Out on Sunday’s weekend away will be in Coniston in the Lake District. We have a jam-packed weekend for you and some suggestions for additional or alternative activities if you don’t fancy the planned walks or events. Or perhaps you are planning to arrive early or stay on a day or two after all the fun and wish to fill the extra time! Here is the itinerary for the weekend.
If you’re not planning to stay for the weekend in Coniston but wish to join us for the walks or evening meals please let us know so that we can look out for you. We look forward to seeing you in Coniston.
Dave H, Patrick, Phil G.
OoS walk weekend organisers.
ITINERARY
FRIDAY 15 JUNE
Travel to Coniston and book into your weekend accomodation.
Visit to Sizeargh Castle 12.00pm
For those planning to travel earlier in the day, we are suggesting an optional visit en route to Coniston at Sizergh Castle – a medieval castle and National Trust property. We will aim to meet at 12pm to allow time for lunch and adequate time for looking around the house and gardens. It’s another hours drive from here to Coniston. Cafe and garden open from 10am, house from 12pm. Tickets are £11.50 for the whole property or £7.50 for gardens only. NT members free. Dogs only welcome in the outer park area not the gardens.
Evening Meal and Meet up 7.00pm onwards
Official Out on Sunday meet up at the Black Bull Inn in the centre of Coniston and we’ll dine at 7pm – not booked a table etc so fairly informal set up. If you don’t fancy dining here please join us later in the evening after your meal.
SATURDAY 16 JUNE
Option 1: Tarn Hows walk
Meet at 11.00am at the Crown Inn, in the centre of Coniston (situated opposite the Tourist Information Office). A picturesque walk up to Tarn Hows lake. We will have fine views of the Old Man of Coniston, Lake Coniston and continue onto the idyllic setting of Tarn Hows. Walk leaders will be Patrick and Dave.
It is approx 6.5 miles and should take about 4 to 5 hours, including rest breaks, lunch and most importantly – time to admire the fantastic views. The walk up to the Tarn begins on the level but eventually becomes a long steady climb. The path is uneven and loose gravel in places but once at the Tarn, the walk is fairly level and on good paths. Sturdy shoes recommended. Also waterproofs, sun lotion etc to cover all weather possibilities!
Please bring your own lunch and drinks. There is an ice-cream van at Tarn Hows car park where you can buy a coffee and ice-cream but otherwise no cafes or shops. There are also free public toilets here.
Option 2: Tarn Hows drive and walk
For those who wish to miss out the climb, you can drive up to the Tarn where there is a large car park. Then join the main group for the two mile, fairly flat walk round the lake. Please let us know if you wish to do this easier option. Meet at the Crown Inn 12.00pm to arrive at the Tarn for 12.30pm. Parking at Tarn Hows £6.50 (NT members free).
Phil G will be on hand at the meet point.
Option 3: Free to explore Coniston
Meet at the Crown Inn 12.00pm. Alternative option for any non-walkers – there is the Ruskin Museum, Steam Gondola on Lake Coniston, Donald Campbell and Ruskin graves, plus several teashops! See below for details. Phil G will be on hand to offer information.
Evening meal: The Crown Inn at 7.30pm for 8.00pm.
There are 20 of us booked in for the meal at the Crown Inn.You should have submitted your meal choice and paid in advance into the OoS bank account. If you would like to join us for the meal but haven’t yet let us know – please do so by 5pm on Friday 8 June so that we can confirm final numbers with the pub. Contact Out on Sunday for the menu.
SUNDAY 17 JUNE
Option 1: A ride on the Steam Yacht Gondola on Lake Coniston and walk to Brantwood.
Meet at Coniston Pier, Lake Road at 10.30am to board at 10.45am. The Steam Yacht Gondola sails at 11am and it is a 55 minute sail to Parkamoor where we disembark for our 6 mile walk along the Brantwood Trail. The walk should take approx 3-4 hours and we can catch the 3.55pm return Yacht to Coniston from the Brantwood Jetty. (We have not reccied the boat trip or the walk). We should be back in Coniston by 4.15pm. Walk leaders will be Patrick and Dave.
Please bring your own lunch and drinks as it is unlikely we will have time to stop off at Brantwood House or cafe. Sturdy footwear recommended as are waterproofs and sun lotion of course!
If you would like to participate in this boat trip/walk, please let us know by 5pm on Friday 8 June so that we can book tickets in advance. Gondola tickets for the walkers cruise are £15.00. If you are a NT member please let us know – there is a 10% discount for NT members and you will need to present your NT membership on the day. Depending on demand, we may ask you to pay in advance into the OoS bank account. Dogs are welcome in the outside saloon areas of the yacht.
Option 2: Coniston lakeside walk to Torver jetty and boat trip.
Meet at 11.00am at the Crown Inn for a two mile walk along the lakeside to Torver jetty. We can then take the 12.05 boat – Coniston Launch to Brantwood (Home of John Ruskin). Allowing time to view the House and Gardens we can return to Coniston on the 14.20 or 15.35 launch. Walk leader will be Phil G.
If you would like to participate in this boat trip/walk, please let us know by 5pm on Friday 8 June combined tickets for launch and Brantwood House & Gardens are £15.00
Sunday afternoon.
Return home after the day’s activities. Some walkers are staying on for an extra night – if this is you, please make yourselves known to the walk leaders if you wish to meet up for an evening meal and social on Sunday evening in Coniston.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Contact details
If you have any problems or need more info over the weekend please contact weekend organisers: Dave H – 07929 829 284; Patrick – 07708 152 106; Phil G – 07923 608 881.
Accomodation
Most walkers who are staying for the weekend are lodging at: The Waterhead Hotel; Lakeland House Hotel; The Apartments.
OTHER INFORMATION/WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
We found the staff very helpful and they offer discounts on admissions and cruiser fares (except Steam Gondola).
In centre of Coniston and features Ruskin, Campbell and Arthur Ransome. Open from 10.00 to 16.30 each day. Admission £6.
NT but chargeable. Three tickets options at weekend: Full Lake Cruise Coniston to Coniston 11.00am – 1hr 45 mins £21; Walkers’ Cruise 11.00am – 45/55 mins £11/15; Head of Lake Cruise Coniston to Coniston 13.00 14.30 15.30 – 45 mins £11. (10% discount for NT members) Dogs welcome in the outside saloon areas of the yacht.
Former home of John Ruskin. House garden and tea shop open from 10.30 to 17.00. Admission £7.70 (£5.35 garden only). Accessible by Cruiser, Gondola or road.
Two routes at various times during the day. Stopping points around lake. Fares for each leg of journey or day ‘hop on and off” tickets. Discounted tickets at tourist office: day ticket c£9 or c£15 including Brantwood admission.
Lovely stop off for tea/coffee and cake near Sizeargh Castle. Well signposted working farm and farm shop selling fresh (raw) milk, local fruit, veg, meat and home baked cakes. Might be worth stopping off on your way home for a little bit of shopping.
A private Elizabethan hall, famous for its topiary and gardens. Not open to the public on Friday and Saturday. Gardens, garden centre and tea rooms open from 10am. House open from 12pm. Tickets for house & gardens £13.90 or gardens only £9.90.
Coniston car parking
For the reccie we parked at Coniston Old Station car park. It is a small car park and likely to be busy on the weekend, as are all car parks in Coniston. Charges are detailed on the website and cash only. Alternatively, there is free on-road parking in Coniston if you can find a space. Or try Coniston Sports Centre which has the cheapest pay and display car park in Coniston and has been recommended by one of the b&b owners.
Other pubs and places to eat
(We have not tried these so unable to vouch for quality, service etc)