CONISTON Old Man offers great views and the chance for exercise in the great outdoors and was just as popular to Victorians as it is today.

The Mannex Directory of Furness and Cartmel for 1882 notes: “One of the chief attractions of Coniston is the Old Man, the Alt Maen or High Stone of our British forefathers.

“This peak attains an elevation of 2,649 feet above the sea's level, and several other eminences in the same group reach a height little inferior to the Old Man.

“To climb to the summit of this mountain and view the beautiful panorama which everywhere meets the eye, is the feat of all tourists to Coniston who are possessed of youth and agility sufficient for such an arduous undertaking.

“Those who deem the exertion of making the ascent on foot too great, may reach the top on the mountain ponies kept for the purpose at Water Head Hotel.

“On its apex are three heaps of stones known as the Old Man, his wife, and son, probably the remains of some Druidical or Saboean superstition.

“Geologically, the mountain belongs to the green slate system, beneath which lies the band of dark greenish blue limestone before mentioned.

“The mountain is rich in metalliferous ore, there being several veins of copper intersecting its eastern side.

“The ore is found in the form of pyrites, and is owned by the Coniston Mining Company.

“The entrance to the mine is in a very secluded part of the Old Man, and its workings extend vertically to a depth of 252 fathoms, but horizontally they penetrate upwards of half-a-mile into the bowels of the mountain.

“The mine produces not only abundance of copper ore, but also a large amount of magnetic iron ore, with traces of lead, blende, and nikel silver.

“Thirteen waterwheels are used in working the mines, and employment is given to about 50 men.

“They are less productive now than formerly. At one time a large number of hands were employed, and about £2,000 expended in wages.”