Route to Coniston Coppice site
We're going to be travelling to Coniston Coppice from the south and our plans were to go M6 -> A590 -> A5092.
I remember reading, I think on the site reviews, advice suggesting not taking the southern route to the site. Why though I can't remember, possibly because of narrow roads.
I've done a virtual drive of the last few miles on Google streetview and didn't see anything to be concerned about but, having been caught out before, I wanted to ask here - is my planned route okay?
Thanks
Andrew
Comments
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You've got it wrong about not coming from the south. The route you're taking is the right one, A590 to the Greenodd roundabout and follow the Coniston signs from there, but even that road has a few narrow places and the stone walls are very unforgiving, so take care. Don't try towing in from the north, it may be ok for M/Hs but isn't suitable for towing.
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I agree with wedgy about the site and even for motorhomers, getting in and out of the site/Coniston with the risk of scraping the van on the walls takes time and concentration.
That said if you haven't been to Coniston, then it is worth visiting. Just put up with the grotto-like site.
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Park Coppice is a big site with 3 toilet blocks and is in the wooded hillside that is all part of the area that is under the control of the National Trust on the banks of Coniston Water ,so i would think that to Hide all the white boxes ,the site is never going to be "open" but as most people go for the area ,i cannot see what the problem is
,and the route from the south is the one for caravans 
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The recommended route from the south via greendod isn't the easiest but is ok if you take care and don't meet anything large at certain parts. As for the site itself it is mostly within trees but the location makes it worthwhile. It's a good walk from the bottom end of the site into Coniston and a visit to the Blue Bird cafe is highly recommended. Take your time, keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.
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Please don't be put-off by previous comments about the site. It's in a beautiful setting with idyllic walks from the site. Many pitches are in the wooded areas but there are others that are open. Regarding the best route; The M6 junction 36, then A590 etc is the easiest one when towing. I've been towing a caravan or driving a motorhome in this area for 50 years and I've never hit a stone wall yet. You'll find other drivers on the narrow road courteous and 99% of the time sensible, after all they too will not want to hit you or the walls.
Enjoy
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No problems with the walls, I have been towing since 1971 on all sorts of roads, but other drivers can be a problem.
We had the misfortune to meet a medium sized MH on a bend, who obviously was not used to these type of roads. We stopped to allow him to pass, not only was he afraid of the side of the road , he seemed to have no idea of the width of his MH. He did not think to fold in his very large mirrors, but instead scraped them all along the side of our caravan, leaving the rubber behind.
We managed to remove the rubber residue from the side of the van, but the windows are permanently damaged.
He must have known he was scraping them along our van, but presumably did not care. We only discovered the damage when we got to the site?
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I am very surprised at some of the comments on this thread. No doubt the access from south has one or two tight spots but nothing insurmountable. But some of the comments about the site are completely at odds with my view. I have stayed on this site countless times and I think it is one of the best on the network. You are in fantastic Lake District countryside, with a ten minute walk to a beautiful lake. Like the site in Borrowdale you are in camped in a lovely woodland home to Red Squirrels and countless birds. What is there not to like? Additionally the facilities are first class and you have some good pubs for ale and food quite close.
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Just follow the bus route from Ambleside no problem, and take a headtorch it is dark, and when it rains it drips for hours and hours.
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I thought I was on the wrong road to the site because it was so narrow, and very narrow in places, but on checking after arrival, it was the recommended route. I was a fairly new driver of an 8m motorhome and the closeness to some of the walls was a concern for me, but I managed it without mishap. Busses in the area are full of gouges from the walls so that gives you some idea of the difficulties that they encounter. We left there heading north to Scotland on the most direct route and it seemed better to me although it was not a recommended route. Personally I too found the site very dark due to the trees but the proximity to the lake is excellent and Coniston was very nice. Getting to see Beatrix Potter's house etc. was a big bonus. Location is more important for us. Regards, Roy
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We were there a couple of years ago and the recommended route from the south is certainly the one to take. A bit tight in a couple of places but no problem, just take things easily.
We pitched right down at the bottom of the site - there's a path that leads directly down to the lakeside and another which goes through the campsite at Coniston Hall, past the school to the village. It's a lovely part of the world and although some folk complain about the site being dark we didn't feel that and after all you don't go to this part of the world to sit around on site for long do you? While you're in the village do look out for the grave of one of my personal heroes - Donald Campbell - in the cemetery behind the row of shops and the dairy, not in the churchyard. Also worth visiting the Black Bull and the Sun if you're interested in mementoes of his time in the village, and obviously the Bluebird museum down by the lake.
Enjoy!
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