Coniston is a village in the Furness region of Cumbria.  The most notable feature of Coniston Village is The Old Man of Coniston, rising dramatically behind the houses when seen from the village centre.  Coniston is a good centre for walkers.

Until the copper mines, dating from Jacobean times, were revitalised about 1859, Coniston was a scattered rural community.  It was mainly settled around Coniston Hall, a 16th Century farmhouse with a display of mighty chimneys, built by the Fleming family, and now owned by the National Trust (though not open to the public).

There are two public launch services on Coniston Water, the Coniston Launch, and the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola.  Both of these call at Brantwood.  Coniston Launch https://conistonlaunch.co.uk/times/  Download leaflet.  Steam Yacht Gondola details you need to book in advance.

Arthur Ransome based his childrens’ book ‘Swallows and Amazons’ on locations around Coniston Water.  Donald Campbell broke the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1955, and was killed attempting to regain it again in 1967. There is a memorial to him on the village green, just opposite the car park, and information about him in the Ruskin Museum.  Brantwood is a historic house, estate and vibrant centre for the arts which was once the home of Ruskin.

The Black Bull Inn, a 400 year old coaching inn at the foot of Coniston Old Man, is home to the Coniston Brewing Company, makers of ‘Bluebird Bitter’, CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 1998.

Walks Available

B Walk Leader    Tony Culverhouse 10 miles Strenuous
Get ready to soak up some really special views of the Lakeland fells on this walk.  Following the Cumbria way out of Coniston up to the famous Tarn Hows we will pass through some lovely Lakeland countryside.  Tarn Hows and Coniston are two contrasting bodies of water – the former is a small reservoir and the latter is the 3rd largest lake in the district.  Full route details will be available soon.
 

C Walk Leader Michael Counter Walking Distance 8 miles Moderate
We alight the coach in Coniston and head off in the direction of Water Head Pier and then field paths to Bowmanstead.  A bridle path is followed and then field paths towards New Intake.  A short sharp climb takes us up to Walna Scar Road and then its onward on good tracks to pass behind The Bell.  The route now drops down the Copper Mines valley with excellent views of the surrounding mountains, including Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam.  After crossing Miners Bridge we follow the main track and onto the bridleway through the forrest under Yewdale Crag.  Our return to Coniston is along the Cumbrian Way to the Shepherd Bridge.

This walk does involve some hill climbing but nothing too long or arduous.

D Walk Leader    Jane Cordingley 6 mile Fairly Easy
Leaving Coniston we walk through the village to head south on a bridleway and disused railway to Park Gate, through Park Coppice onto Crook. - hopefully with good views over Coniston.  We then head east, and downwards, via Brackenbottom Farm and Torver Common Wood to join The Cumbrian Way along the lake shore all the way back into Coniston, passing Coniston Hall. Just 349ft of ascent.

Pickup Time and Locations
CONISTON — BLACKBURN Coach

08:00     Darwen : Boots Duckworth St

08:05     Darwen : Lynwood Avenue

08:10     Ewood : Empire Theatre

08:10     Blackburn : Penny Street

08:20     Oswaldtwistle : Black Dog

08:30     Oswaldtwistle : The Civic Theatre

08:35     Accrington : Whalley Rd, Kwik

08:40     Accrington : Victoria Hospital

08:50     Rishton :   The Roebuck

08:50     Gt Harwood : Lynwood House

08:55     Clitheroe : York Street

09:00     WHALLEY MEET UP OUTWARD

 

 CONISTON — BURNLEY Coach

08:00      Colne Library

08:05      Colne Alkincoates

08:10      Barrowford Heritage Centre

08:15      Nelson – Walton Lane/Leeds Road

08:15      Nelson - Bus Station

08:20      Brierfield Town Hall

08:30      Burnley Brennand Street

08:35      Burnley Bus Station

08:40      Burnley Tim Bobbin

08:45      Padiham Whitegates

08:47      Padiham Town Hall

08:55      WHALLEY MEET UP OUTWARD