Coniston
This is night No 35/2018 staying in my caravan. I'm now at Coniston Coppice C&MC Site, near the village of Coniston in the Lake district. An absolute 'steal' at £44.80 for 4 nights!
Got up around 0600 to a glorious morning. The sun was shining, and it was already T Shirt weather, at 0600! Took the dogs a short walk around Strathclyde Park.
After breakfast, and with the prospect of a 2.5hr drive, I decided to take the dogs right round the reservoir/loch/pond which is the main feature of the park. I think it's around a 4 mile walk. It's where some of the rowing events were held during the Commonwealth Games. Great facility, but spoiled by the litter which seems to be everywhere. Central Belt syndrome.
There's even the ruins of a Roman Military Wash House.
Left at around 1000. The drive took just over 2.5hrs in lovely weather. Arrived here at Consiton around 1300. It is a massive caravan site, certainly one of the biggest (pitch numbers) that I've been on. 244 pitches, but laid out throughout a very large forest, so you can only see the van next to you and feels very private.
The only feeling I'm getting though is that dogs are welcome, but always on leads. There are a lot of sheep, which seems to be the reason. Mine will just have to try and adjust to it, as they are not used to it!
Coniston Water is literally a 2 min walk from my van, but goes across a sheep field. This is where Donald Campbell died in his boat. Strange, you can buy Bluebird (his boat) memorabilia, cups, t shirts etc, in Consiton and there are 2 Glamping pods on this caravan site...one called 'Donald', one called 'Campbell'. A wee bit disrespectful I would have thought?
Nicely kept farm between here and Coniston.
Towards the 'Old Man'.
Lovely afternoon.
Some nice places on the outskirts of Coniston.
Coniston is a very picturesque little place.
And after about 1.5hrs, it was back to my pitch in really warm weather. Must be in the 20's, and its after 6!
Got up around 0600 to a glorious morning. The sun was shining, and it was already T Shirt weather, at 0600! Took the dogs a short walk around Strathclyde Park.
After breakfast, and with the prospect of a 2.5hr drive, I decided to take the dogs right round the reservoir/loch/pond which is the main feature of the park. I think it's around a 4 mile walk. It's where some of the rowing events were held during the Commonwealth Games. Great facility, but spoiled by the litter which seems to be everywhere. Central Belt syndrome.
There's even the ruins of a Roman Military Wash House.
The only feeling I'm getting though is that dogs are welcome, but always on leads. There are a lot of sheep, which seems to be the reason. Mine will just have to try and adjust to it, as they are not used to it!
Coniston Water is literally a 2 min walk from my van, but goes across a sheep field. This is where Donald Campbell died in his boat. Strange, you can buy Bluebird (his boat) memorabilia, cups, t shirts etc, in Consiton and there are 2 Glamping pods on this caravan site...one called 'Donald', one called 'Campbell'. A wee bit disrespectful I would have thought?
Nicely kept farm between here and Coniston.
Towards the 'Old Man'.
Lovely afternoon.
One thing that is obvious when you come off the M6 and head west into the Lake District is that it is very busy. Grasmere seemed to be mobbed with all the parking spots on the road looking full, and Ambleside was absolutely heaving. I wanted to stop there, but there was no way I could have managed it with the van attached. I think the nice weather and the upcoming holiday weekend has boosted visitors.
In the late afternoon, we took a walk along a NT path towards Coniston. Nice path, but unlike NTS, they have sheep on NT land (!).
Some nice places on the outskirts of Coniston.
Coniston is a very picturesque little place.
And after about 1.5hrs, it was back to my pitch in really warm weather. Must be in the 20's, and its after 6!
Sorry to read how the initial impression was of the sheer business of Grasmere and Ambleside. Indeed, the downside of their beauty comes when it is combined with their accessibility. They are, however, terrific spots, although I've never had to stop with a caravan attached. Hopefully you'll get into the Wainwright-inspired hills over the next few days which, if my memory is right, are mostly above the "sheep line". There's a lot of great history in that area and I look forward to reading what you uncover.
ReplyDeleteLooks lush dad! So green! Particularly like the photo of hamish crashed out! Xxx
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