The grounds at Monk Coniston Hall are full of fascinating trees, collected and planted by the families who have lived here. We've put together a Tree Trail leaflet and an audio guide to help you make the most of your visit to the grounds.
Tree Trail leaflet
This leaflet guides you round some of the weird and wonderful trees in the grounds. Pick up your copy from Coniston TIC before your visit or download a sneak peak of the leaflet here.
Audio Guide
You can download the finished tour here and take it with you on your walk through Monk Coniston gardens. Simply save the tour onto your computer, then upload onto your MP3 player, mobile phone or PDA. Then take a tour of the trees through the eyes of the local children.
© BBC Cumbria
In September 2008 we ran a joint project with the BBC and Coniston Primary School. Six children from the school spent two days with National Trust and BBC staff, learning about the trees and writing and recording the audio tour. On the audio tour each child will share with you the story of their tree, and point out things to look out for on your walk.
Directions
© National Trust / David Ward
To enjoy the tour park at the Monk Coniston car park (Grid ref: SD316978) at the head of Coniston Water. Please note this is a Lake District National Park Authority pay & display car park - NOT National Trust. You can also walk from Coniston village on off-road paths.
When you leave the car park follow the route signposted for ‘Tarn Hows via Monk Coniston’ that takes you up through the field opposite. The audio tour begins at the gate in the railings at the top of this field.
© BBC Cumbria
The tour consists of seven tracks. There are directions for where to stop and listen on the audio tour itself, beginning at the gate in the railings.
History and tree specimens
© National Trust
James Garth Marshall was one of the key figures in the expansion and planting of the garden. He lived at a time of Victorian exploration, when explorers brought back exotic trophies from all over the world – including seeds and plants.
Marshall’s particular passion was for exotic trees, especially conifers, and he planted many weird and wonderful specimens around the grounds of his house, at Tarn Hows, and across the wider Estate.
Why not refer to the list of tree species as you walk around the grounds of the house? We are in the process of labelling the tree collection so that visitors know what they are looking at. Monk Coniston Hall itself is privately tenanted, so is not open to the public, but many of the trees can been seen from the permitted footpaths.
Acknowledgements:
This audio tour was created by the children of Coniston Primary School, BBC Cumbria, BBC Create and Connect and the National Trust.
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