Journalist Christopher Sharp recently visited Coniston, a village in Cumbria's Lake District, where Princess Kate Middleton spent childhood holidays. The area also holds historic significance due to Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 hydroplane.
A Royal Connection
Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales and future Queen, once enjoyed family getaways in this picturesque village. Before her royal life, she was a civilian like many others, exploring the UK's beauty spots.
Coniston's Charm
Sharp was initially there to see the Bluebird K7, but found Coniston itself captivating. With a population under 1,000, the village boasts an impressive array of cafes and restaurants—around four to five along the main street, plus the Bluebird Cafe by the lake. At a time when many pubs are closing, Coniston's hospitality thrives, thanks to its Lake District location attracting hikers, cyclists, and tourists. Nearby Windermere also funnels visitors, and the Old Man of Coniston mountain offers year-round hiking.
Bluebird's Legacy
Coniston Water may be smaller than Windermere, but it holds a unique history. Donald Campbell set speed records in the 1950s and tragically died in a crash in 1967. With Bluebird now restored and housed in the John Ruskin Museum, which built a new wing for the boat, and the semi-regular Coniston Speed Week, the village draws motor racing enthusiasts.
Family Memories
Kate's brother, James Middleton, recalled their childhood holidays in the area, saying: 'It stems from my childhood, reading Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, and as I got older, Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons. As my family and I spent time on Coniston Water and Lake Windermere, it was almost like we were living the stories in real life.' He added that their family has a generations-long connection to the Lake District, with holidays spent hiking and playing in the lakes.
Sharp admitted being astounded by the region's beauty, noting that as he left the M6 and saw the sun on the hills, he understood why the Middleton family kept returning.
