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Coniston Water
Coniston Water is a glacial lake that has its origins in the Ice Age. It is located in the Cumbria region of the Lake District, an area of international repute owing to its natural attributes. Like the Lake District, Coniston Water is a much-visited, place with an extremely attractive stretch that has many historical events associated with it. Since Roman times, Coniston Water in the Lake District has been used for transportation. Copper was mined by the Romans in the fells located above the lake and continued until the 19th century. The discovery of a potash kiln and other items reveals that industrial activity continued to occur in medieval times. Near the shores of Coniston Water in the Lake District, the remains of Bronze Age agricultural settlements were found. Coniston Water in the Lake District was also a rich source of fish for the monks of Furness Abbey in the 13th and 14th century.
Until the late 18th century, Coniston Water of the Lake District was also known as ‘Thorstein’s Water’, a name it assumed following its occupation by the Norse invader. In the Lake District today, Coniston Water is simply called ‘Coniston’ by locals. John Ruskin, famous Victorian artist, philosopher and owner of Brantwood house on the eastern shore of the lake, lived here from 1872 until his death in 1900. The children’s novel, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ and some of its sequels, written by Arthur Ransome, mention a fictional lake. It is believed that Ransome drew much inspiration for his novel from Coniston Water.
Coniston Water in the Lake District is also world renowned for the recurring attempts to break the world water speed record. While Sir Malcolm Campbell set the record in 1939 at 141.74 mph, Donald Campbell, the son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, set four successive speed records between 1956 and 1959. Sadly, in an attempt to exceed a speed of 300 mph, Donald Campbell achieved a speed of 320 mph but lost his life during the record breaking attempt when he crashed. Coniston Water in the Lake District also gained notoriety, following the controversial, ‘Mrs. Carol Park’ murder case. Following the incident, it was dubbed the ‘Lady in the Lake’. It was also included in a novel of the same name by author, Raymond Chandler.
To enjoy a boating tour around Coniston Lake in the Lake District during the summer months, visitors can travel on board a steam yacht and two smaller motorized launches. Additionally, boats of various sizes, from kayaks and canoes to larger personal craft, can be hired. Brantwood, on the eastern shore of Coniston Water in the Lake District, offers unrivalled vistas across the lake which includes the Old Man of Coniston. Coniston Water also has three small islands that are owned by the National Trust of the Lake District. All in all, Coniston Water is a lake with its own special charms and well worth a visit during any tour of the Lake District.
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