Steam Yacht Gondola
The National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola plies her route around Coniston Water; she offers an unrivaled sailing experience of the Lakes.
Plan Around Steam Yacht Gondola
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Steam Yacht Gondola Details
The Gondola, which is the oldest steam yacht in the North of England, was built in 1859 by the Furness Railway Company as an attraction for the tourists they brought by train to Coniston. She was retired in 1936, was used as a house-boat, and abandoned in the 1960's. In the mid 1970's a group of National Trust enthusiasts raised enough money to restore her. The restored yacht was relaunched on 25th March 1980. The trip round the lake starts at Coniston Pier, proceeding anti-clockwise past Coniston Hall (a working farm owned by the National Trust) to Park-a-Moor (without stopping here). The journey then proceeds northwards, stopping at Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin from 1871 until his death in 1900. The yacht then travels the short distance across the lake back to Coniston Pier. You can watch the gleaming steam engine in operation from the open viewing windows and quiz the boat's engineer on its workings while taking in the spectacular scenery of the Coniston Fells and listening to the crew's commentary on the area's history and famous connections. The Lake District National Park Authority's Coniston Boating Centre sits close by Gondola's jetty so if you fancy driving your own boat there are electric motor boats to help you take the strain or you can row, row, row your boat in one of their rowing boats. There are sit-on-top kayaks, open Canadian canoes and paddle boards. If you can sail, why not hire one of their sailing dinghies and follow in the wake of Arthur Ransome's "Swallows and Amazons"? Training and safety equipment is provided. You can book boat and bike hire online through the secure online booking system or get more information by calling on 015394 41366 or email conistonbc@lakedistrict.gov.uk Gondola is on the water from 25 March until 31 October. Grid Reference: SD 30786 97041 Address (near): Lake Rd, Coniston LA21 8EW, UK
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Nearby Parks Around Steam Yacht Gondola
Compare nearby parks around Steam Yacht Gondola when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Steam Yacht Gondola
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Steam Yacht Gondola while the map context is still fresh.
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Coniston Boating Centre
Run by the Lake District National Park Authority, Coniston Boating Centre offers electric boat, canoe and dinghy hire as well as bike hire with a range of trails nearby.
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Coniston Water
Coniston Water, in the southern part of the park, is the third largest lake in the Lake District.
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Steam Yacht Gondola to Parkamoor
This walk combines a moderately challenging jaunt through the Coniston area with an excursion on the steam yacht Gondola.
0.5 mi away
Campbell's Grave
You can't visit Coniston without walking over to the cemetery to see world speed record holder Donald Campbell's grave.
0.6 mi away
Coniston Copper Mines
Do not attempt to enter without an experienced guide.
