Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows walk
Walk from the head of Coniston Water to Tarn Hows via this picturesque route created by 19th-century industrialist J G Marshall to wow guests at his country estate.
Iconic views
Pass through Lake District farm and woodland, as well as the walled garden and tree collection of Monk Coniston Hall. Look out for lots of interesting wildlife while enjoying some of Lakeland’s most stunning views. You can also arrive in style by starting your day with a cruise from our Coniston Pier to Monk Coniston on board the Gondola. The 84-foot long steam-powered boat was restored by the National Trust in 1980.
Map
Start:
Monk Coniston car park, grid ref: SD316978
1
Leaving Monk Coniston car park, take the path into the field opposite. Walk up the field to the black gates at the entrance to Monk Coniston grounds.
2
Entering the grounds walk up through the woods and into the Walled Garden which is currently being renovated. Look out for the small stone Gazebo which has information panels inside.
3
Leaving Monk Coniston grounds, take care crossing the road, as you enter the woodland. You'll soon cross a narrow bridge. As you walk through the woods many forestry tracks and paths adjoin but ignore these and stick to the main path, following signposts towards Tarn Hows car park.
Woodland wildlife
Pass through a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous woodland. Look out for the huge redwoods and other exotic conifers on the way. You can also find wood sorrel, one of the many woodland wildflowers you may see on this walk. It's found in old, undisturbed woodland.
4
Arriving at Tarn Hows you can walk around the Tarn on a circular loop where there's a good path with seats. The 19th-century landowner, James Garth Marshall, created the Tarn and planted the many trees that shape this landscape.
5
Return to the main Tarn Hows car park and follow the one-way exit road towards Coniston. Take the first footpath on your right to Tarn Hows Cottage. Before you reach the cottage, take the first footpath on the left, this winds down the hill through fields to Boon Crag Farm. Enjoy the views out over Coniston Water as you go.
Native breeds
Look out for Herdwick sheep (lambs have dark brown bodies and white faces, becoming greyer in colour as they get older), roe deer and hares. Red squirrel are in danger of local extinction but make their home here, as do otter. Common lizards and adders live on the heathland, while adders spend more time basking in the sun than most snakes, so you may see one, especially in early spring when they emerge from hibernation. They have a distinctive dark zig-zag pattern on their backs.
6
When you reach the farm track at the bottom of the hill, turn left and continue past the farm and sawmill. At the road, turn right to join an off-road foot path which leads you back to Coniston Water. When you get to the lake, cross the road and walk left back to the car park.
Steam Yacht Gondola
First launched in 1859 to carry visitors across the lake, the gondola was re-built thirty-odd years ago to bring back to life the Victorian tourist experience. It's a unique craft, a mix between a Venetian gondola and the latest in 19th-century steam technology.
End:
Monk Coniston car park, grid ref: SD316978
