Adventure

Coniston is an idyllic place, it is more secluded, and moves at a slower pace to other parts of the bust Lake District but has all the beauty, charm and amenities you would expect from a world class destination. This part of Lakeland is made a little bit more special, as it was the inspiration for the children’s adventure series Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. Adventures in Coniston Having adventures is what the Lake District is all about and Coniston in particular is a great place for a family holiday to let you little ones enjoy being surrounded by…

The Lake District is the UK’s biggest playground and whether it is running free in the great outdoors or having adventures with activity providers, Lakeland is the perfect place for kids to explore and have adventures. One of the great things about booking a holiday cottage in the Lake District when you have kids with you is that you have your own kitchen so you can prepare the family packed lunch just as they like it and also have a family meal together cosy in the cottage after a great day out adventuring in the fells. If you want to ensure your…

If you’re looking to introduce younger ones to fell-walking. Or if you’re looking for a gentle introduction to the joys of taking to the fells yourself, then we have put together a list of family-friendly fell walks, perfect for first-timers. All these walks are suitable for most abilities and there are no significant dangers, such as drops, scree or scrambling to worry about. Just make sure everyone has suitable footwear, clothing and a map and off you go! Black Fell From Tarn HowsBlack Fell is one of the lowest of Wainwrights summits and easily achievable as a detour from the…

By Rachael Parkin Whether they’re done on short legs or long, young legs or slightly older, wearing size 1 wellies or size 12 boots, get on your feet and stretch your legs on one of these fantastic family walks. These short, easily achievable walks allow the whole family to get out and about, enjoying the fresh air and stunning surroundings of the Lakes together. The walks all offer something extra as a point of interest, to encourage even the most reluctant walkers in the family onwards and upwards; be it the lure of a cave to explore or the simple…

By Rachael Parkin The Coppermines Valley, home to The Coppermines Lakes Cottages, is not only awe-inspiringly beautiful, but it is also important in a national context, being part of the newly listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, included in The Schedule of Ancient Monuments and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Now the valley has become even more special having recently become home to the Coppermines Conservation Area. The owner and founder of the Coppermines Lakes Cottages, Philip Johnston, acquired 65 acres of fell-side towards the southern end of the Coppermines Valley known as Foul Scrow. Since its acquisition…

By Rachael Parkin Depending on your point of view, snow during your stay in the Lake District can be either a blessing or a curse. For some, a pristine blanket of fresh, glistening snow transforming the mountainous landscape to a sparkling winter wonderland can catapult a holiday into the realms of frozen fantasy. For others, the slightest hint of a snow flurry can send them hurrying for warmth, shelter and a hot chocolate. The prospect of being cut off from the rest of the world by a heavy fall can either become an absolute dream come true or a complete…

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…