Coniston Water

#252 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Nature, Natural attraction, Lake, Top attraction

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Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Coniston Water is the third-largest lake in the picturesque region of Cumbria, United Kingdom. Known for its serene beauty and clear waters, Coniston Water spans approximately 5 miles in length and has a maximum depth of 184 feet, making it a popular destination for both leisure and adventure seekers.

The lake is surrounded by rolling hills and rugged mountains, including the Old Man of Coniston, which provides a stunning backdrop to the tranquil waters. Coniston Water has a rich history and is famously associated with the speed record attempts of Donald Campbell and his hydroplane Bluebird in the 1950s and 1960s.

Visitors to Coniston Water can engage in a variety of activities such as boating, kayaking, and fishing. The lake's calm waters are ideal for paddle sports, while its abundant fish population, including pike, perch, and trout, offers excellent opportunities for anglers.

The area around Coniston Water is also rife with hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience, providing breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. For those interested in a more relaxed experience, the Victorian-era steam yacht Gondola offers leisurely cruises, allowing passengers to soak in the scenery in a unique and historic manner.

Coniston Water is not only a hub for outdoor activities but also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The lake and its surroundings are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare birds and plants, adding to the region's natural appeal.

Alternative names: Area: 1.81 mi²Length: 5.47 miWidth: 2602 ftMaximum depth: 184 ftElevation: 151 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 54°20'13"N, 3°4'32"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Coniston Water – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Dow Crag, Brantwood, Grizedale Forest, Goat's Water.

3.4 miNW
Climbing
Dow Crag
86 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Dow Crag is an imposing and popular climbing spot known for its rugged beauty and challenging rock faces. This impressive crag, with its towering cliffs and dramatic pinnacles, offers climbers a variety of routes...
1.3 miNE
Historical place, Museum, History museum
Brantwood, Coniston
34 min walk • Brantwood is a historic house museum in Cumbria, England, overlooking Coniston Water. It has been the home of a number of prominent people.
2.1 miE
Forest, Park, Vernacular architecture
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead
54 min walk • Grizedale Forest is a 24.47 km² area of woodland in the Lake District of North West England, located to the east of Coniston Water and to the south of Hawkshead.
3.2 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Goat's Water
81 min walk • Goat's Water is a small accessible tarn in the English Lake District, located between Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston to the Duddon Valley, near the town of Coniston.
3.6 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Levers Water
91 min walk • Levers Water is a small lake in the English Lake District. It is located at the head of the Coppermines Valley, above Coniston village.
2.3 miN
Specialty museum, History museum, Museum
Ruskin Museum, Coniston
59 min walk • The Ruskin Museum is a small local museum in Coniston, Cumbria, northern England. It was established in 1901 by W. G. Collingwood, an artist and antiquarian who had worked as secretary to art critic John Ruskin.
0.9 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Kelly Hall Tarn
24 min walk • Kelly Hall Tarn is a pool in Cumbria, England, to the west of Coniston Water. It is located about one km south-south-east of the village of Torver, on Torver Back Common. Its name is said to be derived from a nearby building that has since disappeared. The location offers excellent views of the Old Man of Coniston.
3 miNW
Hill
Brown Pike, Coniston
76 min walk • Brown Pike is a fell located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. Brown Pike is near the village of Coniston, and is most commonly approached from there with walkers often continuing onto Buck Pike, Dow Crag and the Old Man of Coniston.
3 miNW
Natural attraction, Hiking trail, Mountain
Old Man of Coniston, Coniston
76 min walk • The Old Man of Coniston is a fell in the Furness Fells in the Cumbria, English Lake District and is the highest point of the historic county of Lancashire. It is at least 2,632.62 feet high, and lies to the west of the village of Coniston and the lake, Coniston Water.
1.1 miW
Church
St Luke's Church
28 min walk • St Luke's Church is in the village of Torver, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Furness, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle.
3.6 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Tarn Hows
93 min walk • Tarn Hows is an area of the Lake District National Park in North West England, It contains a picturesque tarn, approximately 2 miles northeast of Coniston and about 1.5 miles northwest of Hawkshead.