A Day Around Coniston Water
20th July 2023
We rent out 2 beautiful self-catering cottages near Coniston Water. You can see both here>>
My wife, our dog and I recently stayed in 1 of these cottages, Charcoal House which is located in the tiny hamlet of Low Nibthwaite.
On a perfect ‘walking weather’ day, 20c, dry and sunny with just a few passing clouds, we decided to have a ‘round the lake’ walking and driving day.
We started off with breakfast on the balcony where we could just see through the trees to the ‘Old Man of Coniston’, the highest most southerly mountain in the UK.
We then walked to the bottom of Coniston Water, walking for a few hundred yards along the beautiful River Crake. The walk from Charcoal House and Sawmill Cottage to the bottom of the lake only takes 20 minutes.
At the southern tip of the lake, we stopped off to say ‘good morning’ to Mr Gormley as we call him, a little know Anthony Gormley cast-iron, life-size statue that is stood looking towards the ‘Old Man of Coniston’.
Click on any photo to enlarge and then scroll
We then carried on walking up a bridleway along the bottom of Bethecar Moor where we had spectacular views of Coniston Water and the Coniston Fells.
We then circled back to High Nibthwaite via Brock Barrow Fell and then completed the short walk back to Charcoal House.
Then we jumped in the car and drove along the stunningly beautiful eastern shoreline of Coniston Water for 5 miles to Brantwood. This amazingly scenic road is called the ‘Back o the Lake Road’ and is great for cycling too.
Brantwood is a wonderful 250-acre estate, featuring 8 unique gardens created by John Ruskin the 19th century English writer, philosopher artist and art critic.
We stopped for lunch at ‘The Terrace’, Brantwood’s lovely, unique bistro café with breathtaking views over Coniston Water where muddy boots, muddy cyclists and well-behaved dogs are welcome. The food, atmosphere and views are great and our guests often tell us how much they loved their food and time at ‘The Terrace’.
Once we’d paid the bill, which was very reasonable and good value, especially as they use so much local produce, we then carried on our drive around the lake to Coniston village.
We parked up and had a walk around the sprawled-out village and then walked down to the lake.
There’s so many great cafes in the Lake District but very few of them have the spectacular location of The Bluebird Café, literally right on the shore of Coniston Water. We’d timed it right and were able to get a table for 2 with our dog on the terrace, right on the shore of the lake.
Dogs are welcomed in lots of cafes in the Lake District and every pub that I can think of.
As we’d only had lunch an hour or so ago we resisted the tempting café treats and settled for a refreshing glass of wine and soaked up the wonderful view.
Just as we were leaving, the steam-powered yacht ‘SS Gondola’ was majestically sailing up to Coniston Pier. This stunning Victorian working artwork is a great way to sail the length and breadth of Coniston Water and sample the luxury travel once experienced only by wealthy Victorians. Sailing times can be seen here>>
As you’d expect in the ultra dog-friendly Lake District, dogs are welcome onboard too ❤️
We finished off our mini day trip with the leisurely drive back to Nibthwaite along the western shores of Coniston Water.
We could have stopped off for a drink at several lovely pubs with beer gardens on the short drive back to Nibthwaite, but instead, we opted for a relaxing, peaceful drink in the private garden back at the cottage.
A great walk, a lovely drive and a whole lot of views and priceless memories.
Thank you Coniston Water, you are truly beautiful, magical and awe-inspiring.
You can see our gorgeous Coniston Water cottages here>>