Heather Troughton, who was born and bred in Coniston, shares the things she loves about this former Lancashire village
The views
There’s not a place in Coniston where you don’t get a really good view – of the mountains, the lake or the village. There is some beautiful architecture in the village, some old slate and stone buildings and some nice modern ones which have been built sympathetically. I think if John Ruskin were to come back I don’t think there would be much he wouldn’t recognise. It has modernised and kept pace with the times, but it has maintained its heritage and its character.
The community
This is a very important thing to me and is probably something I have become even more aware of since I joined the Parish Council. Everyone in Coniston is willing to do something to help. Everybody here knows everybody else and that’s a good thing because it means you’re never alone. Both the schools are really good and doing well and there’s a great surgical practice – it all makes for a really good village life. There’s a nice mix of the older generation and younger people – some who have moved in to the village and others who have moved back – so there’s a vibrant feel to Coniston.
The diversity
The pubs here all sell beer and food but they’re all completely different in their characteristics and their feel. We have three grocery stores in the village and if you can’t find something in one, you’ll find it in another, even the touristy shops are all different. You don’t always get such variety in villages around the Lake District but I think it’s one of the real plusses for Coniston that we have that range. I like the fact that it’s changing all the time but retains a traditional village feel.
The lake
It can be really peaceful or really busy, but it’s always a nice place to visit. I think I prefer it when it’s busy, there’s a real hum and buzz about Coniston on a nice day when the sun shines and there’s crowds of people visiting.
The Old Man
I couldn’t list my five favourite things without mentioning it, could I? Coniston wouldn’t be Coniston without it and it’s great to be able to take a walk up there – when the weather’s not too bad – and take in all the views.
Heather Troughton was born and brought up in Coniston and has been a member of the Parish Council for about 16 months. The 31-year-old lives in a rented home that was once a holiday let. As well as her five favourite things about Consiton, she shared her two least favourite things – the weather and the parking. ‘I like it when the village is busy and it’s a good thing that we have a lot of unrestricted parking areas,’ she said. ‘But on busy days parked cars can narrow the roads and make it very difficult to find somewhere to park.’
To find out more about Coniston, contact the village’s Tourist Information Centre on 015394 41533.
