A gentle stroll on Blawith Common behind the park
To get a great viewpoint above the park, before the cattle grid, turn up the gravel drive. At the top you will see a path onto the common, follow this path keeping the park wall on your left and then continue up the hill for 5 – 10 mins. You will reach a rocky view point offering an amazing panoramic view of Coniston Water and the valley.
Coniston Water
The 3rd largest lake in the Lake District. It’s 5.3 miles long and has 3 small islands owned by the national trust. The Coniston launch and Coniston Steam Gondola provide regular cruises throughout the year to the jetties around Coniston, including Lake Bank jetty located down a foot path in the far right hand corner of the field directly opposite the drive. Famous for being the setting for Arthur Ransome’s book – The Swallows and Amazons and also as the resting place of Donald Campbell who’s craft, Bluebird, took off and sank into the lake on 4th January 1967 while attempting to beat the world water speed record. Most of the Lake shore is accessible to visitors and offers great secluded locations to isolate yourself.
Things to do in Coniston
As well as the usual smattering of Lakeland pubs with roaring fires and craft / gift shops, some other great places to visit in Coniston are….
- Bluebird Café –right on the edge of the lake serving hot and cold food and drinks all day with panoramic views of Coniston Water and the surrounding fells
- Coniston Steam Gondola –Take a nostalgic cruise on Coniston Water in this restored steam gondola from 1859 to find out more click HERE
- Coniston boating centre –Hire a variety of different types of boats and spend the day enjoying the lake. To book your boat online click HERE
Grizedale Forest Park LA22 0QJ (10 miles away)
Grizedale forest is a 24.47 square kilometres of Woodland in the Lake District located to the east of Coniston Water and the south of Hawkshead. The postcode above is for the main visitors centre which offers ample parking. Visit website HERE
- Go Ape Ropes Course
- Segway Hire
- Sculpture trail
- Mountain bike hire and trails
- Children’s playpark
- Café and visitors centre
Further a field, some of the other great attractions
Connishead Buddhist Temple
Ulverston LA12 9QQ (11 miles). Providing a place for quiet spiritual reflection and inspiration. The temple is used every day for meditation and prayers and offers in depth courses and retreats. Click HERE for more info.
Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway
Ravensglass CA18 1SW (22 miles). This magnificent small gauge railway offers 7 miles of stunning scenery with several stops along the route you can hop on and off the train or simply enjoy the full route. For more info click HERE
Windermere Lake Cruises – Lakeside LA12 8AS (11 miles)
Rather than try to find somewhere to park in Windermere, why not sail into Bowness bay on one of the classic cruise boats? Plenty of cheap parking available at Lakeside and boats travelling all day to Bowness and Ambleside. Find out more by clicking HERE
The Box LA12
If you want to have a delicious Afternoon Cheese Board delivered directly to your lodge please place your order on this local business website www.boxla12.co.uk
Bakehouse Born and Bread
Greenodd’s best kept secret! With a friendly Café serving amazing pies and cakes as well as an evening take out service. For more info please click HERE
The Handmade Ice Cream Co. – Greenodd
New to the area, offering a waffle house, ice cream sundaes and milkshakes as well as amazing handmade ice cream. For info please click HERE
Honesty Hut Wallenrigg
WhIle on your lakeside adventure you need to visit WALLENRIGG Honesty Hut. For all your treats, drinks, jams, marmalade and chutney. Located between Broughton Mills and Woodland Instagram #honestyhutwallenrigg
M and T Adventures
Looking for some outdoor adventure on your trip to Crake Valley, we can personally recommend M and T Adventures. They offer various outdoor activities including mountain biking, canoeing, ghyll scrambling, kayaking and paddle boarding to name a few as well as various kids activities days during the school holidays. All are lead by qualified, licenced guides and most water based activities start at Brown Howe Car Park –around a mile up the road from Crake Valley.
Visit their website for more details mandtadventures.co.uk