Tucked along the east shores of Coniston Water is Brantwood, the enchanting home and gardens of John Ruskin, leading Victorian naturalist, thinker, art historian and writer.
Ruskin’s life (1819-1990) spanned the Victorian Era. His influence lived longer. He believed in the power of art and nature to transform people’s lives believing they could enrich them more than material possession alone. His creed was “There is no wealth but life”.
As well as being a leading art critic and social reformer, he was a pioneering conservationist and predicted that industrialisation would have negative consequences on the natural world and human wellbeing. In this sense be was a forerunner of modern day environmentalism.
He inspired the creation of The National Trust and the National Parks movement.
Today his former home and gardens are open to the public.
We took the scenic route: via ferry boat across Coniston Water from Coniston jetty.
The home itself offers insight into how Ruskin lived and worked. With spectacular views over Coniston Water you can tour the rooms in which he wrote famous works, as well as his bedroom and living quarters.
Outside the house you can tour the amazing gardens which fan up from the house and shoreline, stretching steeply up the hillside.
The gardens, which are run in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, are divided into three areas. First there’s the area leading up from the shoreline to the house. This is relatively accessible for all.
There is an area called The Professors Garden which Ruskin himself created. Close to the house, it was an area where he experimented, grew vegetables and cultivated plants that interested him.
There is also the High Walk on a raised level, offering great views westwards over Coniston Water.
The house and gardens have a wonderful café called The Terrace. Based in Brantwood’s former coach house, brunch and lunch offerings are available, all presented with spectacular views over the lake.
Ruskin died 125 years ago, but by visiting his house and garden you really do feel his presence, his influence and his legacy. The home and gardens he created are testimony to his life and work. His ideas were unconventional, challenging and radical at the time. Today, they are the common wisdom. Nature is a positive force in all our lives and needs to be cherished and protected. The natural world is there to be enjoyed. And there’s nowhere better to do so than at Brantwood, on the shores of Lake Coniston.
You may also be interested in;
Rydal
Kelmscott Manor, the country home and garden of William and Jane Morris.
Charleston house and garden