Sights in Coniston
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Brantwood
John Ruskin (1819–1900), the Victorian polymath, philosopher and critic, was one of the great thinkers of 19th-century society, expounding views on everything from Venetian architecture to the finer points of traditional lace-making. In 1871 he purchased Brantwood and spent the next 20 years expanding and modifying the house and grounds, championing the value of traditional 'Arts and Crafts' over soulless factory-made materials.
The result is a living monument to Ruskin's aesthetic principles. Every inch of the house, from the handmade furniture through to the formal gardens, was designed according to his painstaking instructions (he even dreamt up some of the wallpape…
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Ruskin Museum
Coniston's museum explores the village's history, touching on copper mining, Arthur Ransome and the Campbell story. There's also an extensive section on John Ruskin, with displays of his writings, watercolours and sketchbooks. An extension is currently being built to house Campbell's K7 boat: if it's not finished by the time you get here, you can see the boat's tail fin, air intake and engine. The museum also arranges guided walks exploring the Campbell story and the area's John Ruskin connections.
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