Learning Resources and Downloadable Trails

Here you can download and print self-guided trails to help you find your way around the Coniston Copper sites and to identify what you are looking at.

You will also be able to download and print some of the learning resources. These are being developed for teachers and learners during the Coniston Copper project to help learners engage with Coniston's copper-mining heritage.

Guided Walk Photograph

Miners' Lives Self Guided Trail

This trail is a short walk around Coniston village and focuses on social history, transport and how mining changed the village. The trail is a Category 2+ Disabled Ramble, best suited to scooters and some power chairs rather than manual wheelchairs because of the short but steep climb to the old station.

Miners' Lives Self Guided Trail
On a Guided Walk at Coniston

Introducing Coppermines Valley Self Guided Trail

This trail takes you to the centre of the copper industry and the Heritage Centre at the edge of the fells. The trail is mostly a Category 3 Disabled Ramble, suitable for a powerful, robust off-road power chair. An alternative return route from Stop 3 is not  accessible because of the nature of the track. Whilst the surface of the route is good, the long and sometimes steep climb will be beyond the battery capacity of many mobility scooters.

Introducing Coppermines Valley Self Guided Trail
Walkers approach Bonsor Mills, Coniston

Land of Power and Ore Self Guided Trail

This trail takes you further onto the fells to come closer to the mines, engine houses and inclines. Please note that this trail is not accessible because of the nature of the track.

Land of Power and Ore Self Guided Trail
Learning Resources Image

Learning resources

This learning resource has been produced to help you explore Coniston’s copper mining heritage with your learners. In it you will find information about the copper mines as well as suggestions for activities and links to resources.
This learning resource and activities were produced in partnership with Coniston Church of England Primary School and John Ruskin Secondary School. Over the course of two years the schools learnt about their local copper mine heritage through visiting the sites and exploring primary sources.

Learning resources
Mining Spotter's Guide cover

Mining Spotter's Guide

Download this handy spotter's guide to help you find your way around the copper mining remains at Coniston.

Mining Spotter's Guide
Cover page of Coniston Archive Research Booklet

Coniston Booklet

As part of the programme, a team of volunteers were trained to carry out research in local archives. This booklet presents some of the findings that relate to the copper mines and the mining community in Coniston.

Coniston Booklet
Cover page of Tilberthwaite booklet

Tilberthwaite Booklet

As part of the programme, a team of volunteers were trained to carry out research in local archives. This booklet presents some of the findings that relate to the Tilberthwaite copper mines.

Tilberthwaite Booklet

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund