Anyone know the Coniston area?

[higgy66]

Hi

On Saturday I'm off to stay in Coniston for a week with all my family - there are 20 of us!

Anyway, just wondered if anyone was from around this area or had been before. I wanted some ideas of places to visit.

Also I wondered if there was a cinema near Ambleside or anything like a laser quest??

Clutching at straws I know but thought i'd give it a shot!

 

[kayleighnik]

I've been camping in Coniston several times as a child, right beside the lake.

Take a walk into Coniston, there's some nice places to eat. You should head into Windemere, Ambleside and take a trip to Kendal, especially for mint cake!

If there's any walkers etc, you could go up Old Man of Coniston, or you could take a trip up to (argh, forgotten the name! Something 'Pass') where there's a pub. I think it might be the highest pub or something...

Oh, you could go to Aria Falls too - thats a nice spot to visit.

There' a horseriding place near/in? Coniston I think...thats always fun!

Sorry I can't remember much! I haven't been for about 9 years!

 

[pigby]

Hi we go to the Lakes a couple of times a year - there is a cinema/restaurant complex in Ambleside called Zeffirellis - www.zeffirellis.com There's also a I-Max cinema up near Penrith called Rheged www.rheged.com - always wanted to go there but have never got round to it.

The nearest laser quest I know is in Barrow in Furness called the Custom House www.1abbeyroad.co.uk, but Barrow is a bit of a way to go - if you decide to visit the Barrow area though, try South Lakes Animal Park which is fab and open all year.

In Coniston itself there is the steam gondola on the lake - we've been on this and it's very plush - interior seating as it's cold out on deck.

There is a great pub and I forget it's name - right in the village centre that brews it's own Coniston Bluebird beer (after Donald Campbell's boat)

We have also been to Ulverston a few times - visiting the Laurel and Hardy museum - it's where Stan used to live - more suited to parties of adults though (although my DD loves to laugh at the old films - there's a tiny old fashioned cinema in there showing Laurel and Hardy films)

If there are a few kids in the party, the Beatrix Potter museum is quite good in Ambleside (although don't expect Disney!) Brockhole Visitor Centre is on the road between Ambleside and Windermere - we caught a boat from the visitor centre to Ambleside in summer and that was fun - there's a few exhibits and a fantastic outdoor adventure playground. Brockhole is free too - just a modest charge for parking.

Our favourite lake and village is Grasmere though - try the gingerbread, walk round the lake, visit Dove Cottage and my favourite little outdoor cafe, The Fairie Garden where you can drink ginger flavoured coffee (and other drinks/snacks) on the shores of the lake (and feed the ducks and hire a rowing boat if you like)

 

[arieljasmine]

We are quite local to the Lakes - there is a lot of flooding around at the moment, so take it easy. Usually I would have recommended the highest pub at the top of Kirkstone Pass too but the road is pretty hairy so it's probably not a good idea with the flooding!

We love the Beatrix Potter exhibition and they have a really nice (if a bit pricey) cafe in there too.

Have a great time.

Laur's