Coniston Water ranks as the third largest lake in the Lake District, at five miles long and half a mile wide, the maximum depth is 184 feet and the clarity of the water is a real winner with anglers. At Hougun Manor we have a particular affection for Coniston Water, which is natural as our beautiful 90 acre landscape overlooks the west shore. This means that the Lord Titles team really know how to enjoy a day out on Coniston Water, and here are our top tips!
1. Coniston Boating
It’s not just rowboats of the Swallows and Amazons variety that can be hired on the shores of Coniston Water from the Coniston Boating Centre, although those rowboats are incredibly popular with people celebrating their favourite children’s novel. So whether you fancy yourself as Arthur Ransome or are more at home in a dinghy, whether kayaking floats your boat or you’d rather rely on an engine and hire a motorboat, there is something for everyone.
2. Angling on Coniston Water
Fishing is free on Coniston! While the trout that were once numerous have declined catastrophically, and the char are also less common than they were a couple of decades ago, the pike fishing is still good and experienced anglers bring in fish up to 20 lb. Winter fishing from the shoreside is generally productive whilst summer angling is usually from boats to avoid the number of picnickers and even swimmers!
3. Explore the shoreside
Several sites, including the Coniston Boating Centre, hire out both mountain bike and electric bikes so that visitors can experience the beautiful scenery of the fells around the lake.
4. Cruising at Coniston Water
If sailing is too much like hard work, you can still enjoy the beauty of Coniston Water by taking a trip on one of the Coniston Launches. These stop at a variety of points around the lake, including Brantwood, which was the home of John Ruskin, Victorian art critic and philosopher. For the romantic at heart, why not book a trip on the steam yacht Gondola - a beautifully restored vessel that harks back to a more opulent era.
5. Picnic in style on Coniston Water
Perhaps the most chilled way to enjoy Coniston Water is to pack up a picnic and simply sit on the shore and enjoy the stunning views whilst eating a delicious meal made with some of the Lake District’s famous local ingredients such as Cumberland sausages, Hardwick lamb, Grasmere gingerbread and Kendal mint-cake.
