So Much, So Near
How Head Cottage has so much to offer to a wide range of tastes, without venturing very far at all.
Right on the doorstep, you can wander into Grizedale Forest just a few steps along the lane. You can walk over to Hawkshead through the forest or to the Grizedale Centre and the renowned Sculpture Trail.
Only a mile along the lane is
Brantwood,
home of John Ruskin at the end of the 19th century and now a treasure house of
his ideas and art. With 250 acres of constantly redeveloping gardens,
centuries-old woodland and walks up to open moorland you can easily spend hours
there. When hunger hits, Jumping Jenny Restaurant in the old coach-house
serves marvellous food with the wonderful view over the lake as a bonus.
Set off in the opposite
direction and you can walk to visit Tarn Hows, one of the most famous (and
justly so) beauty spots in the lake District. The walk will take about 45
and then you can go right round the tarns and back by another route, perhaps
into Coniston itself.
Coniston village is 1.5 miles away on the other side of the lake with shops, pubs, wine bar and the most amazing museum for a village of this size. Use the interactive computers to find out about the history of the area from formation millions of years ago through the Ruskin years and more recent events such as the exploits of Donald Campbell. Don't forget to visit the Tourist Information Centre, now run by the community and offering a local-based information service, maps and guides and a variety of souvenirs and gifts. Buy a Coniston Loyalty Card and receive valuable discounts at a range of local shops and cafes.
Longer walks can take you up
Coniston Old Man, with Goats Water, Low Water and Levers Water lying in their
own upland basins and a whole series of further peaks lined up to keep your legs
going.
At a lower level there are walks up the Coppermines Valley and beside the lake.
There you can take trips on the
solar-powered Coniston
Launches or steam-powered yacht Gondola,
or hire a battery-powered (or even arm-powered!) boat at the Boating Centre and
go your own way.