From June 2006 to June 2009 a restoration project was undertaken on the Monk Coniston Estate, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aimed to help visitors enjoy this beautiful corner of the Lake District and bring alive the fascinating story of how the landscape was created.
The project achieved:
- Restoration of the gardens at Monk Coniston Hall
- New facilities at Tarn Hows
- New access routes
- New interpretations, educational opportunities and resources
- Involvement of many volunteers
 
© National Trust
Garden restoration
With the help of many dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers we managed to uncover and restore the overgrown walled garden at Monk Coniston Hall. The crumbling garden walls were repaired, gaining a Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) Award of Merit, the historic potting shed and cold frame restored, and the original 1890s pathways reinstated. Volunteer gardeners are now growing flowers, fruit and vegetables in parts of the garden. For the best view of the garden visit the viewing platform in the top corner.
To learn more take a peek at our Garden restoration photo gallery
In the wider grounds of Monk Coniston Hall, further paths have been reinstated to enable visitors to explore the historic tree collection.
New facilities, Tarn Hows
A new building with toilets and an education room was opened in May 2008 at Tarn Hows. Providing WCs at a rural site is an environmental challenge; ours uses a low water use system, is clad with locally sourced larch and has a growing sedum roof.
The much-needed education room contains information and interactive displays about the fascinating history and ecology of the area, including an artwork of ceramic tiles depicting the trees of Tarn Hows.
© National Trust
New access routes
The project installed a total of 1456 m of new access across the Estate. A new permissive path through the grounds of Monk Coniston Hall links Monk Coniston with Tarn Hows and allows visitors to enjoy the tree collection and walled garden. It also links the Monk Coniston Estate with the National Trust Steam Yacht Gondola.
© National Trust / David Ward
Re-surfacing of the circular path around Tarn Hows is now complete, providing an improved surface for all, especially users of wheelchairs and pushchairs. A new off-road path at the head of Coniston Water is also newly open.
New interpretations
New interpretations across the Estate include panels, displays at Tarn Hows, information in Monk Coniston garden gazebo and potting shed and leaflets available at Coniston TIC.
The diverse wildlife, facilities and access routes across the Estate make it ideal for an educational visit. For more information see the visiting schools page.
Volunteering
Slash! Burn! Dig! Discover! Research!
This project would not have been possible without the hard work and enthusiasm of over 1000 volunteers, carrying out garden restoration work, clearing vegetation, seeking archaeological evidence, path building and carrying out historical research and botanical surveys. Volunteers will continue to work in the walled garden into the future. A huge thank you to all those who have been involved!
© National Trust
Find out more
For more information on the project's achievements and how these link with the history of the Estate download our 'Understanding the Landscape' article.
Funding
This project was made possible thanks to a grant of £450,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund with supporting funding from The National Trust, the Lake District Sustainable Development Fund, Cumbria Vision, The Tourism and Conservation Partnership and private donors.
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