Things to do in Coniston
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Brantwood
John Ruskin (1819–1900), the great Victorian polymath, philosopher and critic, was one of the formeost thinkers of 19th-century British society, expounding views on everything from Venetian architecture to the finer points of traditional lace-making.
In 1871 he purchased this impressive house overlooking Coniston, and spent the next 20 years expanding and modifying it. The house is a monument to Ruskin's belief in the value of traditional 'Arts and Crafts' over factory-made materials: he helped design everything from the furniture to the garden terraces, and even dreamt up some of the wallpaper designs. Look out for his enormous shell collection in the downstairs…
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Coniston Launch
A more contemporary way to get around the lake is aboard Coniston's two modern launches, which have been solar-powered since 2005.
There are two routes: the 45-minute Northern service calls at the Waterhead Hotel, Torver and Brantwood, while the 105-minute 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 Campbell story (adult/child £12/6; 4.40pm Tuesday) and Swallows & Amazons (£12.90/6.45; 4.40pm Wednesday). These cruises usually…
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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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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.
The new Bluebird Wing currently houses the recovered engine from Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 boat, but it's eventually hoped that the whole boat will be displayed here when (and if) it's finally restored.
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Black Bull
Coniston's main meeting spot, the old Black Bull offers a warren of rooms and a popular outside terrace. The grub's good, but it's mainly known for its home-brewed ales: Bluebird Bitter and Old Man Ale are always on tap, and there are seasonal ones too.
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Harry's
Part wine bar, part cafe, part bistro, serving steaks, pizzas, pastas and club sandwiches, along with the prodigious Harry's Big Breakfast.
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Bluebird Cafe
This lakeside cafe does a brisk trade from people waiting for the Coniston launches. The usual salads and sandwiches are on offer, and there are lots of outside tables.
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Jumping Jenny
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Summitreks
Arranges outdoor activities and hires out walking gear, as well as kayaks and canoes.
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Coniston Water
Coniston's gleaming 5-mile lake – the third largest in the Lake District after Windermere and Ullswater – is a half-mile walk from town along Lake Rd.
Along with its connections to the Campbells, the lake is famous for inspiring Arthur Ransome's classic children's tale Swallows & Amazons. Peel Island, towards the southern end of Coniston Water, supposedly provided the model for Wild Cat Island in the book. Both of Coniston's launch boats provide special cruises exploring Ransome's links with Coniston.
The best way to explore the lake is by paddle. Dinghies, rowing boats, canoes and kayaks can be hired from the Coniston Boating Centre, or you can cheat and hire a…
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Sun Hotel
Dine under solid rafters or in a fell-view conservatory at the Sun, perched on a hill just behind the village, and famously used as an HQ by Donald Campbell during his final fateful campaign.
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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, and it's even ecofriendly: since 2008 it's been powered by waste wood.
There are five trips daily from mid-March to October. Longer 'Explorer' cruises covering Ransome, the Campbells and Ruskin run at 2pm on Mondays and Thursdays (adult/child £19.90/9.90). There's also a 'Wild Cat Island' cruise on Mondays at 2pm (£19.90/9.90). There's a 10% discount for online bookings.
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Coniston Boating Centre
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