Guided Walking at Conistonwater

Monk Coniston is an imposing Gothic property leased from the National Trust and set in 8 acres of grounds, including a restored walled garden and the impressive arboretum. Some particularly impressive specimens, including a Giant Sequoia (the largest tree in the world) and the Wollemi Pine can be explored on the Monk Coniston Tree Trail.

Views from the property offer breath-taking glimpses of Coniston Water and the surrounding mountains.

Coniston village is about one mile away – there is a direct path from the house to the village. Here you’ll find a small supermarket, post office, newsagent, pubs and a Barclays Bank (open 3 times a week). A wider range of facilities is available in Ambleside, the nearest town, about 8 miles away.

The Lake District is England’s premier national park with outstanding mountain scenery.

During your visit to Monk Coniston you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest:

Steam Yacht Gondola

First cruising Coniston Water 150 years ago, the restored gondola is now operated by the National Trust, stopping at the Monk Coniston jetty at the bottom of the meadow below the house before gliding across the lake, calling at Coniston village and John Ruskin’s Brantwood.

Tarn Hows

A short walk from the Country House, this man-made water was created by Monk Coniston’s resident owner, James Garth Marshall in 1865, as he continued to develop the estate and expand his pleasure grounds. He built a dam to flood the area, amalgamating several smaller tarns, before planting the shores and islands with new woodlands and specimen trees.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Ride ‘L’al Ratty’ a highly scenic narrow gauge railway which runs from the coast at Ravenglass along beautiful Eskdale.

Grizedale Forest

Nearby Grizedale Forest is ideal for mountain biking and also has a popular sculpture trail.  You can also experience the Go Ape! high-ropes course – a great option for active teenagers.

Levens Hall

Visit this stately home, famous for its magnificent formal garden and topiary displays.

Literary connections

Discover the inspiration for Wordsworth’s poems by visiting the beautiful village of Grasmere and the poet’s home at Dove Cottage. Yew Tree Farm, the home of Beatrix Potter is located just a few miles away. Brantwood, the former home of the poet and writer John Ruskin is just a few miles away on the shores of Coniston Water.