The Lake District is whispered by many, be it locals or tourists; to be ‘The Most Beautiful Corner of England’ and Coniston Village is no exception.  A real destination for those of us who have wanderlust firmly under their skin and a free roaming spirit in their veins.  An iconic and much sort-after Lakes excursion that takes you on a historic journey that will satisfy your geeky tourist side with a camera draped over you neck, flask in one hand and a map in the other.

The Coppermine’s Valley dwells within the shade of ‘The Old Man’, a Wainwright walk and proudly named after the ‘old men’ of the village that once made it famous.  For a while this used to be the largest Coppermine in England, until it became a thing of the past.  You can still walk amongst the nostalgic elements of Victorian and Edwardian period buildings and gaze at the artefacts, as you are zapped back into the everyday living of the era. 

It is no shock that Coniston is often used as a backdrop for blast-from-the-past period dramas and its old fashioned vehicles of bygone times are a constant must-have for eager directors and documentary producers alike.  As this corner of the world holds the key to inspiration and is brimmed with knowledge for those of us who desires.  Budding photographers get snap happy within Coniston’s beautiful scenery that is naturally layered to perfection.  They trek along the textured crags and stand beneath the foaming waterfalls, as the battle to take the perfect picture begins.

If the great outdoors consumes you with an overwhelming sense of giddiness, take time out to discover the other snippets of heritage that dust the village.  Visit John Ruskin’s grand Brantwood estate, whilst pondering over his art and independent views of life.  Walk around Donald Campbell’s resting place and hear the stories of Bluebird and Coniston’s Lake secrets.  Then treat yourself to a steaming mug of hot chocolate, slice of spongey carrot cake and read quotes from Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons where this classic novel is set.