Low Bank Ground
“I could get a term’s work out of what the children have learned this week”
Low Bank Ground is in the heart of the Lake District on the shores of Conistonwater with magnificent views across the lake to the Coniston Fells. It has extensive grounds, a 100 metre lakeshore, boathouse, jetty and wide range of watersports facilities. Behind the Centre is Grizedale forest with facilities for walking, orienteering, mountain biking and sculpture trails. There are two minibuses for group use and a large diesel boat for lake journeys.
The Centre provides fully catered courses with accommodation in small bedrooms for groups of up to 40. Self-catering weekends and summer weeks can also be arranged with activities provided if required. There are plans of the centre on our Downloads page
Evening facilities include a computer suite with internet access and video conferencing, a multi-media Smartboard, TV, video and CD player, outdoor and indoor games, orienteering and problem solving activities.
History of Low Bank Ground.
The land at Low Bank Ground was originally owned by Furness Abbey and farmed by the monks who also kept a boathouse and a pond in the lower field stocked with fish. With the dissolution of the monasteries in the sixteenth century the land was given to yeomen farmers who continued to keep sheep, cattle and work the woodland adjoining the site.
At the end of the nineteenth century the land formed part of the estate owned by John Ruskin, the artist and social reformer, who lived at Brantwood. Jack Woodman farmed the land from 1933 until 1949. During this time the main farmhouse was modernised and the gardens set out in their present form.
Wigan Council bought the property in 1983 and has made changes to provide comfortable accommodation for groups of up to 40 persons whilst retaining the character of a Country House estate.
The Day Visits Centre, Yew Tree Lodge, was opened in 2007.
