Past Times

The area of Coniston known as The Banks is a collection of terraced houses on the hillside above the village. They were built for miners and their families. Often large families with six or more children, living in these two up, two down cottages, without running water or any of the trappings of modern life. Many of them are now holiday homes, some have been 'knocked through' to make larger properties.

Here's another picture of 'The Banks'. This one is taken on Bank Terrace and I am holding an old photograph from around 1900 showing some of the residents from that time. You can see the same front door step in both pictures as well as the same clematis growing up the side of the door.

Just along from The Banks is Slantriggs, the house where my Grandad was born. One morning while he and his brother Frank were in bed, the roof fell in on them. Of course they had to move out and the old building has suffered much in the hundred years since.

It's not difficult to imagine how nice it could be here with a lovely garden area and views down over the valley to the lake and beyond. Attempts have been made to restore or rebuild, but the access is poor and planning permission always gets refused.