Coniston Water is located high up in the southern Lake District. It is 5 miles long and has a maximum depth of up to 184 feet and is the third largest of all the lakes. In the 13th and 14th Centuries the lake provided fish for the monks of Fountains Abbey who owned the lake and much of its surrounding area at the time. Then more recently Coniston Water was used to transport ore and slate from the mines in the Coppermines Valley above the village of Coniston. The lake has three small islands which are all owned by the National Trust.
Coniston Water is surrounded by wooded banks and contains little islands making it a wonderful setting. Boats (apart from power boats) can be launched and sailing dinghies and windsurfing boards can be hired from around the slipway. You can take a trip along the lake on a Coniston Launch and can stop of on the way to take walks at your leisure. At the southern end of the lake is Peel Island which is known as 'Wild Cat Island' in Arthur Ransom's famous book 'Swallows and Amazons'. The National Trusts Steam Yacht Gondola operates on Coniston Water.
In 1939 Sir Malcolm Campbell attempted the water speed record at Coniston Water, which he achieved at over 141 miles per hour. After Malcolm died his son Donald carried on in his fathers foot steps. On January 4th 1967 Donald broke 300 miles per hour, but he died on doing so as the craft, 'bluebird' flew up into the air and disappeared into the lake. There is a memorial to him near...
Ruskin Avenue in Coniston, and at the Lakeland Museum there is an exhibition called the 'Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition' which features Sir Malcolm Donald and his son.
The village of Coniston lies at the northern end of Coniston Water; the village is set in beautiful surroundings and is a popular centre for tourists to explore the surrounding area and Lake District. Coniston expanded in the 18th and 19th Century as a copper mining village. There are still remains from the copper mines in the area today, and slate quarries can also be found in the area some of which are still in operation.
Within Coniston village there are local dark stone buildings mingled in with other whitewashed buildings. A popular feature of Coniston is the forge known as The Terrace; this is a whitewashed seven doorway terrace that is over 150 years old. This can be found beneath the old man overlooking the church beck.
The former artist and poet John Ruskin used to live at Brantwood on the eastern shore of Coniston Water. Brantwood is a fine house which is said to have some of the most magnificent views over the Lake District. A large collection of Ruskin's Paintings and memorabilia are still in the house today. The John Ruskin Museum can also be found within Coniston.
Coniston is popular with walkers as the area boats spectacular waterfalls and cascading mountain streams. Climbers come here for Dow Crag and Tarn Hows is a beautiful place where you can take a gentle stroll. Coniston Water Festival takes place regularly, it is a week long event centred on Coniston Water, a boat dressing and water parade are on of the focal pints of the festival. The festival celebrates the local people who live around the water and brings a fusion of food, sport, art and a celebration of local businesses.
