The award winning Ruskin Museum in Coniston is well worth a visit to learn more of the history of the village and surrounding area. We would recommended it before a visit to Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin.
Coniston from Brantwood
Ruskin was a nineteenth century artist, art critic, philosopher and social revolutionary. His home, Brantwood, is on the east side of the lake. You can take the Gondola or ferry, walk or drive. There are exhibitions, a craft gallery and beautiful gardens.
The old stables have been converted into a licensed coffee shop and bistro where home-cooked meals can be eaten in front of the woodburning stove or on a terrace with one of the finest views in the Lake District .
Nearby is Hawkshead – a picturesque Lakeland village that still retains its cobbled streets, overhanging buildings and Thirteenth Century church.
Hawkshead Church
Close to Hawkshead is Sawrey, the home of the children's writer, Beatrix Potter. 'Hilltop',where she lived, is owned by the National Trust, and the house and gardens are open to the public.
Further afield, there are other National Trust and privately owned properties of great historical interest and possessing beautiful gardens that are well worth a visit: Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall near Kendal; Holker Hall near the village of Cartmel (which also boasts a wonderful Thirteenth Century Priory) and Muncaster Castle in Eskdale.
Eskdale is reached via the high passes of Wrynose and Hardknott, a beautiful drive from Coniston. It was a Roman road and there are the remains of a Roman Fort and parade ground on Hardknott.
Once in the valley, the best way of travelling is 'Laal Ratty' - a miniature steam railway that runs from Ravenglass to Dalegarth through some of the finest mountain scenery in Lakeland.
Laal Ratty