Brantwood, Coniston
Former home of John Ruskin. Brantwood is reputed to be the most beautifully situated house in the Lake District.
The House is filled with Ruskin’s treasures: paintings, furniture, objects d’art and his personal memorabilia.
Brantwood is a registered museum, but is still kept very much as a home. The house affords a unique opportunity to look into the daily life of one of England’s most important social and cultural figures. The atmosphere at Brantwood is special, and because so many of Ruskin’s possessions remain, it feels as if the man himself has just stepped out into the garden!
Visitors to the house are introduced to Ruskin’s world by a brief introductory video and are then free to explore the seven historical rooms which he occupied during his lifetime, all of which are filled with his furniture, art and objects. Visitors are given a small printed guide to the rooms, and volunteer stewards are on hand to answer questions. For younger visitors there are a range of quizzes and activity sheets.
The visit to the house also includes the Blue Gallery where there is a changing programme of specially curated exhibitions.