Why visit Coniston?
The Old Man of Coniston
Get those waterproofs packed for a Coniston camping or glamping trip – it’s likely you’ll do a whole lot of walking in all sorts of weather near this Lake District National Park village. There’s so much excellent trekking to be had here, including up to the Old Man of Coniston. The three-hour hike – where you’ll gain 820 metres in height – rewards roamers with spine-tingling views over the lower Furness Fells. Climb from the Walna Scar road up over Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag before finally reaching the top and letting out an 'ahhhh'...
Coniston Water
The third-largest lake in the region by volume, and fifth-largest by area, Coniston Water has a perimeter of around 14 miles – all of which is walkable should you be up for stretching your legs a bit more. It’s also fab for fishing: settle in on the banks to reel in everything from perch and pike to trout and charr, some of which weigh up to a whopping 20 pounds. You can also sail on the Steam Yacht Gondola, a Victorian vessel that stops off at the lakeside Brantwood manorhouse.
Tarn Hows
Upmarket abodes are all around the Lake District, but a particularly stately spot is the Monk Coniston estate, formerly owned by children’s author Beatrix Potter before she bequeathed it to the National Trust. The tarn – three small bodies of waters artificially linked when the area was damned in Victorian times – is a lovely landmark to stroll around. The relatively flat 1.5-mile conifer-lined trail encircling this mountain lake is a family-friendly hiking option.
The best things to do in Coniston
Once you’ve hiked the Old Man and wandered around the lake and tarn, these are your unmissable experiences when camping in Coniston:
* Try Bluebird Bitter, a Coniston Brewing Company beverage, at the 400-year-old Black Bull Inn
* Scramble up the Church Beck ghyll, a deep ravine, during an organised adventure tour
* Have a go at rock climbing on the challenging Dow Crag
* Pick up local produce from the butcher, baker and grocer for a campfire dinner
* Visit the Ruskin Museum, an establishment dedicated to English art critic John Ruskin
Delve deeper into Coniston
More meandering
For a leisurely amble when camping in Coniston, head to Hawkshead on a four-mile walk from your Coniston campsite, stopping at the tearooms and shops before returning via bus. Up for something a touch more challenging? You could also navigate your way towards Levers Water, a small lake at the head of the Coppermines Valley above Coniston, on a seven-mile loop.
Lake Windermere
Our campsites in Coniston are around a half an hour drive from Lake Windermere, so visits to this famed body of water are also on the cards during your Lake District break. As well as – yet more – walking, you can try sailing, paddleboarding or kayaking at the activities centres lining the banks. Bowness-on-Windermere is a pretty village for wandering around too.
Grizedale Forest
Just a 20-minute drive from campsites near Coniston, Grizedale Forest serves up a good-old-fashioned day out in nature. Choose from eight walking routes, like the Millwood trail, which is easily navigable with a pushchair, or rent a mountain bike and whizz past centuries-old trees. You can also seek out sculptures – there are 40 scattered around the forest altogether – and keep your eyes peeled for red deer and red kites. Adventurous young campers might like to zoom down the zipwire at the Go Ape course too.
Here’s how
Now that those waterproofs are packed, it’s time to set your sights on a top Coniston camping spot. We’ve got traditional parks that allow campfires – a must for warming up after chilly treks in the fells or wild swimming in the lakes – and modern options with facilities like wifi. If you're camping in Coniston with a crew, you’ll want pitches that fit multiple units.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to search through our Coniston caravan sites? We’ve also got camping and glamping pods, along with lodges and log cabins.
If you need more inspiration, browse these filters:
* Coniston campsites with electric pitches
* Dog-friendly camping in Coniston
Other popular parts of the Lake District for a holiday include Ambleside, Penrith and Keswick. There’s also the nearby Yorkshire Dales for more hiking holidays in spectacular scenery.
You can learn loads about camping before you go with our useful guides; skim through articles on everything from glamping on a budget to building a fire.
