Coniston has grown to become one of the most popular destinations in the English Lake District and welcomes visitors from around the world each year seeking the delights our village and the local surroundings have to offer.
Along with farming, the industry of the nearby copper and slate mines initially helped establish Coniston and it became a popular destination for early tourists in the Victorian era, many of whom visited on the branch line of the Furness Railway, which sadly closed in 1963.
Generations of fell walkers have headed to our village with their sights set on scaling Coniston Old Man and the adjacent hills (the ‘Coniston fells’ or ‘Furness Fells’) including Dow Crag, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Great Carrs.
Standing at 802 metres, the Old Man was the highest point or ‘county top’ in the historic county of Lancashire before Coniston became part of Cumbria in 1974.
Coniston Water is the third longest lake in the National Park at 5.4 miles (8km) in length and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for sailing, kayaking and canoeing, paddle-boarding and swimming.
Motorboats, rowing boats, canoes and kayaks may be hired at Coniston Boating Centre at the north-end of Coniston Water.
This long, slender body of water has for many years been associated with power-boat speed records and, in particular, with the tragic attempt at the world water speed record by Donald Campbell in 1967 who crashed and was killed shortly after achieving a speed of over 320 miles per hour in his ‘Bluebird K7’ jet-powered craft.
Coniston Water is accepted as having a great influence on Arthur Ransome, where the author of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ learned to sail.
Owned and operated by the National trust, the Steam Yacht Gondola is an elegant Victorian vessel that carries passengers on cruises throughout the year and is a wonderful way to enjoy the great scenery from shore to summit.
Not far from the village along the eastern shore of Coniston is Brantwood, the beautiful historic home of writer, philosopher and art critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) who was such an influence on both the arts and culture as well as wider society.
Set in an expansive 250-acre wooded estate with beautiful gardens and incredible views across the water to the towering fells beyond, Brantwood is today a museum which is open to the general public throughout the year.
Named after this truly iconic man, the Ruskin Museum can be found a short walk from the Black Bull and features wonderful exhibitions and rightly claims to tell ‘The Story of Coniston’.
Grizedale Forest is a short drive (or somewhat more strenuous cycle ride…) from the Black Bull and offers a great day out with mountain biking and walking trails, large outdoor play area, forest sculptures and art exhibition.
The village of Coniston itself boasts plenty of independent shops and cafes, with plenty of walks and activities within easy reach of the village centre on foot.
If you’d like any further suggestions on where to visit during your stay with us at the Black Bull, our friendly team will be more than happy to offer their local knowledge to help you get the most from your time in Coniston.
We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided.
Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.
Visit Coniston in the Heart of the Lake District
Coniston has grown to become one of the most popular destinations in the English Lake District and welcomes visitors from around the world each year seeking the delights our village and the local surroundings have to offer.
Along with farming, the industry of the nearby copper and slate mines initially helped establish Coniston and it became a popular destination for early tourists in the Victorian era, many of whom visited on the branch line of the Furness Railway, which sadly closed in 1963.
Generations of fell walkers have headed to our village with their sights set on scaling Coniston Old Man and the adjacent hills (the ‘Coniston fells’ or ‘Furness Fells’) including Dow Crag, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Great Carrs.
Standing at 802 metres, the Old Man was the highest point or ‘county top’ in the historic county of Lancashire before Coniston became part of Cumbria in 1974.
Coniston Water is the third longest lake in the National Park at 5.4 miles (8km) in length and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for sailing, kayaking and canoeing, paddle-boarding and swimming.
Motorboats, rowing boats, canoes and kayaks may be hired at Coniston Boating Centre at the north-end of Coniston Water.
This long, slender body of water has for many years been associated with power-boat speed records and, in particular, with the tragic attempt at the world water speed record by Donald Campbell in 1967 who crashed and was killed shortly after achieving a speed of over 320 miles per hour in his ‘Bluebird K7’ jet-powered craft.
Coniston Water is accepted as having a great influence on Arthur Ransome, where the author of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ learned to sail.
Owned and operated by the National trust, the Steam Yacht Gondola is an elegant Victorian vessel that carries passengers on cruises throughout the year and is a wonderful way to enjoy the great scenery from shore to summit.
Not far from the village along the eastern shore of Coniston is Brantwood, the beautiful historic home of writer, philosopher and art critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) who was such an influence on both the arts and culture as well as wider society.
Set in an expansive 250-acre wooded estate with beautiful gardens and incredible views across the water to the towering fells beyond, Brantwood is today a museum which is open to the general public throughout the year.
Named after this truly iconic man, the Ruskin Museum can be found a short walk from the Black Bull and features wonderful exhibitions and rightly claims to tell ‘The Story of Coniston’.
Grizedale Forest is a short drive (or somewhat more strenuous cycle ride…) from the Black Bull and offers a great day out with mountain biking and walking trails, large outdoor play area, forest sculptures and art exhibition.
The village of Coniston itself boasts plenty of independent shops and cafes, with plenty of walks and activities within easy reach of the village centre on foot.
If you’d like any further suggestions on where to visit during your stay with us at the Black Bull, our friendly team will be more than happy to offer their local knowledge to help you get the most from your time in Coniston.
We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided.
Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.