Coniston Water is situated in the southern section of the county and is accessible from many of the main tourist centres by public transport. There are daily ferries operating on the lake throughout most of the year, with a reduced timetable during the winter. In addition, the National Trust have a restored steam gondola operating in summer.
Coniston Water is famous for its connection with Donald Campbell's World Water Speed Record attempts, but also has a range of other places of interest, including Brantwood (the home of John Ruskin) and Coniston Old Man (for fell walkers). The lake was also used as an inspiration for the novel 'Swallows and Amazons' by Arthur Ransome.