his works are on sale in the on-site shop, plus a caf� is also on-site.

Check out The Ruskin Foundation and The Ruskin Library at Lancaster University Campus. Well worth a visit before pushing on up to Coniston. Brantwood, Ruskin's Home, Tel: 015394 41396, Brantwood, Coniston, Cumbria

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