CONISTON WATER, LAKE DISTRICT - CUMBRIA

Coniston Water (sometimes simply called Coniston locally) in Cumbria, England is the third largest lake in the English Lake District. It is five miles (8 km) long, half a mile (800 m) wide, has a maximum depth of 184 feet (56 m), and covers an area of 1.89 square miles (4.9 km²). The lake has an elevation of 143 feet (44 m) above sea level. It drains to the sea via the River Crake.

Coniston Water is an example of a ribbon lake formed by glaciation. The lake sits in a deep U-shaped glaciated valley scoured by a glacier in the surrounding volcanic and limestone rocks during the last ice age.

Coniston Water is popular with watersport and boating enthusiasts, it is the home of the Coniston boating centre where rowboats, motor boats, sailing dinghies and canoes can all be hired to enjoy on the lovely lake, which has the gentle speed limit of 10mph. Coniston Water will be known to many as the place where Donald Campbell lost his life in 1967 while attempting to break his own world water speed record in the Bluebird. The National Trust’s steam yacht the Gondola built in 1859 and now beautifully restored sails from Coniston Pier calling at Park-a-moor landing stage and at Brantwood.

Immediately to the west of the lake sits the Old Man of Coniston, the highest fell in the Coniston fells group.

CONISTON WATER HOTELS

Best Western Beech Hill Hotel

Newby Bridge Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3LR.
Our hotel is situated in an unforgettable waterside setting directly on the banks of Lake Windermere. This is an area steeped in outstanding beauty and fascinating natural history.

Farmers Arms

LOWICK GREEN, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8DT.
Step back into another era at the 14th Century Farmers Arms Hotel. Where charm, character and Hospitality abounds. We pride ourselves on retaining many of the traditional features and combining them with modern day facilities.

Whitewater Hotel

Lakeland Village, Newby Bridge, near Lake Windermere, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8PX.
Nestling in a valley on the banks of the River Leven,the Whitewater hotel has fantastic leisure facilities The Whitewater Hotel can meet the many and varied needs of the discerning guest, whether for leisure or on business.

CONISTON WATER ATTRACTIONS

The Ruskin Museum in Yewdale Road in Coniston provides a good introduction to Ruskin, the local geology, Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons and many other displays of local interest.
Brantwood - the home of John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900.
Rydal Mount and Gardens, in the heart of the Lake District, retains a lived-in, family atmosphere and has seen little change since Wordsworth and his family came to live there in 1813.

MAJOR LAKES

Bassenthwaite Lake - about 6 kilometres long by 600 to 1000 metres wide.
Buttermere
Coniston Water
Crummock Water
Derwent Water
Ennerdale Water
Grasmere
Haweswater Reservoir
Hayeswater
Loweswater
Rydal Water
Thirlmere
Ullswater
Wast Water
Windermere - the largest natural lake in England, and is fed by numerous rivers.

TRANSPORT LINKS

Coniston Water is approximately 7.5 miles from Foxfield Railway Station, 16 miles from M6 junction 36, and 39 miles from Blackpool Airport.