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Lake
Coniston Water
Glacial lake about five miles long with the Coniston Fells above its western shore.
A mini guide to
Coniston & Hawkshead
Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and a boat on Coniston Water, between two small villages
Photos
1 / 9Welcome to the area
Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and a boat on Coniston Water, between two small villages
Coniston is a village between Coniston Water and the Old Man of Coniston, with a history of mining and quarrying that the National Park Authority describes as part of its working landscape. The Ruskin Museum tells the story of the village, including Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 on the lake, and Brantwood, John Ruskin's home, looks over the water. The Coniston Launch and the National Trust's steam yacht Gondola sail from the lake.
Hawkshead, east of Coniston, is a village of white houses and cobbled lanes where William Wordsworth was a pupil at the grammar school. Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop stands where the Beatrix Potter Gallery used to be, and Hill Top, Potter's home, is at Near Sawrey. Tarn Hows and Grizedale Forest are close by for walking and cycling.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Fell
Old Man of Coniston
Fell west of Coniston village, at least 802 metres high and the highest point of historic Lancashire.
Museum
Ruskin Museum
Village museum telling the story of Coniston, including Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 on the lake.
Historic house
Brantwood
John Ruskin's home overlooking Coniston Water, now a museum and gallery run by a charitable trust.
Boat trips
Steam Yacht Gondola
Rebuilt Victorian steam yacht, launched in 1859 and run by the National Trust on Coniston Water.
Directions Website Report a problem with Steam Yacht Gondola
Boat hire
Coniston Boating Centre
Lake Road base for hiring motorboats, canoes and kayaks, and the departure point for the Coniston Launch.
Directions Website Report a problem with Coniston Boating Centre
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Coniston & Hawkshead and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Combine boat and walk
The Coniston Launch and the National Trust steam yacht Gondola both stop at Brantwood, so you can sail one way and walk back. The Gondola sails from spring until the end of October.
2
Wet-day options
The National Park Authority says the Southern Lakes have indoor activities for a rainy day, including the Ruskin Museum in Coniston village.
3
Hire a boat
Coniston Boating Centre hires motorboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, and has a café, according to the National Park Authority. Read its lake guide for speed limits and byelaws.
4
Cross by ferry
The Windermere Ferry is a quick way to Hawkshead from Windermere and takes cars and passengers. Check the council for running times.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Coniston & Hawkshead (area photo): Martin Jeffries, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Coniston Water: Ian Greig, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old Man of Coniston: John H Darch, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ruskin Museum: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Brantwood: Myself, Public domain, source
- Steam Yacht Gondola: Keith Salvesen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Coniston Boating Centre: Adrian Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tarn Hows: Ian Greig, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hawkshead Grammar School: FFNick, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop: Jo and Steve Turner, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hill Top: Chris Brown, CC BY 2.0, source
- St Michael and All Angels' Church: Alan Walker, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Esthwaite Water: Ian Dick, CC BY 2.0, source
- Grizedale Forest: James Burke, CC BY 2.0, source
- Wetherlam: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tilberthwaite Gill: Philip Barker, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Wasdale & Eskdale: John260660, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Windermere & Bowness: Anthony Foster, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ambleside & Grasmere: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Keswick & Derwentwater: Antiquary, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ullswater & Pooley Bridge: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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