Brantwood

About the museum

Brantwood is a historic house on the eastern shore of Coniston Water in the Lake District. It was the home of John Ruskin, the Victorian writer, artist and social reformer, who died in 1900. Ruskin wrote and drew to study the world around him, championed the work of Turner, and became an influence on the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts and Crafts movement and many later social reformers.

The house is now run as a museum and arts centre by an independent charity, the Brantwood Trust. Displays tell the story of Ruskin's life and ideas, and what is shown at any one time is a rotating selection from the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University, which holds the world's largest archive of Ruskin material. The Severn Studio, a refurbished Edwardian artists' studio, hosts exhibitions through the year.

The Treasury, a dedicated exhibition centre, shows the John Ruskin Mineral Collection. More than 2,000 specimens that Ruskin collected, together with their original cabinets and catalogues, returned to Brantwood after an absence of nearly a century.

The 250-acre estate includes eight gardens created by Ruskin, his cousin Joan Severn and the head gardener Sally Beamish, with woodland trails and views across the lake to the fells. The Zig-Zaggy, a terraced path based on Dante's Purgatory, is among the best known. Visitors can arrive by road or by boat from Coniston, and the house also offers accommodation and rooms for events.

Highlights

• Ruskin's former home with rotating displays from the Ruskin Library
• The Treasury: more than 2,000 mineral specimens collected by Ruskin
• Eight gardens, including the Zig-Zaggy inspired by Dante's Purgatory
• 250-acre estate with woodland trails and lake views
• Severn Studio exhibitions
• Arrival by Coniston Launch or the steam yacht Gondola

Permanent exhibitions

• Ruskin's House – Rooms in John Ruskin's former home with displays on his life, art and ideas, drawn from the Ruskin Library collection.
• The Treasury - The John Ruskin Mineral Collection – An exhibition centre showing Ruskin's personal collection of more than 2,000 mineral specimens in their original cabinets.

Operated by

The Brantwood Trust

Admission & discounts

A house and gardens ticket also works as an annual pass for unlimited entry for a year. Admission can be treated as a donation if Gift Aid is applied. £1 off with a Coniston Launch or steam yacht Gondola ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground-floor rooms of the house can be reached by wheelchair, with a ramp at the main entrance and a permanent ramp to the dining room; the two first-floor rooms are not reachable, but photograph albums and information are shown in the hall. Access to the Severn Studio is limited by steep outdoor steps. The gardens have steps and steep paths and are not suitable for wheelchairs, although the lower gardens suit most visitors. A wheelchair can be borrowed in the house. A Braille information sheet is available, and individual tactile tours can be arranged. Guide dogs are welcome in the house and restaurant. Disabled drivers can park near the main entrance (limited spaces).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Children aged 16 and under enter free. Activities for all ages include garden and woodland trails and observation and art activities. Baby-changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

A North West Explorer combined bus, boat and Brantwood ticket is available on board the bus. From the car park there are entrances to the upper gardens and, across the road, to the harbour walk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Terrace Coffee House and Restaurant in Ruskin's coach house serves home-cooked food and has a terrace with lake views. Bookshop and gift shop; there is also an online shop. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and the café.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

The Loft seats 60, the Severn Studio holds 50-60, and the Terrace holds up to 60 inside and 60 outside. Catering is available by arrangement.

Plan your visit