Coniston copper mines

The Coniston copper mines were a copper mining operation in Lancashire, England. It was functional for hundreds of years in Coppermines Valley above Coniston Water. Today there are industrial remains of the industry and the Coniston Coppermines Youth Hostel is based in the old manager's building. Mining for copper in the valley dates back to the 16th century and the area continued to be mined until the 1950s. In 1982 the buildings in the valley were purchased by The Coppermines Lakes Cottages founder Philip Johnston who set about a comprehensive scheme of rebuilding, restoration and conservation. The buildings were sympathetically restored from the original Victorian sawmill. In 1974, the area of Coniston and the Furness Fells was transferred for administrative purposes to the area of Cumbria County Council.