6 Fantastic Family Walks Near Coniston
Here in the Lake District, there are endless opportunities to explore and discover the great outdoors. Perfect for family walking, there are short, sharp climbs and long flat circular walks, meandering forest trails and lakeside family walks. In fact, for family walks, Lake District routes are suited to a wide range of abilities. Whether you have babies in carriers or budding adventurers with little legs, older family members or those with reduced mobility, the Lakes is perfect for getting outside and experiencing nature at its finest.
We particularly like Lake District walks with kids around Coniston. Quieter than busier hotspots, the areas west and south of Lake Windermere have stunning scenery, plenty of family walk options and lots of great places to eat along the way.
Below we’ve put together some of our favourite family walks, perfect for those with little legs, longer legs and four legs alike. All these walks near Coniston feature added interest to keep little ones occupied and engaged along the way.
So pack a picnic, lace up your boots and head out to find walks in Coniston that create fun family memories to last until your next visit!
6 Coniston Walks for the Whole Family
The table below shows a summary of our family friendly walks in the Lake District near Coniston. There are plenty more walks around Coniston, but the options below each offer an experience to remember.
Let’s take a look at these routes in more detail.
1. Cathedral Cavern from Tilberthwaite
Best for budding adventurers
Distance – 3.7 miles / 6 kilometres
Difficulty – Easy
Accessibility – Not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or prams
Where to park – Small parking area near Tilberthwaite Cottages
Refreshments – Closest cafés are in Coniston Village, approx. 2.5 miles from parking area
Toilets – Closest public toilets are in Coniston Village, approx. 2.5 miles from parking area
Hidden deep in the woods, the impressive Cathedral Cavern, Lake District, is the destination for this gem of a walk.
The walk starts at Tilberthwaite, easily accessible from any of our Coniston based cottages. This beautiful and serene valley is nestled underneath the imposing Wetherlam mountain. The walk winds its way through Hodge Close Quarries and ancient woodland, before finding a secret tunnel that brings you out into the magical Cathedral Cavern. This Coniston walk absolutely guarantees to delight anyone with an adventurous spirit both young and old.
Don’t forget your torches!
Full Cathedral Cave from Tilberthwaite walks details here
2. Circular Coniston Coppermines Walk
Best for older children
Distance – 4.6 miles / 7.4 kilometres
Difficulty – Moderate – some ascent and scrambling required
Accessibility – Not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or prams
Where to park – Bluebird Car Park Coniston
Refreshments – Herdwicks Café is closest to the car park
Toilets – Bridge Public Toilets + toilets coming soon to the car park
As far as walks from Coniston go, this is one of our favourites. If you’re lucky enough to stay in one of our Mountain Cottages, or perhaps you simply wish to explore the historic Coppermines Valley, this fascinating walk has plenty to offer.
Wander past the ancient spoil heaps and gaze upwards towards the summits of The Old Man of Coniston and Swirl How before winding your way gently around the valley and back towards the village of Coniston.
This is a unique walk in an awe-inspiring valley of national importance and simply not to be missed! The kids will have plenty of rocks, ruins and debris to jump off and climb over, and you can soak up the scenery as they entertain themselves.
Full Circular Coniston Coppermines Walk Here.
3. Tarn Hows Walk
Best for little legs and adults with baby carriers
Distance – 2 miles / 3.2 kilometres
Difficulty – Easy
Accessibility – Accessible path around the tarn from the car park
Where to park –Tarn Hows Nation Trust Car Park (short circular)
Refreshments – Joey’s Café Tarn Hows
Toilets – At car park
No trip to the Coniston area is complete without a walk around the picturesque Tarn Hows. From the National Trust Tarn Hows Car Park, the walk is pushchair and wheelchair accessible.
Tarn Hows Cicrular walking route
For those wishing to explore even further, start this walk near Coniston from Yew Tree Farm (once owned by Beatrix Potter and used as her home in the film “Miss Potter”). Escape the crowds and climb up to Tarn Hows alongside hidden, tumbling waterfalls before emerging at the iconic tarn. If you take the longer route, the total distance is shorter (1.6 miles / 2.5 kilometres) but the terrain much more challenging and not suitable for those with limited mobility. Park at Glen Mary Car Park to start the route from Yew Tree Farm.
4. High Dam
Best short family walk
Distance – 1.9 miles / 3.1 kilometres
Difficulty – Easy
Accessibility – Uneven forest and scree paths
Where to park – High Dam Car Park
Refreshments – Beck Meadow Bothy – shepherds hut selling refreshments – seasonal opening times
Toilets – Lakeside Windermere Public Toilets – approximately 1 mile from the car park
Located nearby to Grange Cottage, close to the shores of Windermere, High Dam is a haven for walkers and wildlife alike. Built to provide water for the nearby Stott Park Bobbin Mill, High Dam is a hidden jewel just waiting to be discovered.
A wooded walk takes you up to a tranquil tarn and the circular route takes in bridges and boardwalks over streams and bogs. Perfect for a spot of troll hunting!
Close by, Lakeside has popular visitor attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Pair your walk with an afternoon at the Lakes Aquarium or take a ride on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Find out more about the area in our visitors guide to Lakeside.
5. Gummer’s How
Best short walk for incredible views
Distance – 1.4 miles / 2.3 kilometres
Difficulty – Easy – moderate
Accessibility – Short, stepped, steep trail
Where to park – Gummer’s How Car Park
Refreshments – Boathouse Café at Fell Foot
Toilets – Fell Foot National Trust – approximately 1 mile from car park
This short, family-friendly walk guarantees simply incredible views, without the need to scale the heights of the region’s more imposing fells. The Gummer’s How walk gives the whole family a real sense of achievement on reaching the (usually rather breezy) summit.
The top of Gummers How provides plenty of envy-inducing photo opportunities with the full length of Windermere beneath you and a stunning backdrop of Lake District mountains before you. This is a great short walk for littler legs that packs a real punch.
Guests staying at Beech Tree Cottage may even be able to spot their holiday cottage!
Gummer’s How out and back walking route
6. Grizedale Forest – The Tarn Trail
Best place for a choice of walks
Distance – 4 miles / 6.5 kilometres
Difficulty – Moderate
Accessibility – Forest trails and uneven terrain
Where to park – Grizedale Visitor Centre
Refreshments – Café Ambio
Toilets – Grizedale Visitor Centre
Perfect for those with very young children who perhaps need a little extra persuasion to enjoy a walk, this gentle stroll has plenty to keep them interested along the way – and it can be pushchair accessible too.
The Tarn Trail is just one of many walking routes in Grizedale Forest Park. This trail is one of the best to find the many sculptures dotted through the woods.
Children can hide in miniature houses and find hidden gems along part of the Grizedale sculpture trail. The walk can also be extended to take in other unique sculptures hidden throughout the trees.
You can also read more about Grizedale Forest Park in our visitors guide to Grizedale, which is on the eastern side of Coniston Water.
Top Tips for Walking with Kids
· Pack the snacks! In our experience, you can persuade (or bribe) a child to do more when there is a tasty treat on offer. Pack plenty of water, snacks, layers and spare socks to prepare for all eventualities.
· Bring a map. Download the OS map for the area you’re visiting or pack a good old paper map. None of these walks are far off the beaten path, but to avoid lengthy diversions and getting lost, make sure you know where you’re going.
· Prepare distractions. You may need to divert your child’s attention from the task at hand, on occasion. Use games like ‘I spy’, or suggest a scavenger hunt to divert their attention from tired legs or bad weather.
· Dress appropriately. Make sure that you pack waterproofs – even if it’s sunny! Welly boots are essential for routes in the Lake District, not just Coniston walks. Warm socks, lots of layers, hats, gloves, sunglasses will all ensure your little ones are comfortable whatever the conditions.
· Don’t rush. Let them jump in puddles and squelch through mud. Rolling down hills might be a distant memory for you but will ensure your child enjoys themselves whilst out exploring.
· Invite friends. We’ve found that a friend, fellow family, cousins and dogs are great motivators to entertain kids. Enlist your friends and other families on your adventures. While the youngsters are busy playing with their mates, they’ll forget they’re on a walk, and you might actually get to finish a conversation in their presence!
Where to Stay for Walks Near Coniston
Our Coniston holiday cottages are within some of the country’s most stunning scenery, and there’s no better way to take it all in than embarking on a rejuvenating, family walk. Stretch your legs, breathe in some fresh Cumbrian air and enjoy the wonderful views along the way.
We have some gorgeous holiday cottages in Coniston Village that are close to Coniston Water, local eateries and plenty to do. Outside of here, we also have Lake District cottages in the breathtaking Coppermines Valley, Torver, Grizedale and overlooking the shores of Coniston Water.
Check out our holiday cottage locations page to find your next Lake District stay, and enjoy a fun-filled family holiday here soon.
