6. Around Coniston Water
Coniston Water and Coniston village
Coniston Water is about 5 miles long and half a mile wide. Above its western shore, the mountain of the Old Man of Coniston towers above the lake and the village. The lake is about half a mile down from the village, where you can hire boats from Coniston Boating Centre. There are shops, pubs and places to eat in the village.
Brantwood overlooking the eastern shore, John Ruskin’s home, is open to visitors with its beautiful gardens and views. There is the Ruskin Museum in the village which also features an exhibition about Sir Donald Campbell, who was killed in 1967 making an attempt on the world speed record in his speedboat Bluebird.
Hawkshead
This pretty village’s cobbled lanes are best explored by foot. There are many pubs, shops and cafes. You can see Wordsworth’s schoolboy signature carved in a desk at Hawkshead Grammar School. The Beatrix Potter Gallery occupies rooms once used by the solicitor William Heelis, Potter’s husband.
Esthwaite Water
This small lake, just two miles long, near Hawkshead is privately owned. However there is a footpath to the lake from the road just south of Hawkshead which follows the shore for a short time. There is also a small public access area by the lake shore just before Near Sawrey.
Useful links
- Coniston Boating Centre
- 13. Tarn Hows Miles Without Stiles route
- 14. High Yewdale - Miles Without Stiles route
- 15. Yewdale Bridleway - Miles Without Stiles route
- 16. Monk Coniston - Miles Without Stiles route
- 17. Coniston to Torver Jetty - Miles Without Stiles route
- Beatrix Potter
- John Ruskin
Next stop
Whistlestop map
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.
