Coniston

The village near the head of Coniston Water (anciently known as Thurston Water) grew to about its present size not as a tourist hotspot but as a centre of copper mining and slate quarrying. Today, however, it attracts walkers and climbers around the year as well as those seeking less strenuous enjoyment of the Lake District scenery.

Coniston, the Village 1912

Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
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The great 19th century thinker John Ruskin lived for many years on the opposite bank of the lake. His house Brantwood is open to the public. He is buried in Coniston churchyard under the monument illustrated in the photograph below.

Coniston, Ruskins Monument 1912
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
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In the mid-20th century the quiet of the water was often broken by the sounds of world water speed record attempts by Donald Campbell who eventually was killed when his boat Bluebird flipped and crashed at high speed. Both Ruskin and Campbell are commemorated in the local museum.

Coniston, the Lake 1912
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
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