Coniston Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Coniston Water which includes a small town or village, a lake or waterhole and boating
Coniston Water which includes a pebble beach and a lake or waterhole
Coniston Water featuring a small town or village and mountains
Coniston Water showing mountains
Coniston Water showing forests and a pebble beach

Cycle along rivers, hills and a lake. Learn about political writer John Ruskin in the museums of his former village.

Coniston is a quaint village surrounded by mountains in the heart of the Lake District. Bordering its namesake lake, the commune has charming pubs, shops and restaurants. Spend days hiking over hills and rock formations to appreciate the gorgeous countryside.

Snap photos of the charming Tudor houses of the village centre with mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop. Climb the Old Man of Coniston, the largest of the region’s mountains, about 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) west of the village.

Visit the Ruskin Museum to learn about the region’s connection to the 19th-century artist, writer and conservationist John Ruskin. It also has exhibits on other writers and intriguing aspects of the region.

Walk southeast for 0.6 mile (1 kilometre) to reach Coniston Boating Centre on the western side of Coniston WaterOpens in a new window. Rent canoes and kayaks for a fun day on the water with your family. Take a cruise to enjoy the remote tranquility of Peel Island. The island was the inspiration for the fictional Wild Cat Island in the novel Swallows and Amazons.

Rent a bike to cycle around the perimeter of the lake, which is about 5 miles (8 kilometres) long. Visit quaint villages hidden between the hilly forests. Brantwood is a majestic mansion with a park and café on the eastern side of the water. It belonged to John Ruskin and today showcases many of his former possessions.

Hear about the many efforts to set the world speed record on the lake. One attempt led to the death of boating daredevil Donald Campbell, as he tried to set a 300-mile-per-hour (480-kilometre-per-hour) record.

Summers here are cool and pleasant, while winters are fairly mild with occasional snow. The village is a little south of the centre of Lake District National ParkOpens in a new window in northwestern England. Drive northwest for 300 miles (480 kilometres) from London to reach the area. Nearby villages include Grizedale, AmblesideOpens in a new window and Broughton Mills.

Coniston is a place for quiet contemplation, with an artistic past and gorgeous lakeside scenery.

The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
4 out of 5
Hawkshead Road, Cumbria, Coniston, England
The price is £129 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£129
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Coniston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (299 reviews)
"Enjoyable stay"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
The Windermere Hotel
The Windermere Hotel
3.5 out of 5
LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK, KENDAL RD,, Windermere, England
The price is £71 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£71
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Windermere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (662 reviews)
"Reception was excellent and helpful 24 dinning room staff on the ball no delays between courses bar prices were reasonable for area bedroom was well for amenities and free wi fi car park was really good just £6 a night and discounted for day time ie arrive sunday leave tuesday was just £12 would ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

The Windermere Hotel
Lakes Hotel and Spa
Lakes Hotel and Spa
5 out of 5
Kendal Road, Bowness, Windermere, England
The price is £176 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£176
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Windermere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 15 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,060 reviews)
Wonderful stay.
"From start to finish this was a wonderful 3 days.Excellent facilities and wonderful food.Had room with hot tub on balcony…..total luxury.All staff very friendly and extremely efficient.Thank you.Will return."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Lakes Hotel and Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pine Lake Resort
Pine Lake Resort
4 out of 5
Dock Acres, Carnforth, England
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Carnforth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,321 reviews)
"Loved the lodge, watching the water sports, walking round the lake. Very quiet and lovely setting. Would definitely book again."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Pine Lake Resort
Kotel Windermere
Kotel Windermere
4.5 out of 5
Lake road, Windermere, England
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Windermere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Windermere and Windermere Jetty ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (228 reviews)
"Really nice stay"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Kotel Windermere
Hapimag Burnside Park Apartments
Hapimag Burnside Park Apartments
4 out of 5
The Lodge, Kendal Road, Windermere, England
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Windermere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a health club. Popular attractions Lake Windermere and Bowness Pier are ...
"My family and I had a lovely stay here. We will definitely be back as we enjoyed the location and facilities. Staff was also very helpful"

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2025

Hapimag Burnside Park Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Coniston

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 86%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 7%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There is a very easy low level walk from Coniston to yewtree tarn.

5/5 - Excellent

Lynne

Having previously lived in Cumbria, we always make a visit to Coniston when we return. It is a pleasant town. Worth a trip on the lake. Interesting to walk around. Good places to eat. People friendly and helpful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

An excellent centre for walking the Little and Great Langdale Pikes area and the Visitor Centre in the Grizedale Forest etc.,

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Very quaint village and if you like countryside fine..but bus services limited to main towns tec especiallyat weekends

Cities near Coniston