Blog

Christmas is coming… Winter is a magical time to visit the Lake District; from snow-capped mountains and frosted fells to glowing shop windows and welcoming pubs with roaring log-fires; there’s no better place to escape to this November and December. And with many of our cosy cottages featuring log-burners or open fires (should you wish to roast any chestnuts on them), a pre-Christmas break in the Lakes can be the perfect antidote to the manic festive rush. And once you’re here there’s plenty to see and do, with opportunities aplenty to fill your stockings as well as your stomachs at…

For some true solitude amongst vast wide open spaces expand your trip to the Lakes with a visit to one of Cumbria’s stunning beaches. Blessed with mile upon mile of golden sands and with a magnificent mountainous backdrop, Cumbria’s coastline is dramatically under-explored by the millions who visit the Lake District National Park every year. Below are some of the best beaches within easy reach of Coniston and the surrounding area. Each beach is dog-friendly all year round so no one need miss out on what these expansive locations have to offer. Please do remember to check the tide times…

Munro bagging. Bag a Wainwright. Bag that mountain summit. These we have all heard of but there is one more thing that I love to ‘bag’ in the Lake District, and that is the humble tarn. A tarn is defined as a small mountain lake and there are hundreds of them. What’s better is they are often quite high up a mountainside. The rules are simple. Hike up to a tarn, and jump in. You don’t need to do a big swim but you need to at least get your entire body underwater. No, dipping your toes in does not…

By Rachael Parkin If you’re coming to the Lake District for a cottage holiday, chances are it’s because you want to enjoy one of the many serene, shimmering lakes, tarns, meres and waters the area has to offer. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite lakeside walks from short, wheelchair-friendly strolls to more rugged 10-mile hikes; there are walks below for all ability levels. All these waterside routes feature beautiful lake and mountain vistas with no major hills to tackle and are the perfect way to spend either half an hour or an entire day in this…

By Rachael Parkin Coniston Mountain Rescue answered over 50 call-outs throughout 2018. The calls covered everything from walkers missing in wintery weather, people in need of medical assistance, injured mountain bikers and even stranded dogs. Some callouts required the presence of up to 20 mountain rescuers, all of whom work as unpaid volunteers. And this is just the Coniston team, similar teams are based at Cockermouth, Duddon and Furness, Kendal, Keswick, Kirkby Stephen, Langdale Ambleside, Patterdale, Penrith and Wasdale and together attend to around 500 call-outs every year. Each team consists of highly trained volunteers who are fully prepared to…

I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I’ve been doing these blogs and I have not yet featured one on swimming. I know. It’s ridiculous considering for quite some time I was known as Sean Conway – The Swimmer. It even says that on my Wikipedia page (If someone knows how to change that I’d be ever so grateful) Anyway, living in Coniston and not swimming is like being French and not eating all the baguettes, and when it comes to dipping your toes into the often-icy water there is one particular swim that I love the most.…

By Rachael Parkin Heading to the Lakes this summer for a cottage holiday? Wondering how to keep the whole family busy whilst keeping at least some hold on the purse strings? Keeping the kids occupied and entertained all summer can be an expensive business. If you’re on a budget or simply looking to alternate paid for activities with cheaper days out then here are a few of our ideas for keeping the whole family busy in the glorious Lake District this summer. 1. Grizedale Forest Whilst Grizedale has some fantastic, paid for activities on offer such as Go Ape Tree…

Lake District Show Season – Take in a show this summer By Rachael Parkin July marks the beginning of the Lake District’s agricultural show season. Being a predominantly rural landscape The Lake District has sheep, lots and lots of sheep. Breeds such as the famous Herdwick along with other forms of livestock play an important role within the Cumbrian economy. Consequently, agricultural shows, which bring farmers and traders together, are important events, both economically and socially, growing bigger and more popular as each year passes. Around 20 shows are held each year in Cumbria and the Lakes of varying sizes.…

Coniston Food Blog – Where to Eat Nothing makes you hungrier than a day spent roaming the fells. Fresh air, exercise and adventure are all guaranteed to combine to give you the heartiest of appetites. For a modestly sized village Coniston has a broad range of food offerings to satisfy even the most ravenous of post-ramble cravings. There is also an abundance of cafés, perfect for a pre-fell, carb-loading breakfast, for afternoon respites or simply as an excuse to stop, relax, and eat cake (as if such an excuse is ever needed). From traditional pubs with roaring fires to modern…

Copper (in our) Veins – Coppermines Valley Art Trail A series of stones and sculptures gilded in copper will soon form a trail through Coniston’s Coppermines Valley as part of a temporary art installation to celebrate the area’s natural heritage. Artists Jessica Elleray and Siobhan Miles-Moore – both of whom are united through their use of copper in their work, will launch the ‘Copper (in our) Veins’ trail on August 10. Following a series of public workshops – which can be booked at The Ruskin Museum on July 21 and 27, 28 August and 21 September, stones of all sizes…