Coniston Launch - location
Coniston Water lies in the southerly part of the English Lake District, about 5 miles to the West of Windermere.
by car
From the North there is a good road from Ambleside via the foot of the Langdale Valley (Skelwith) and through Yewdale. From the East the approach is from Hawkshead over a steeply graded road with a couple of 'hairpin' bends. There is ample parking at High Cross (the top of Hawkshead Hill) for those wanting to enjoy a walk down to our jetties.
From the South there are two routes that join at Torver. That from the old market town of Broughton in Furness, and the road that runs from Greenodd via Lowick to meet the southern end of Coniston Water at Blawith.
Parking is possible in Coniston village, either along the roadside or at the pay Car Park by the Tourist Information Centre. There is lakeside parking (pay and display - £3 for 4 hours) at the Boatlandings. If this area is full you can park for a modest sum in the local secondary school in Lake Road and walk down to the Boatlandings. There is car parking at the Waterhead Hotel near the North end of the lake.
by service bus
Stagecoach Cumbria runs the 'Coniston Rambler', an hourly service (505) from Windermere and Ambleside. There is a combined ticket (the Ruskin Explorer) that includes Bus and Boat return on our Northern Cruise and Brantwood House entry - ask the bus driver for a 'Ruskin Explorer' ticket. You should alight at the Waterhead Hotel near Coniston to catch the boats. Service details can be obtained from Tourist Information Centres or Traveline on 0870 608 2608.
Cross Lakes Shuttle
This service links Bowness, Hawkshead, Grizedale and Coniston Water using Windermere Lake Cruises launch from Bowness (Pier 3) to Ferry House, then Mountain Goat minibus to Hawkshead where you transfer to the Stagecoach bus. The interchange with our Northern Cruise is, again, at the Waterhead Hotel, Coniston. You just buy ONE TICKET that covers all these services. For further details of this enjoyable service phone Traveline on 0870 6082608.
by private coach
If you are bringing a group by coach then there are free coach spaces at Coniston Boatlandings and at the Waterhead Hotel if you are using their facilities. You can approach Coniston by any of the routes identified for cars except from Broughton (the road is too narrow in places).