The village is two thirds the way up the Duddon valley, with Seathwaite
Tarn beyond. Wordsworth wrote 35 Duddon Sonnets , including one that mentions
the church and its vicar, the Rev Robert Walker, known as "the wonderful
Walker" because of his good works
Coniston
The lake is dominated by the 2600 foot mountain called Coniston Old Man,
and is perhaps best known for the series of world water speed record attempts
by Donald Campbell, which ended with Campbell's death on Coniston in 1967.
The steam yacht "Gondola" launched in 1867, has been restored
by the National Trust, and now runs daily services from Coniston Pier.
The village still retains the atmosphere of its mining past, and there are
disused copper mines a mile north of the village.
To the north east, about 2 miles off are The tarns, believed by many to
be the prettiest of the Lakeland waters
The Victorian writer John Ruskin lived at Brantwood on the eastern shore
of Coniston from 1871 to 1900. The house is now administered by an educational
trust, and contains many items associated with Ruskin
Torver
A hamlet with post office, inn, church and shop. The present church was
built in 1883 on a site that has has Christian worship since the 12th century.
There is a car park and picnic area on the lake shore here
Grizedale Forest
On the hills above Brantwood, the Forestry Commission has created, in Grizedale
Forest, the first of its ventures to encourage visitors by providing special
facilities. A visitor centre, nature trails, forest walks, tree nursery, wildlife
museum are some of the things on offer
In addition there is the Theatre in the Forest which holds a variety of
concerts during the summer
Blawith
Just half a mile south of Coniston Water. There is a very nice walk along
the shore of Coniston from Blawith to the centre of Coniston
Above the village is Blawith Fell, where there used to be a beacon, hence
you can find Beacon Tarn there.Both Blawith Common and the adjoining Torver
Common are open to the public for walks and picnics
