Manchester → The Old Man of Coniston

Manchester → The Old Man of Coniston

Out of the city. Onto the fells.

Tired of traffic and takeaway? Trade concrete for crags with a long weekend in Coniston, where quiet trails, cold lakes, and ancient fells are just two hours from the city.

🚗 Day 1: The Fast Exit

  • Leave Manchester Friday after work – beat the rush if you can.

  • Drive north on the M6 to Junction 36, then wind through Windermere and Ambleside toward Coniston (approx. 2–2.5 hours total).

  • Stay in a local inn, wild camp (if you're experienced), or book a lakeside cabin.

Tip: Try the Sun Hotel or The Coniston Coppermines cottages for cozy bases with character.

Evening: Grab a pint at The Black Bull Inn — same spot where author and climber Alfred Wainwright once drank after long days on the fells.

🥾 Day 2: Climb the Old Man of Coniston

This is the big one.

  • Start early from Coniston village, following the well-marked trail to the summit of the Old Man (803m).

  • Pass Coppermines Valley, Low Water, and derelict slate quarries — a haunting reminder of the region’s industrial past.

  • At the top, catch panoramic views over Dow Crag, Coniston Water, and on a clear day, even the Irish Sea.

  • Bring layers and snacks — the weather turns fast.

Optional extension: Loop round via Swirl How and Levers Water for a longer ridge circuit.

Afternoon: Recover with a cold dip in Coniston Water or Levers Water — brisk, beautiful, and better than any spa.

Evening:

  • Light a fire. Watch the sunset behind the hills.

  • Maybe stay silent a while — the stillness up here does something to you.

🛶 Day 3: Water, Woodlands & Wind Down

  • Hire a canoe or paddleboard on Coniston Water in the morning.

  • Explore the shoreline or drift under the shadow of the fells.

  • Visit Tarn Hows for a gentler, magical walk through woodland trails.

  • Stop by Brantwood, the lakeside home of John Ruskin — full of art, nature, and radical old ideas.

  • Grab lunch at a local café before heading home.

🧭 Final Tips for Your Lake District Escape

  • Best time to go: April–October. Autumn is quieter, spring is lush.

  • What to bring: Boots, waterproofs, warm gear, a thermos, and maybe a book for slow mornings.

  • Travel light. Pack real food. Embrace bad weather.

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