History
Named after Donald Campbells boat, Bluebird. 'The Bluebird Café by the lake' is situated on the shore of Coniston Water in the Cumbrian Lake District. Proprietors Phil and Judith Dixon have run the café business since 1982.
The café building was built by the Furness Railway Company when the rail network was brought to Coniston in 1860. It's purpose was as accommodation for the crew of the original S.Y Gondola which plied the lake in those Victorian days.
The café forms part of the Lake District National Park Authority's, Coniston Boating Centre, who run their own boat hire and launching from the site. Other enterprises operating from the site include the Coniston Launch and the National Trust's S. Y. Gondola, which both have frequent daily sailings on the lake.
The Bluebird Café has outstanding views from all the seating especially from the patio, which looks down the lake and over to the east side of Coniston Water, where Brantwood Estate and Grizedale Forest are situated.