Coniston Launch - about us

Coniston Ferry Service Ltd is the formal name of the Company that runs Coniston Launch. The directors are Douglas and Gillian Hodgson.

background

Coniston Launch was founded by Gordon and Margaret Hall in 1992 with one boat (M.L. Ruskin) mainly to run a service between Coniston and Brantwood, but also calling at Monk Coniston. It was soon recognized that there was a need to cater for walkers and, after a couple of false starts, a jetty was established at Torver.

Because of the need to manage coach parties it was thought possible to sustain a second boat. On a trial basis M.L. Iris was chartered from Keswick Launch for most of the 1994 season. This proved successful so a second boat was purchased (M.L. Ransome) that winter and Iris was returned to Keswick.

In 1995 the Special Interest Cruises were further developed and cruises now encompassed the southern end of the lake. Tremendous efforts were made to obtain landowners' consent and planning permission for jetties at various points around the south of the lake but it was not until 1999 that it became possible to run to Lake Bank, Park a Mor and Sunny Bank.

environmentally friendly

For the 2005 season the boats were converted to solar-electric power. Both our launches use electric motors instead of diesel, with solar panels helping to charge the batteries - enabling the boats to be environmentally friendly and quieter. For more information about the solar-electric system used on our launches, please see EnviroBoat Developments.

In 2005 we stopped calling at Monk Coniston jetty, and developed Waterhead as an excellent substitute. Then in 2006 we left Park a Mor and developed Water Park.

In February 2008 the founders Gordon and Margaret left the business and it was taken on by Douglas and Gillian Hodgson.