John Ruskin was one of the great polymaths of the Victorian age, dabbling in everything from philosophy and art criticism to the aesthetics of lace-making. He bought this house near Coniston in 1871 and remained here until his death in 1900. A fierce advocate of the importance of traditional arts and crafts, Ruskin filled Brantwood with furniture, antiques, paintings and objets d’art collected on his travels (look out for his extensive shell collection in the drawing room, alongside his original library and writing desk). He was also a pioneering environmentalist and passionate horticulturalist, and the house is surrounded by gardens laid down according to his own exacting designs.

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