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Welcome to The Ruskin Museum

Opening Hours

From Monday 30th October 2023 we will go onto winter opening hours which are:

Closed Mondays, open Tuesday- Sunday from 10.30am until 2.30pm

 

WE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 2.30PM ON FRIDAY 8th MARCH TO ALLOW US TO INSTALL BLUEBIRD K7.

WE HOPE TO REOPEN AROUND 20th MARCH BUT WILL CONFIRM THIS ONCE K7 HAS RETURNED TO CONISTON.

 

SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.

“The most thought-provoking in the Lakes”

– The Rough Guide to the Lake District

Set in the heart of Coniston Village, The Ruskin Museum tells the fascinating ‘Story of Coniston’ and the many heroes that have lived and worked here.

Mask Wearing

Mask wearing is no longer mandatory but we do advise if the museum is particularly busy that they are worn.

Hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes are still available throughout the museum and we advise that you socially distance from other groups where possible. Toilet facilities are open but we ask that you sanitise before use. Above all else, please respect everyone’s choices and enjoy your visit.

Visitor Safety Guidelines

Coniston: a Place to Discover:

  • The sheer courage and endeavour of World Water and Land Speed Record holders Donald Campbell and his father Malcolm;
  • The inspiration of Victorian polymath John Ruskin, his influence of on our lives today and the beauty of his watercolours and drawings;
  • Our very own WW1 hero Lance Corporal James ‘Jimmy’ Hewitson, VC who lived a stones throw from the Museum
  • The toil and resilience of the early copper miners and quarry men;
  • The imagination of Arthur Ransome and his tales of Swallows and Amazons;
  • The bravery of the first rock climbers, founders of the Mountain Rescue;
  • The creativity and dedication of the Langdale Linen and Lace makers;
  • Our quiet, unnasuming violin maker, Bert Smith, greatly admired by Yehudi Menuhin

Support the Ruskin Museum

As a charity, we rely on support from visitors and donations. The past few years have been particularly difficult for museums and the heritage sector. If you would like to donate to the Ruskin Museum your donation will go towards the future care and conservation of our collection. Many Thanks

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Museum History

There has been a Ruskin Museum in Coniston since 1901, when W.G. Collingwood, a local artist and antiquarian who had been Ruskin’s secretary, set it up as a memorial to Ruskin. This original collection is now housed in the Museum’s Ruskin Gallery

In 1999 the Museum was extended with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant to include the Coniston Gallery full of local heritage displays and again in 2008 with the creation of the Bluebird Wing, purpose built as the future home of Donald Campbell’s iconic hydroplane Bluebird K7 and a tribute to both Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell CBE

Therefore, as well as the Ruskin collection, the Museum houses many other exhibits including Coniston Coppermining, Slate Quarrying, local geology, Ruskin Lace, rock climbing, farming, Arthur Ransome and of course speed ace Donald Campbell.

Plan your visit to The Ruskin Museum

OPENING TIMES & PRICES