Group Booking

Brantwood is full of interest for group visitors. The spectacular position of the house with views over Coniston Water and the fells, a 250 acre woodland estate with 8 distinctive gardens, John Ruskin’s home full of his art and memorabilia, exhibitions to view, our book and gift shop and restaurant make for a varied and interesting visit. We recommend a minimum of 2 hours for a group visit.

We have free car and coach parking. A “meet and greet” service is available and guided tours of the house or gardens can be arranged if pre-booked. The restaurant can reserve seating for groups and caters for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. The view from the restaurant terrace is one of the best in the Lake District, overlooking the lake and fells beyond.

A great way to visit Brantwood with a group is to come across by boat on either the Coniston Launch or Steam Yacht Gondola. Both have regular sailings to Brantwood’s private jetty thoughout the day. For Steam Yacht Gondola, click here or for Coniston Launch, click here for further details.

Group Rates 2024

Discounted house and garden tickets are available for groups of 10 or more people.

Adult: £13.00 House & Gardens : £9.35 Gardens only

Students:  £10.50 House & Gardens : £7.70 Gardens only

Discounted tickets: £1 off if visiting us via Gondola or Coniston Launch

School groups: infant/junior £3, secondary £5.25

No charge for adult helpers & teachers

Facilities

THE TREASURY – The Linton Room has been refurbished to house The John Ruskin Mineral collection. Ruskin was one of the last great polymaths for whom art and science were inseparable, and one of the Victorian era’s most active private collectors. The display explores Ruskin’s fascination with mountains, minerals and the world of geology.

BRANTWOOD BOOKSHOP– Come and browse in our interesting and carefully stocked bookshop, which has many specialist books on Ruskin as well as a range of gifts and souvenirs.

CATERING – The Terrace Coffee House and Restaurant – Enjoy the spectacular setting overlooking Coniston Water. Newly refurbished and extended, The Terrace is open for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Everything cooked on site uses fresh ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. It is essential that groups book in advance, as failure to do this may result in long delays. Allow at least 1 hour for lunch and groups may have to split if more than 25 people.  Various catering options are available including a soup lunch, 2-course lunch and desert or a picnic as well as cake and refreshments.  Options can be discussed with our cafe when booking.  Particular dietary requirements are also catered for.  Vegetarian and Vegan options available.

DISABLED VISITORS – The majority of the house at Brantwood is accessible to disabled visitors. There is no wheelchair access to two small bedrooms on the first floor although a photo album is available upon request. Large print and Braille guides are available upon request. Guide dogs are permitted into the house.  Disabled toilets are on site and access is available to the restaurant. ‘Brant’ means steep in Old Norse. The nature of the site means that not all the gardens and estate are accessible.

Coach Guidance

Brantwood regularly welcomes coach parties. Confident, experienced drivers do not find it too challenging, however, the approach road is narrow and the following guidance will help drivers plan their route.

Brantwood is located on the east side of Coniston Water, on the C5018. The only approach by coach is from the north end of the lake, as the road south of Brantwood is not passable in a coach.

From the head of Lake Coniston the road is twisty, and narrows to 3.5m in places (the average width of a coach is 2.55m). The road is unsuitable for articulated coaches. We therefore advise the maximum size coach is a 35-seater midi coach. For groups larger than this, there is the option of visiting Brantwood via boat (see further details above).

Coach parking can be reserved at Brantwood.

There is short walk including the main driveway, on a steady gradient, from the car park to the house. Small coaches are welcome to pull off close to the main driveway to the house to allow elderly and disabled passengers to disembark.

Brantwood is an independent registered charity - The Brantwood Trust Coniston Cumbria LA21 8AD enquiries@brantwood.org.uk Telephone: 015394 41396