Coniston Water is the third largest lake in the Lake District and is, perhaps after Ullswater, the best for boating. It lies and a tranquil wooded valley and the 10 miles per hour speed limit effectively bans water-skiing and motor boat racing.
The Coniston Boating Centre, operated by the Lake District National Park Authority, hires a range of different vessels including rowing boats, sailing dinghies, canoes, kayaks, and electric motor boats.
Rates are fairly reasonable can be found on the official website. Boats can be hired for periods ranging from 1 hour to a full day.
The centre offers sailing lessons at all levels, and also rents out a variety of cycles, including electric bikes.
The Coniston Boating Centre is situated in a sheltered bay at the northern end of the lake, at the end of Lake Road and around ½ mile from the centre of Coniston village. Drivers with satellite navigation systems can use the postcode LA21 8EW to find it. There is a pay-and-display car park next to the centre.
The Coniston Launch and Steam Yacht Gondola depart from the piers next to the centre. The Bluebird Café is also here and offers sandwiches, soups, jacket potatoes, hot and cold drinks, and beer and wine.
There’s nothing better than an afternoon messing around in a boat on Coniston. A true ‘Swallows and Amazons’ experience.