Hawkshead & Coniston
Coniston
Hawkshead a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Lake District. Steeped in history and surrounded by stunning landscapes, it offers a tranquil escape with plenty to see and do.
Dotted with whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, courtyards and squares, Hawkshead is packed with character and charm. Discover independent shops and eateries or immerse yourself in the area’s history – the village has connections with William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
In the surrounding countryside, you’ll find plenty of walking and cycling routes. From accessible paths around picturesque tarns to more challenging hiking routes; lakeshore bike rides to stunning viewpoints, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Coniston Water and Coniston village
Coniston Water is about five 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 half a mile down from the village, where you can hire boats and bikes from Coniston Boating Centre. There are shops, pubs and places to eat in the village,
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-go/explore-around-coniston
Coniston village is especially popular with walkers and outdoor enthusiasts primarily because of its position – at the foot of one of Cumbria’s most popular fells, the Old Man of Coniston and by the western shore of Coniston Water, at 5 miles (8km) long one of England’s largest lakes. A relic fish from the Ice Age, the Arctic Char, still inhabits these waters.
Born on the back of the copper mining and slate quarrying industries, the village today has a thriving economy based on walking, sightseeing, water sports, mountaineering, horse riding and the consumption of real ale!
www.visitlakedistrict.com/explore/coniston
Attractions and Activities in Hawkshead and Coniston
Graythwaite Adventure www.graythwaiteadventure.co.uk
Graythwaite Adventure provides award winning outdoor adventure experiences on the private Graythwaite Estate; 5,000 acres of woodland, parkland and lake frontage. Enjoy 4x4 off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting, archery, axe throwing, and bushcraft experiences all year round, and kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing and RIB boat tours April to October.
Grizedale Forest www.forestryengland.uk/grizedale
Grizedale forest in the heart of the Lake District World Heritage Site, offers an unrivalled day out for everyone. Breath-taking views, stunning artwork and endless forest trails, come and discover all that Grizedale has to offer!
Explore the forest on two wheels, foot or horse back and keep your eyes peeled along the way for our unique sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest. For more of a challenge, test your nerve and swing among the trees on one of our Go Ape courses.
Coniston Copper www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/learning/archaeologyhistory/coniston-copper
Coppermines Valley above Coniston - Walk
Coniston Copper
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/learning/archaeologyhistory/coniston-copper
Walk the Coppermines Valley above Coniston www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_252.html
The Old Man of Coniston and its surrounding fells are well known for their ancient and modern mining and quarrying scars that dot the landscape. Coppermines Valley is this, concentrated into one small area. The valley floor is covered by tell tale spoil heaps, and foundations of long gone buildings. If you look carefully even remains of old leats can still be found which were used to transport water from becks and reservoirs high in the fells to where it was needed in the valley to generate power, or used in processing. Now only occasionally does the crump of blasting explosives confirm that at least one quarry in the valley lives on and is still worked.
Hawkshead Show
Set in the Vale Of Esthwaite famous for William Wordsworth & Beatrix Potter, who happens to be one of our founder members. The show field is situated half a mile north of our quaint village.
With plenty of attractions for people to see all day - We have the judging of all horse classes ranging from the miniatures to the heavy horses, Private driving (horse & small carriage) and jumping classes, Judging of a large variety of sheep along with dogs & cattle.
The Horticultural is a must to see. With home produce, flowers vegetables, arts & crafts.
Historic Houses and Gardens in Hawkshead and Coniston
Hawkshead Grammer School www.hawksheadgrammer.org.uk
Situated in the quaint Lake District village of Hawkshead, the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum gives insight into school life from 1585 to 1909.
The classroom houses a collection of historic classroom furniture and artefacts used in the School, some of which date back to the Seventeenth Century.
All visitors are given a warm welcome and a short introductory talk about the school. We offer a range of family activities including dressing up, scavenger hunts, quill writing and a 'fact-finder' quiz which encourages visitors to find out facts from different displays in the museum.
Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's farmhouse www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/hill-top
Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Full of her favourite things, it was the place that inspired her stories and her love for the Lake District.
The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Bought in 1905 with proceeds from her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, she used Hill Top itself and the surrounding countryside as inspiration for many of her subsequent books.
Brantwood - The historic home of John Ruskin www.brantwood.org.uk
Discover the world of John Ruskin at Brantwood, a historic house and vibrant centre for the arts on the shores of Coniston Water. Explore the character of its famous resident through displays and activities in the house, gardens, and estate.
Coniston Boat Hire and Cruises
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Historic Steam Yacht Gondola nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondola
Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht.
Enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water.
Watch the gleaming steam engine in operation from the open viewing windows and quiz the boat’s engineer on its workings. Take in the spectacular scenery of the Coniston Fells and listen to the crew’s commentary on the area’s history and famous connections.
Coniston Launch conistonlaunch.co.uk
Coniston Launch offers a variety of ways that you can enjoy a beautiful boat cruise on Coniston Water in the Lake District. We offer regular services covering two different circular routes on Coniston Water. During summer these routes run daily and during winter there is a limited service on certain days. Stay on the boat for the full cruise or hop on and off at any of the jetties to catch a later boat back. You can combine a boat cruise with one of the popular walking routes around Coniston Water.
Coniston Boating Centre www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk
On the beautiful shores of Coniston Water with stunning mountain backdrop, our friendly team will help you out on the water on a motor boat, kayak, canoe or paddle board.
Ferry Service
Winderemere Ferry https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry
Fares and time table for our ferry across Windermere lake.
We operate a ferry that carries cars, bicycles and foot passengers across Windermere lake from Ferry Nab in Bowness to Far Sawrey.
The journey takes around 10 minutes, one way.