Coniston

Until the copper mines, dating from Jacobean times, were revitalised about 1859, Coniston was a scattered rural community. It features 'The Old Man of Coniston', rising dramatically behind the houses when seen from the village centre. Coniston is a good centre for walkers and climbers, and those wanting to investigate the Tilberthwaite Slate quarries. The Victorian period was one of great prosperity for the community, when many wealthy patrons, including John Ruskin settled in the area. He lived for the last 30 years of his life at Brantwood, just across the lake. Donald Campbell broke the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1955, and was killed attempting to regain it again in 1967. He is now buried in Coniston.