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Famous CumbriansYou are in: Cumbria > People > Famous Cumbrians > John Ruskin and Brantwood  John Ruskin and BrantwoodOn the shores of Coniston Water, in the shadow of The Old Man, is Brantwood the home of John Ruskin. Ruskin and BrantwoodJohn Ruskin was born in London in 1819. He was the son of a sherry merchant and a Croydon inn keeper's daughter. 'Modern Painters' was his first major work begun in 1843 as a defence of Turner. This work spans five volumes and took 17 years to complete. Ruskin was responsible for burning all the erotic pictures by Turner. Gossip has it that he had a wedding-night shock when he discovered that his wife, Effie Grey, had pubic hair - the marriage was never consummated! Brantwood was purchased by John Ruskin in 1871. He paid 拢1,500 for it, unseen. Ruskin moved to Brantwood on 12 September 1872. 'Brant' is Norse for steep. The house is surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery of the Lake District and set within 250 acres of woodland. Brantwood was the home for John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900.  It became one of the great literary and artistic centres in Europe and is filled with Ruskin's drawings and watercolours and much of the original furniture. Ruskin is seen by many to have challenged the moral foundations of 19th Century Britain in poetry, art and criticism. As a keen conservationist, he understood the damage that man was causing to the natural environment. From his study in Brantwood he recorded the climatic impact of pollution and he foresaw what we know as the 'greenhouse effect' almost 100 years before the term was coined. The Brantwood Estate is currently owned by the Brantwood Trust and includes more than half a mile of lake shore and over 100 acres of broad leaved woodland. Sally Beamish is the estate manager with the responsibility for looking after the gardens, paths, walks and woodlands of Brantwood.  She has worked there for over 14 years and says that working within a living laboratory and on steep terrain is a daily challenge. How to get to BrantwoodGetting to Brantwood is easiest by using the ferry services from just outside the village of Coniston. There is ample parking. Two ferry services are available. The National Trust operate the Steam Yacht Gondola whilst a private company, Coniston Launch operates a 30 seat boat. Steam Yacht GondolaThe Steam Yacht Gondola was first launched in 1859 and following complete renovation by the Trust, now provides a steam-powered passenger service on Coniston Water. Travelling on 'Gondola' is an experience in its own right and the perfect way to enjoy some of Britain鈥檚 most dramatic scenery from the yacht鈥檚 opulent interior. It carries 86 passengers.  Until the coming of the railway in 1859, the 5陆-mile ribbon of Coniston Water was a remote and little-visited place. One year later, the railway company launched the elegant, 84-foot steam yacht Gondola as an added attraction for tourists and it continued to ply the lake until its retirement in 1936. By BusStagecoach Cumbria run the 'Coniston Rambler', an hourly service (505) from Windermere and Ambleside. You should alight at the Waterhead Hotel near Coniston to catch the boats. Ruskin Explorer TicketThis combined ticket includes return bus journey to Coniston, Boat return on the North Lake service, and entry into Brantwood House. Contact details and addressBrantwood last updated: 21/04/2008 at 09:02 SEE ALSOYou are in: Cumbria > People > Famous Cumbrians > John Ruskin and Brantwood |
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