The friendly, trusted and experienced team at Brantwood Coniston are thrilled to announce that from 12th April, they are welcoming visitors back to their gardens, Severn Studio and Terrace café.

Brantwood was home to John Ruskin from 1872 - 1900, a charismatic individual who was born in London in 1819 and is famous for being a prominent writer, artist and social reformer. Perched on the hillside at the Northern end of Lake Coniston, it is simply the perfect place to explore during the beauty of spring and as we head towards a more prosperous summer.

‘Brant’ is Norse for steep, and Brantwood’s steep woods were first worked by Norse invaders in the ninth century. With a stunning diversity of flora and fauna, these ancient semi-natural woodlands comprise half the 250 acre estate. Elsewhere, the estate ranges from lakeshore meadows to high, open fell.

The estate is a paradise for walkers of all abilities, from low level rambles to energetic hikes, to Crag Head. Not to mention that at the heart of the estate there are eight unique and breath-taking gardens, designed and planted by Ruskin and his cousin, Joan Severn.

Particularly with more of us taking up walking, what better way to connect with nature than by donning your walking shoes and discovering the 250-acre estate. The estate contains rare and ancient trees, flowers, fungi, resident and migrant birds, and thousands of species of insects, with deer, badgers, mice and foxes also calling it home. Although the woodland and gardens change dramatically through the seasons, the one constant is the tranquillity and the views.

Take a breather on your ramble and perch on one of the many benches dotted around, watch the birds feeding on the newly installed feeder. For children, the free kids packs encourage close observation of the flowers and wildlife, with bird identification and sketching activities.   

Booking your ticket is quick and easy through the website. This year, along with the single visit tickets, you can instead purchase a season ticket at just £12 for 12 months, with kids enjoying free visits, making for the perfect family day out.

All that exploring may stir up an appetite, but not to worry, as The Terrace Coffee House and Restaurant serves up a variety of creative and seasonal dishes. The menu includes hot lunches, salads and specials, cakes, scones, savoury baked goods, as well as a range of local beers, gins and soft drinks to enjoy as you kick back and relax and admire the extraordinary views of Coniston Water and the Coniston range. Between 12th April and 17th May, it is outside seating only, but with one of the best views in the lakes, it is a wonderful place to be on a Spring day.

Your safety is very much their number one priority at Brantwood, which is why covid-19 measures have been put in place throughout the estate and its surroundings to ensure you are well looked after and feel at ease every step of the way.

The next stage of reopening for Brantwood will be from 17th May where, in line with the loosening of Covid restrictions, Brantwood house will reopen, along with two new exhibition spaces that will leave quite the lasting impression for all the right reasons.

The first is The Treasury, a treasure trove of Ruskin’s crystals and minerals where over 300 of his 2,000 specimens can be viewed.  The vast collection is spread between the main house and The Treasury. Within the house itself, you will also find the original mahogany specimen cabinets and drawers together with three navy blue leather-bound mineral catalogues, all in Ruskin’s own script.

The second exhibition to open this summer is The Wild Loft. This new display will introduce visitors to the incredible abundance of life and variety to be found in the estate. It will also showcase how Ruskin examined and fell in love with nature and how he became both a restraining influence and moral conscience for nations all around the world.

To round off a visit to the house in spectacular fashion, you can purchase a lovely gift or two at the gift shop such as postcards, Ruskin related books, mugs, pencils, and greeting cards.

So, if you are looking to visit a place of inspiration, heritage, culture and character, then look no further than Brantwood Coniston. 

To book a visit to Brantwood or to find out more, visit: www.brantwood.org.uk

A: East of Lake, Coniston, LA21 8AD

T: 015394 41396

Email: enquiries@brantwood.org.uk

Twitter: @RuskinsFriends

News and Star: