STAGE 2 Coniston to Langdale

DATE The , Coniston

The picture postcard village of overlooked by the rugged peaks of the Langdale Pikes

STAGE 11 miles / 17.5 km - 4.5 to 5.5 hours walking

This stage features a marvellous mix of mostly rolling farmland, woodland, and becks. Lovely Stay awhile... and the small village of Elterwater are at the entrance to , a large U-shaped glacial valley Coniston overlooked by the dramatic rocky summits of the Red squirrel, The village of Coniston nestles Langdale Pikes - , and Pike of under threat from the grey between and The Stickle. but still thriving , its in Lakeland architecture reflecting the Look out for ... woods village’s long history of slate mining. The village is also famous Coppermines Valley - a popular route Langdale Pikes for its now disused copper mines. to the Old Man of Coniston. It is a tranquil place to stay with ’s gravestone and Grasmere an abundance of accommodation memorial in Coniston. Chapel and a variety of small friendly Great Rydal shops. Coniston Water is famous Some of ’s few remaining Stile Langdale Water as the setting for Arthur red squirrels at . Ransome’s classic children’s novel The exhibition centre at . The lake Blea Elterwater Bridge’s slate factory. also hosted Donald Campbell’s Tarn Little new world Elter Water Tips Langdale in 1955. He died on the lake in an attempt to regain the record Visit aboard Gondola Skelwith or the Coniston Launch. Colwith in 1967 on his famous boat Bridge Bluebird, which was reclaimed Make sure your camera’s loaded - from Coniston Water in 2001. Tarn Hows is one of the most Coniston was also the home of photographed spots in the Lake writer, artist and philosopher District. Tarn who lived at Use the footpath just east of Hows Brantwood, a magnificent house Coniston set on the eastern shore of Skelwith Bridge to get closer to Old Man The Dipper, at home Skelwith Force waterfall especially Coniston Water, between 1872 in fast-moving streams and 1900. He is buried in when the river’s high. where it walks along the river bed Coniston churchyard. His life and searching for food work is commemorated in the Ruskin Museum in the village Dog Rose, familiar hedgerow flower, Coniston centre, which also illustrates the symbol of Tudor kings, ancestor development of the village over the centuries. Brantwood is open of the garden rose and rich source of Coniston vitamin c to visitors and can be accessed Water via a number of vessels including the ’s Victorian Brantwood steam launch Gondola and the Coniston Launch. Coniston village and Yewdale Places to visit The Ruskin Museum Tarn Hows... one of Lakeland’s most Brantwood famous unspoilt beauty spots, was part of the Monk Coniston estate Boating Centre which Mrs Heelis () Gondola bought in 1929 and later Coniston Launch bequeathed to the National Trust www.coniston-net.com

Coniston Ruskin Avenue Coniston LA21 8EH

Tel: 015394 41533 Fax: 015394 41802 E-mail: [email protected]

Brantwood The Victorian steam launch, Gondola