Activities in Coniston
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Coniston Launch
A more contemporary way to get around the lake is aboard Coniston's two modern launches, which have run on solar panels since 2005. There are two routes: the Northern service calls at the Waterhead Hotel, Torver and Brantwood, while the Southern service sails to the jetties at Torver, Water Park, Lake Bank, Sunny Bank and Brantwood via Peel Island. You can break your journey and walk to the next jetty. There are between five and nine daily trips depending on the time of year.
As with the Gondola, commentated cruises on the Campbells (adult/child £11.70/5.75) and Swallows & Amazons (£12/6) are available throughout the year. Ask at the ticket office for details.
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Walking
The popular climb to the summit of the Old Man (7½ miles, four to five hours) starts at St Andrew's Church in Coniston. On a clear day the views stretch to the Cumbrian coast and Windermere. Another walk from St Andrew's Church climbs through picturesque countryside to Tarn Hows, an artificial lake backed by woods and mountains. Allow 2½ to three hours for the 5-mile walk. The tourist office has leaflets on both walks.
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Gondola
Rescued from dereliction by the NT, the steam yacht Gondola, described by the Illustrated London News as 'a perfect combination of the Venetian gondola and the English steam yacht', was launched on Coniston Water in 1859. The luxurious saloons have been completely refurbished, and the boat runs like clockwork between Brantwood and Coniston Pier.
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Summitreks
Arranges outdoor activities and hires out walking gear, as well as kayaks and canoes.
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Coniston Boating Centre
The Coniston Boating Centre hires out rowboats, motor boats, canoes and dinghies.
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Steam Yacht Gondola
Built in 1859 and restored in the 1980s by the National Trust, this wonderful steam yacht looks like a cross between a Venetian vaporetto and an English houseboat, complete with cushioned saloons and polished wood seats. It's a stately way of seeing the lake, especially if you're visiting Brantwood. There are five trips daily from mid-March to October, plus less frequent commentated Explorer cruises covering Ransome, the Campbells and Ruskin. Reduced fares are available to other points round the lake.
And don't fret about carbon emissions; since 2008 the Gondola's been running on ecofriendly waste-wood logs, cutting her carbon footprint by 90%.
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