Coniston

The Coniston Fells, including Weatherlam and Swirl How, offer some of the best walking and climbing in the Lake District.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of opportunities for those who want to enjoy the wealth of activities available on Coniston Water.

A boating centre at the end of Lake Road has rowing boats, dinghies and canoes for hire.

But if a leisurely tour of the lake on board a larger vessel is preferable, the opulent Victorian steam yacht Gondola offers a variety of trips, including themed tours of the shores that provided much of the inspiration for Arthur Ransome's famous children's adventure series Swallows and Amazons.

Hearty snacks, ice creams or warming drinks, depending on the weather, are available on the lakeshore at The Bluebird Café, named after the craft in which Donald Campbell made his ill-fated attempt to break the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1967.

The slate-built village itself, set above the lake, also has plenty to offer the sightseer. In keeping with its remote location, there are a number of outdoor gear shops, alongside cafes and tea rooms devoted to serving-up steaming soup, mugs of hot tea and mouth-watering cakes to those returning from the surrounding fells.

The pubs are good, too, and include The Sun with its stunning views and The Black Bull, The Crown and the Yewdale Inn in the village centre. Tucked behind the Bull is the Coniston Brewing Company, a microbrewery famous for creating Bluebird Bitter, which was named as the Champion Beer of Britain 1998.

Main attractions...

Coniston has seen humanity advance from the Stone Age to the modern era. For the perfect introduction to the past and to the great Victorian thinker and social revolutionary visitors can peruse the John Ruskin museum. There is also an exhibition on Donald Campbell and the Bluebird story.

Brantwood, John Ruskin's grand and beautiful house on the east side of the lake (accessible by car or on the Coniston Launch), opens daily with exhibitions of Ruskin's life and work.

Walks...

Long: While not for the faint-hearted, it is hard to beat a trek up all 2,653ft of The Old Man of Coniston. Coniston's Tourist Information Centre has good guides and advice for those attempting the ascent.

Short: Enjoy the Dalesman, a five-mile stroll beside Coniston water through glorious woodland and over delightful open fell.

Events...

Coniston 14, a punishing and popular fell race in its 25th year, April.

Coniston Country Fair- July .

Lakeland Country Fair- August.

Brantwood House Illyria Outdoor Theatre - Performance of Macbeth, July 25 and performance of Wind in the Willows, August.

For more information...

Coniston Tourist Information at Ruskin Avenue, 015394-41533.