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The house is surrounded by some of
the most spectacular scenery of the Lake District and set within
250 acres of woodland.
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Brantwood was the home for John Ruskin
from 1872 until his death in 1900.
It became one of the great literary
and artistic centres in Europe and is filled with Ruskin's drawings
and watercolours and much of the original furniture.
Ruskin is seen by many to have challenged
the moral foundations of 19th Century Britain in poetry, art and
criticism.
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| View from Brantwood
towards Coniston village and the Yewdale fells |
As a keen conservationist, he understood
the damage that man was causing to the natural environment. From
his study in Brantwood he recorded the climatic impact of pollution
and he foresaw what we know as the 'greenhouse effect' almost 100
years before the term was coined.
The Brantwood Estate is currently
owned by the Brantwood Trust and includes more than half a mile
of lake shore and over 100 acres of broad leaved woodland.
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| Sally Beamish, estate
manager, and her mum Pat, prune an apple tree in the gardens. |
Sally Beamish is the estate manager
with the responsibility for looking after the gardens, paths, walks
and woodlands of Brantwood.
She has worked there for over 14
years and says that working within a living laboratory and on steep
terrain is a daily challenge.
Wherever possible she uses natural solutions to problems and Sam,
a former competition driving pony, is her companion on the forest
tracks. He hauls loads deep amongst the trees where access, even
with 4-wheel vehicles is impossible.
How to get to Brantwood
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| The view from the
pier towards Brantwood |
Getting to Brantwood is easiest by
using the ferry services from just outside the village of Coniston.
There is ample parking.
Two ferry services are available.
The National Trust operate the Steam Yacht Gondola whilst a private
company, Coniston Launch operates a 30 seat boat.
Steam Yacht Gondola
The Steam Yacht Gondola
was first launched in 1859 and following complete renovation by
the Trust, now provides a steam-powered passenger service on Coniston
Water. Travelling on 'Gondola' is an experience in its own right
and the perfect way to enjoy some of Britain’s most dramatic scenery
from the yacht’s opulent interior. It carries 86 passengers.
Until the coming of the railway in
1859, the 5½-mile ribbon of Coniston Water was a remote and little-visited
place. One year later, the railway company launched the elegant,
84-foot steam yacht Gondola as an added attraction for tourists
and it continued to ply the lake until its retirement in 1936.
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| The car park at Brantwood |
A car park for around 25 cars is situated
a short walk from the house.
By Bus
Stagecoach Cumbria run the 'Coniston Rambler', an hourly service
(505) from Windermere and Ambleside. You should alight at the Waterhead
Hotel near Coniston to catch the boats.
Service details can be obtained from Tourist Information Centres
or Traveline on 0870 608 2608.
Ruskin Explorer Ticket
This combined ticket includes return bus journey to Coniston, Boat
return on the North Lake service, and entry into Brantwood House.
Contact details and address
Brantwood
Coniston
Cumbria
LA21 8AD
015394 41396
Tell us about your visit and send
us your digital photos of Brantwood or other Cumbrian attractions
to cumbria@bbc.co.uk
so we can include them for others to enjoy.
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