Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ruskin Museum
MUSEUM This museum, in the center of the village, is divided
into the Coniston Gallery, the Ruskin Gallery, and the new Bluebird wing. The first
gives an insight into Coniston's past, delving back thousands of years with displays
and computer images of old Coniston. Among the artifacts you'll see a preserved hog,
slate from the mines, lace and crafts from the local cottage industry, and Arthur Ran-
som's dinghy,
Mavis.
The Ruskin Gallery provides insight into John Ruskin through
personal possessions and mementos, photographs, busts, letters, and his collection of
mineral rocks. The Bluebird wing has numerous exhibits relating to Donald Camp-
bell's
Bluebird,
and eventually it will hold a reconstruction of the fateful boat.
Off Yewdale Rd., Coniston.
&
01539/441164.
www.ruskinmuseum.com. £5.25 adults, £2.50 children
6-16, £14 family ticket. Early Mar-mid-Nov daily 10am-5:30pm; mid-Nov-early Mar Wed-Sun 10:30am-
3:30pm. Closed Dec 24-26.
Entertainment & Nightlife
You can rent rowboats and sailing dinghies at
Coniston Boating Centre,
Lake
Road, Coniston (
&
01539/441366;
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk).
Summitreks
also
operates from the lakeside at Coniston Boating Centre, offering qualified instruction
in canoeing and windsurfing. You can rent a wide range of equipment from the nearby
office at Lake Road (
&
01539/441212;
www.summitreks.co.uk). A few miles south
of Hawkshead,
Grizedale Forest
has nature and forest trails, mountain-bike cycling
routes, and a cafe.
Where to Eat & Stay
Black Bull
ENGLISH/INTERNATIONAL A pub, inn, and brewery, the Black
Bull dominates the main crossroads in Coniston. A former coaching inn dating back
400 years, it counts artists and poets among its former clients. It has a micro-brewery,
the Coniston Brewing Company, which produces several types of ale, bitter, and
stout. These make a good accompaniment to the beef chili, scampi, and roast chicken
on the menu. There are also 15 en suite
guest rooms
(£90-£100 double, with Eng-
lish breakfast), all basic but clean and comfortable, two in small cottages.
Yewdale Rd., Coniston.
&
01539/441335.
Fax 01539/441168. www.blackbullconiston.co.uk. Reserva-
tions recommended. Main courses £9-£16. MC, V. Daily noon-2:30pm and 6:15-9:30pm.
16
Buckle Yeat Guest House
You'll pass this pretty 17th-century Lakeland house
as you stroll to Hill Top Farm (see above). In the flower-filled front yard, you'll often
see a stuffed mannequin of Mr. McGregor, feared by the rabbits in Beatrix Potter's
Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Inside,
the decor is traditional, furnished with dark wood
antiques and an open log fire where guests can warm themselves with Mr. McGregor,
who is brought inside for the winter. Guest rooms are individually decorated but all
are light and airy with a comfortable country feel.
Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0LF. www.buckle-yeat.co.uk.
&
01539/436446
.
6 units.
£80-£90 per week. Rates include English breakfast. MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Lounge; breakfast
room.
In room:
TV, hair dryer.
The Drunken Duck Inn
MODERN BRITISH People come to this out-of-the-
way family-run inn to feast on its creative menu, which can include Cullen skink,
roasted pumpkin risotto, or duck breast with bean cassoulet. Most of the 16 standard
guest rooms
are above the inn, but all are light and airy with quality furnishings
(£95-£295 double, including breakfast). Superior and deluxe rooms have more space
and king-size beds; some have courtyard and mountain views.
