Pictures of Coniston

in the county of Cumbria

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About Coniston

There is a timelessness about this pretty village which is set beneath the awesome splendour of "The Old Man of Coniston" towering some 2,500ft above.

The properties in the village, though not of great age are attractive and charming. Some are built from the dark local stone and others have walls that glisten with whitewash. Of the architectual features to be found in Coniston, perhaps the most handsome is a whitewashed, seven doorway terrace, right beneath the Old Man and overlooking the Church Beck's boulder-strewn waters. This terrace is said to be about 165 years old.

Apart from the infinite beauty of Coniston Water, it will be long remembered as the place where Donald Campbell died while trying to break the world water-speed record in 1967. His jet-powered Blue-Bird lost control at more than 300 m.p.h. and it is only recently that Donald Campbell's body was recovered.

Of the historic features - nearby the main street a museum pays tribute to the life and celebrated work of John Ruskin, the victorian writer, critic and social reformer. Ruskin had a profound influence on the general artistic taste of his time and he lived at his home on the far side of Coniston Water from 1871 until his death in 1900. Given the great honour of a grave in Westminster Abbey, he chose instead to buried in a quiet corner of the local churchyard and lies beneath a beautifully carved wooden cross.

Interestingly, this beautiful place was chosen by Arthur Ransome as the setting for his world famous novel Swallows and Amazons.

Coniston and the surrounding lakeland area is popular with anglers, fell walkers and climbers. People converge here for a variety of reasons at all times of the year. In the summer when the sun shines and the land is fresh and green, the beautiful scenery of the lakes is best enjoyed from the water. In the autumn and winter months, with snow clinging to the peak of The Old Man and water cascading down ridges in a series of endless waterfalls, it is then, that this picturesque place comes into its own. The dark waters of Coniston, spread out on the valley floor beneath the snow covered mountainous Old Man in a setting of unrivalled beauty is indeed Lakeland's "Jewel in the Crown" it is no wonder that this special place has long remained the haunt of many celebrated Artists.

Other lakes in the area are, Windermere, Wast Water and to the north of this great area lies Bassenthwaite Lake, Ullswater and Derwent Water. There are many enchanting towns and villages and a host of genial inns and pubs. There are a great many shops all well stocked with the requirements of modern living to locally made souvenirs.

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History of Coniston

Recommended towns & villages near Coniston

	Torver (2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction SW) The lovely village of Torver is found in rich countryside beside Coniston Water in England's Lake District National Park... Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Hawkshead (3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction E) .. Information | Pictures (107) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Hall Dunnerdale (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W) Scenery does not come much finer than the scenic beauty surrounding the Valley of the River Duddon where you will find the delightful hamlet of Hall Dunnerdale... Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Ambleside (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction NE) Ambleside, meaning "Shieling" or summer pasture by the riverbank, lies next to the northern shore of Lake Windermere. A busy victorian town ideal as a base when visiting the Lake District.. Information | Pictures (482) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Grasmere (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N) This tiny stone village is beautifully set between the tranquil waters of Grasmere Lake and the jagged heights of Helm Crag and Nab Scar.. Information | Pictures (305) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Recommended attractions near Coniston

	Steam Yacht Gondola (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) Rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht on Coniston Water, with the stunning backdrop of Coniston Fells in the heart of the Lake..... Information | Hotels
	Tarn Hows (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NE) This exceptional magical landscape is known as Beatrix Potter Country. For it is here amongst Lakeland's magnificent tarns and..... Information | Pictures (87) | Hotels
	Grizedale Forest Park Country Park (2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction SE) .. Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels
	Hill Top (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction E) The Farmhouse in the Lake District where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her children's stories.. Information | Pictures (3) | Hotels
	Wray Castle (5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction NE) Owned by the National Trust and set in 64 acres of land, Wray Castle is not actually a castle but a private house built in the..... Information | Hotels

Hotels & Accommodation in Coniston

Coniston Hotels  Coniston Cottages  Coniston Bed & Breakfast

	The Black Bull Inn and Hotel Coniston, Cumbria, England (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) Featuring exposed stone walls, oak beams, and a cosy log-burning stove, this inn was built around 400 years ago and features free Wi-Fi and free parking on site.... More info and book online..  Price from £60.00
	Lakeland House Coniston, Cumbria, England (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) Situated in the Lake District National Park, Lakeland House offers comfortable and contemporary accommodation, with leather, solid oak, and pine furnishings.... More info and book online..  Price from £40.00
	The Crown Inn Coniston, Cumbria, England (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) In the charming Lake District village of Coniston, less than 0.5 miles from Coniston Water, The Crown Inn has a relaxed pub and bright rooms. Guests have free membership to a local health club with a ... More info and book online..  Price from £80.00
	YHA Coniston Holly How Coniston, Cumbria, England (0.3 miles, 0.4 km) YHA Holly How offers dormitory-style accommodation in Coniston, a 10-minute drive from Hawkshead, Ambleside. It has a games room, a restaurant serving evening meals, and offers free parking on site.... More info and book online..  Price from £15.00
	Waterhead Hotel Coniston, Cumbria, England (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) Next to Coniston Water, Waterhead Hotel has lawns running down to the lake shore and a restaurant with spectacular mountain views. The centre of Coniston is a 2-minute walk away.... More info and book online..  Price from £50.00

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