Coniston Water
Coniston Water
4.5
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4.5
705 reviews
Excellent
520
Very good
155
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
8
Victoria N
Gateshead, UK3,193 contributions
Apr 2023
I parked in the Monk Coniston Water car park recently which was £3.50 for the first two hours. I was able to walk literally about 100 yards up to the pier, then the rest of the route around the lake was blocked off. For the town I recommend on street parking which is free, then simply walk in to town. If you require a toilet I would use the facilities at Monk car park as in town there is a 50p charge to use the public toilet.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammi G
14 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We decided to visit here for the day as previously been to windermere & lakeside, it was a very hot day in august so extremely busy but we managed to grab a spot to sit near the waters edge & did not feel concerned about social distancing where we were sat or where we paddled, dog and OH had a lovely swim in the lake, OH said hes never felt water so warm. Absolutely stunning surroundings and we had a wander through the centre of the village which had plenty of choice for food and drink. Look forward to returning and staying longer
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley B
England, UK68 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This is a must visit if you in the area. I recommend going early as it gets mobbed. We had a lovely picnic under a tree to the right of the cafe on the grassed area. We had beautiful views until it got mobbed and then social distancing went out the window. I think some people have forgotten about the pandemic that is happening around the world. The cafe is really nice we had ice creams and cups of teas from there but nothing else as we had a picnic. They are doing “ eat out to help out in the cafe during August so definitely worth going Monday to Wednesday. The car park is quite big they also have an over spill car park as well. Take your costume and towel as it’s a lovely swim.
Written 15 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RaynesMark
Wimbledon267 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
Close to the overrated lake Windermere, Coniston is close, as the crow flies, but following a long winding road journey. It is a bit prettier than Windermere and its waters cleaner. It seems more popular with causal watersports folk and swimmers. A river cuts down from Coniston village into the lake. When I visited there was a real mix of people there, from the young and beautiful, to couples and even a large group with a barbecue going. Where Coniston wins out over Windermere, is less people, more space and a generally more attractive place. Coniston village is between 20 minutes and 30 minutes away on foot, though there is some parking at the lake. The village is fairly pretty has a few decent looking pubs and takeaways. It has a calmer feel about it. The only negative here was the grumpy girl serving in the garage, no serving is the wrong word.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virbhadeshwar S
Aldershot, UK31 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Visited this place for first time with not great expectations.. but the place blew my mind . This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited . The way to this place was so picturesque that I can’t tell in words . It has to be experienced personally. Then used the gandola 1860 steam boat to take the tour of the lake and it’s worth the money. Such a experience that even my kids age 4 & 9 loved single minute of the lake drive . It’s a must visit place … loved it to bits
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Onceawaitress
Haywards Heath, UK525 contributions
Aug 2020
We cycled all the way round the lake and it was a lovely ride. The road on the East side was closed to traffic due to inconsiderate parking but made it great to cycle. The lake is much quieter and less commercialised than Windermere so peaceful and quiet,
Written 27 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
London, UK23,705 contributions
Oct 2020
We stopped off at Coniston Water on our way north to Keswick, and it provided a great introduction to the Lake District, especially as we had booked a trip on the steam yacht Gondola, which was thoroughly enjoyable.
Coniston Water is the longest lake in the Lake District, at 5 miles long. As such, it has been popular for attempts to break the water speed record, most famously by Donald Campbell who tragically died, having achieved 320 mph, when his hydroplane Bluebird somersaulted and crashed.
Eminent people who owned houses along the lake include John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome. All are celebrated in the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, while Ruskin is also buried in the churchyard.
The journey along the lake on Gondola, originally built in 1859 and now owned and operated by the National Trust, provided splendid views of the lake, the hills, Ruskin's and Ransome's houses - and the autumn clouds!!
Coniston Water is the longest lake in the Lake District, at 5 miles long. As such, it has been popular for attempts to break the water speed record, most famously by Donald Campbell who tragically died, having achieved 320 mph, when his hydroplane Bluebird somersaulted and crashed.
Eminent people who owned houses along the lake include John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome. All are celebrated in the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, while Ruskin is also buried in the churchyard.
The journey along the lake on Gondola, originally built in 1859 and now owned and operated by the National Trust, provided splendid views of the lake, the hills, Ruskin's and Ransome's houses - and the autumn clouds!!
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgsnorwich
Norwich, UK965 contributions
Aug 2020
The Cumbrian Way follows the West Bank of Coniston Water and makes an excellent, easy walk as far down the lakeside as you want to go. Returning on the same path you get different views of The Old Man and across the water to Brantwood, Ruskin’s home. It is also interesting to see the various boats on the water from paddle boards to the famous steam powered Gondola.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Symonds
Haverhill, UK475 contributions
Sept 2020
Coniston is a beautiful lake and has boats for hire and launch’s for sight seeing trips. It is very well known for Donald Campbell’s water speed record attempts in 1967 where he perishEd on the lake when his super high speed boat Bluebird flipped. There is a cafe which is lovely and named the Bluebird Cafe and a memorial between the cafe and the car park in his honour. A magical place to visit.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
places2seeplaces2go
England, UK6,467 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We luckily booked last year for a week in The Lakes so visiting when everything was starting to get back to “normal” was lovely & quiet.
During our stay we visited Coniston Waters twice including a boat trip.
Beautiful & peaceful place to walk.
I would imagine in “normal” times it is very busy with parking difficult.
Definitely recommend a boat trip as that is when you see the true beauty.
In May we were blessed with some good weather days & snow capped mountains.
During our stay we visited Coniston Waters twice including a boat trip.
Beautiful & peaceful place to walk.
I would imagine in “normal” times it is very busy with parking difficult.
Definitely recommend a boat trip as that is when you see the true beauty.
In May we were blessed with some good weather days & snow capped mountains.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've seen caravans on the road to Consiton but have never towed one myself. The road is quite narrow in places so you have to watch out for locals who know the road driving v. quickly! Also the occasional bus or lorry. I recall there being quite a narrow bridge.
I don't recall the road being particularly hilly though but might be worth checking with the Lake District tourist office.
If you've not been to Consiton before, you're in for a treat!
Written 19 July 2020
Which is the best place to swim with my dogs nearest to Bowness on Windermere
Written 10 July 2019
Lots of people on Coniston with dogs in buoyancy aids
Written 16 July 2019
Can anyone help please. Can you advise on shortest route from the coppice park to consisting?
Can anyone recommend any short walks in the area suitable for a 6 year old.
Thanks
Written 20 October 2018
The route to Coniston in the car is via the A593 directly, however not suitable to walk safely. the best route on foot would be via the gate at the bottom of Park Coppice on to Coniston Hall campsite and following the footpath to the Lake Road and then either walking to the village or to the lake. At most it would be a half hour walk - a lovely walk.
A robust 6 year old would be able to walk from Coniston to the Coppermines which is a lovely walk and a great achievement - walking up from The Black Bull Inn on the left side of the river and keep going!
Written 26 October 2018
Hi, we're planning a visit to Coniston on February 2018. We're afraid of heavy snow blocking the traffic. Is this area very snowy? The snow piles up often in the winter? We will use local taxi for transportation from Windermere train station.
Written 7 October 2017
all the times I've been to the lakes in the winter I've never had any real problems with the snow of which the majority is on the hill tops the vally floors are usually fine with care.
Written 8 October 2017
Is there any kids play parks in or around Coniston? Wanting to visit the Bluebird location but I'm keen to ensure the kids (4&under) are kept amused too! Many thanks.
Written 16 July 2017
I am sure there must be a park in Coniston itself but not sure where. It is a village with permanent residents and has its own school.
Written 17 July 2017
My husband died recently and was born and grew up in Ulverston, he asked that his ashes be sprinkled on coniston water. I am trying to find a secluded spot to do that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Written 29 June 2017
We went last year in June to the Lake district and around Coniston. We had a coffee at the Bluebird Cafe and there is a small pier there where small boats can moor. There are picnic tables around as well. It overlooks the lake and it's quite pretty. Maybe you could let go of your husband ashes there. It is an enjoyable place and kids usually are happy running around. It's a happy place. I think it should be alright to do that around this spot.
Very sorry for your loss and hope you can find the ideal spot for your hubby.
Sincerely.
Maithe.
Written 5 July 2017
My husband died recently and was born and grew up in Ulverston, he asked that his ashes be sprinkled on coniston water. I am trying to find a secluded spot to do that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Written 29 June 2017
You can walk along a lot of the shore, or take a rowing boat out
Take the steamer journey to see all of Coniston Water before you decide
It's a beautiful place
Sorry for your loss❤️
Written 30 June 2017
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