Why the Ruskin Museum is a Great Place to Visit

The Ruskin Museum is a great place to visit when you are staying in one of the Coppermines’ lovely Lake District Cottages. Located on your doorstep in the pretty village of Coniston, this unique and interesting museum was founded by Ruskin’s secretary in 1901 as both a memorial to Ruskin and a celebration of the local area and its heritage. We are looking forward to when this wonderful museum will be open to the public once again!

Ruskin Museum Coniston

Known as a local cabinet of curiosities, this fascinating local lake district museum tells the story of Coniston. Charting its interesting history from the locally found stone axes, through its mining heritage and then the glamour of the jet set 50s and 60’s and the speed records including the story of the Donald Campbell’s Bluebird.

Ruskin – Great Victorian

The museum is named after one of the greatest Victorian’s, Joh Ruskin. His interests were wide and varied and was a true polymath with writings and achievements that spanned art, writing, and philosophy. Ruskin truly believed in the power of art to transform the lives of ordinary people and his art and especially his writing on colour, inspired many more modern artists including the Dada-ist Kurt Schwitters who whilst a refugee in Ambleside visited the Ruskin Museum to see Ruskin’s mastery of colour. So, whether you are an aspiring writer or artist there will be lots to inspire you at the Ruskin Museum.

Inspired by Adventure

One of the many reason people choose to stay in a holiday cottage in Coniston is that it has so many links to outdoor adventures. Whether you want to explore Coniston Water under your own steam in a boat or hop onto the beautiful steam gondola for a more leisurely glide around the lake. You can’t help but be inspired by those that have gone before such as Donald Campbell and his Bluebird and the fantastic Swallows and Amazons stories of Arthur Ransome. If you want to learn more about the inspiring stories based in Coniston then the Ruskin museum also has information, exhibitions and galleries featuring this adventurous history.

A Great Place to Visit

The Ruskin Museum is a great place to visit whether you are interested in the local area, art, history, literature, or adventure. Perfect to visit at any time of year, and not just when it is raining! The museum is in a beautiful location, nestled under the Yewdale fells and has wonderful outside space where you can relax in the sun, bring a picnic, or join in with one of the art workshops that often take place in the summer months (Covid regulations permitting). The museum also has a miniature village and marks the start of the Coniston Coppermines Trail, which is a great walk to do.

Cottages Near Ruskin Museum The Coppermines Lake District Cottages are Coniston specialists when it comes to Lake District cottages. If you want to make this beautiful area your base for your Lakeland holiday then we have a great range of beautiful cottages, in a range of sizes and budgets to suit any family. Whether you want to spend your time steeped in Lakeland history in places like the Ruskin museum, or have adventures in the fells or on Coniston water, you can find your perfect cottage here: www.coppermines.co.uk