Coniston Water Tours

Coniston Water which includes a pebble beach and a bay or harbor
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Catch views of the Old Man of Coniston, as you cycle around this scenic lake and encounter charming historical villages.

Picturesque forests and a towering mountain loom majestically over the large lake of Coniston Water. At 5 miles (8 kilometers) long, it is one of the largest lakes in England’s Lake District. Rent a boat to explore various islands and find an ideal picnic spot for your family.

Stroll to the lake from the center of Coniston village. Rent a boat for your family from Coniston Boating Centre for an adventure on the water. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboats are available for a hands-on approach. Appreciate the serene ambiance among the sounds of birdcalls. The lake stretches from north to south and is about 0.5 mile (1 kilometer) wide.

Encounter the islands that decorate the surface of the water. Make your way to Peel Island in the southern part of the lake for its peaceful and secluded setting. The site inspired the fictional Wild Cat Island in Arthur Ransome’s book Swallows and Amazons. Enjoy a picnic on the shore of the lake with a view of the island.

Capture photos of the Old Man of Coniston, a mountain rising above the water to the northwest. Learn about the formation of the lake, whose water flows into the River Crake before finding its way to the sea. It is a type of ribbon lake caused by a glacier during the last Ice Age.

Rent a bike to cover the perimeter of the lake and encounter charming villages. Discover the former home of 19th-century artist and critic John Ruskin. His namesake museum also contains information about Sir Donald Campbell, who died boating on this lake in 1967, trying to set a new world speed record.

Visit the pubs, cafés and restaurants in Coniston. Stroll down the cobblestone alleyways of Hawkshead, where you can learn about poet William Wordsworth and writer Beatrix Potter.

The northern point of Coniston Water is just east of its namesake town in the county of Cumbria. Follow a footpath east for 20 minutes or paddle along the Church Beck River to reach the vast lake. It stretches south past the villages of Brantwood, Sunny Bank and High Nibthwaite.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Coniston Water

The Wilson's Arms
The Wilson's Arms
3 out of 5
Torver, Coniston, England
The Wilson's Arms
Large Lake District House in popular village with gorgeous lake views
Large Lake District House in popular village with gorgeous lake views
Coniston
Large Lake District House in popular village with gorgeous lake views
The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
4 out of 5
Hawkshead Road, Cumbria, Coniston, England
The Coniston Inn - The Inn Collection Group
The Sun
The Sun
3 out of 5
Sun Hill, Coniston, England
The Sun
Bluebird Lodge and Waterhead Apartment
Bluebird Lodge and Waterhead Apartment
3 out of 5
Waterhead (B5285), Coniston, England
Bluebird Lodge and Waterhead Apartment
2 bedroom accommodation in Water Yeat, Nr Coniston
2 bedroom accommodation in Water Yeat, Nr Coniston
Water Yeat, Nr Coniston
2 bedroom accommodation in Water Yeat, Nr Coniston
YHA Coniston Holly How - Hostel
YHA Coniston Holly How - Hostel
3 out of 5
YHA Coniston Holly How, Far End, Coniston, England
YHA Coniston Holly How - Hostel
Lakes Hotel and Spa
Lakes Hotel and Spa
4 out of 5
Kendal Road, Bowness, Windermere, England
Lakes Hotel and Spa
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel
3 out of 5
Hawkshead, Ambleside, England
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.