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At the northern end of Windermere is the popular market town of Ambleside, perfectly located in the heart of the national park. Surrounded by majestic Lakeland fells, Ambleside’s roots are in the medieval woollen trade, but the town you see today is primarily Victorian, built of traditional grey slate.
With easy access to Grasmere, Keswick, Windermere and an unrivalled range of water sports, walks, climbs, cycling and much more, Ambleside is very popular with both leisure visitors wanting a relaxing break and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a challenge. There are also some fabulous restaurants, cafés and pubs to satisfy the discerning palette and numerous award-winning ales to quench your thirst. Ambleside’s specialist shops offer a welcome variation on high street chains. There is no shortage of outdoor clothing specialists waiting to kit you out in the latest gear for any activity, from walking to windsurfing.
Described by purists as ‘the true Lake District’, Ambleside is a walkers’ paradise. Plenty of routes begin from near the Waterhead Pier, so why not grab a copy of Windermere Lake Cruises’ handy walkers leaflet – or even better, buy a copy of ‘Walks Around Windermere’ from the attraction’s team – a labour of love by local man, the late Jim Fleming.
Waterhead Pier is less than a mile from Ambleside’s town centre, being just a pleasant stroll or electric shuttle bus ride away.
The Armitt Museum art gallery and reference library gives you the chance to explore the history of life and arts of the Lakes. In addition, there’s also an exhibition about the life of Kurt Schwitters and of course, lots to learn about Beatrix Potter. There’s also information on the nearby remains of a Roman site, which is free to explore.
Zeffirellis is Ambleside’s famous independent cinema, offering viewings of films made by new and emerging talents, while Fellinis shows art-house and independent films, as well as holding performances. There’s also The Old Courthouse Gallery which showcases the best arts and crafts on offer in the Lakes.
For some quality outdoor time, check out Rydal Mount and Gardens. The home of William Wordsworth for nearly 40 years, this house inspired many of his poems – and tweaks to existing works including his world-famous 'Daffodils'.
After exploring Ambleside, make use of the Langdale Rambler bus service between March 25 and November 3 to visit other surrounding towns and villages before heading back to Ambleside.
Before getting back on a Steamer, you can also have a go in a self-drive power boat or rowing boat. Just ask the team on the lake shore!
Chic British dining in the local restaurants using locally sourced produce, to quirky off the beaten track cafes,
are just some of the delicious treats Ambleside has in store for you.
Wild food has become very ’now’ and no more so than in Ambleside,
where there’s ingredients from shore sourced seaweed to forest-picked mushrooms.
Impeccable Cumbrian provenance is readily available here, from Herdwick lamb to speciality sausage and Windermere Char (local fish). But it’s not all Cumberland sausage here, there’s also a sophisticated range of vegetarian restaurants and cafes in Ambleside.
There’s everything here from the finest of dining in the many top-quality hotels and restaurants, to quirky bistros in cellars, to going continental with Italian restaurants, or even contemporary Thai.
Bustling cafes with fabulous menus bring a dazzle to the centre of town, offering light lunches and tapas, or morning coffee with freshly baked pastries and cakes. No visit would be complete, without a visit to one of the town’s traditional pubs, or a little way out of town to Lakeland’s highest pub, offering soaring views.
Try one of the many Craft beers for that post-hike lift, or while away an evening sampling locally casked ales or a glass of wine, listening to a gig or one of the many other musical entertainments going on in the town.
Ambleside’s origins date from Romans, who built a stone fort at Waterhead called Galava around AD 120 (now in Borrans Field) - one of a number built to secure trade and service routes through the south lakes.
Galava was linked to the Roman port at Ravenglass (via Hardknott Pass), to Brocavum (Brougham) near Penrith along ‘High Street' (an elevated Roman road between Ullswater and Haweswater), and southwards to Watercrook, near Kendal.
Once the Romans left around AD 400, the Vikings moved in, founding a settlement on high ground above the town centre. It is thought that Ambleside may have been named after a Norseman called Amal (i.e. Amal's saeter - or summer pasture).
Ambleside was granted a market charter in 1650, and Market Place became the commercial centre for agriculture and the wool trade.
The old packhorse trail (now a bridleway) between Ambleside and Grasmere was the main route between the two towns before the new turnpike road was completed in 1770 (now the A591). Smithy Brow at the end of the trail was where packponies were re-shod after their journey.
With the coming of the turnpikes, the packhorse trains were superseded by horse-drawn stagecoaches, which regularly travelled between Keswick and Kendal (via Grasmere, Ambleside and Windermere).
The Salutation Hotel, a former hostelry dating from 1656, developed into a coaching inn where horses could be stabled overnight. The Royal Oak and the White Lion were also coaching inns.
Wray - Wray is home to Wray Castle. What you will see is a fascinating building with hints of its 'grand' past and plenty of signs of its varied history. Make sure you join one of the National Trust's free tours to get its full life story.
Waterhead - Passing through Waterhead approaching Ambleside from the South on the A591 you can find a variety of water-front shops, attractions, cafes & hotels. As well as public benches to sit and enjoy the sweeping views across Windermere and the opposite fells.
Fun facts and tantalising trivia about the town of Ambleside. Click for more details.
The Armitt museum's fungi walks are back again for another year! Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix…
André Rieu is ready to blow you away with his brand new cinema concert 'Power of Love'. From his…
Follow the lane behind Barclays Bank in Ambleside Village to reach the falls. About 1 mile…
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian…
Stylish and sophisticated the Waterhead combines professional support and service with contemporary…
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of…
Jim and Monique look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful, elegant Victorian Guest House…
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw…
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and…
Libby Robinson, Chairperson of the Fell Pony Heritage Trust, takes us through a day in the life of…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Electric bike charging point, located at Elterwater Hostel, Ambleside. Free charge if staying…
Langdale is the closest valley to Ambleside which leads you right into the heart of the Lake…
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer…
Rothay Park is a popular park situated in the centre of Ambleside, it is surrounded by a dramatic…
Great Langdale, and its sister valley Little Langdale,sit side by side amongst the high dramatic…
Get immersed in nature with us on a wild swim down the river, past the ancient Galava ruins and…
The Waterhead area is just a short walk from the centre of town. This is the start of Windermere –…
The Ambleside Tourist Information Centre sits within “The Crux of Ambleside” premises, which are…
The triangle of fells sandwiched between Ambleside and Troutbeck terminates at the diminutive…
The more popular mountains can become busy during holiday periods, so why not avoid the crowds by…
The Helvellyn Double Dipper is our special take on a classic Lake District mountain walk amongst…
Multi payment option car park both pre and post parking. Payment can be made online. 60 spaces.
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Church St, Ambleside
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain's welfare state and created the NHS. This epic new Welsh fantasia is written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris…
Ambleside
The Armitt museum's fungi walks are back again for another year! Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter and join us on our hunt for fungi. Colin and Helen, will lead a guided walk through Ambleside on a fungi hunt inspired by Beatrix Potter's…
Church St, Ambleside
André Rieu is ready to blow you away with his brand new cinema concert 'Power of Love'. From his picturesque hometown of Maastricht The King of the Waltz presents a must-see big screen spectacular. Accompanied by his world famous Johann Strauss…
Ambleside
Follow the lane behind Barclays Bank in Ambleside Village to reach the falls. About 1 mile roundtrip. Multiple fall of 90ft in woodland with clear paths and bridges.
Ambleside
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian palette with a distinct Mediterranean twist.
Our menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the availability of local ingredients. Our wine list…
Ambleside
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of free parking in the lovely village of Ambleside where we have two award winning vegetarian restaurants within a short walking distance.
Ambleside
Jim and Monique look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful, elegant Victorian Guest House situated in the centre of the picturesque village of Ambleside. Set in the heart of the Lake District National Park, World Heritage site.
Ambleside
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw from Ambleside, Windermere and Hawkshead. They’re perfectly positioned for exploring some of Cumbria’s best loved towns and villages as well as…
Elterwater, Ambleside
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and the fells of the Langdale Valley. Real ales, traditional food and real log fires.
Ambleside
Libby Robinson, Chairperson of the Fell Pony Heritage Trust, takes us through a day in the life of a pony on the Cumbrian fells.
Ambleside
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the best arts and crafts in the Lakes and Britain today, including wall art, glass, wood and ceramics.
Ambleside
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer abseiling throughout the Lake District, all venues are stunningly beautiful and offer different abseil lengths so we can pick a venue to suit you best.
Ambleside
Get immersed in nature with us on a wild swim down the river, past the ancient Galava ruins and fascinating wetlands opening up into wonderful lake views. This is one of our favourite Lake District swimming spots, providing you with the fascinating…
Ambleside
The more popular mountains can become busy during holiday periods, so why not avoid the crowds by making an early (or late) start and watch the sunrise from a mountain summit?
Ambleside
The Helvellyn Double Dipper is our special take on a classic Lake District mountain walk amongst the Helvellyn Massif and is guaranteed to leave you with a day to remember.
A great adventure swimming day out. Swimming in the awe-inspiring Red Tarn…
Ambleside
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland holiday! These days aim to blend rock climbing, rock scrambling and abseiling to give a varied and always fun experience in beautiful locations.
Church St, Ambleside
Having originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Riverdance has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon. This 25th Anniversary production is a powerful and stirring reinvention of the show, celebrated the world…
Ambleside
Central Lake District location ideal for sight-seeing and walking. Overlooking the centre of the market town of Ambleside, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel has welcomed visitors since the 1600s.
Ambleside
The Lakelands offer a selection of quality self-catering holiday apartments, situated in a unique position, overlooking the popular town of Ambleside. The Lakelands offer superb, unspoilt views of the town, Lakeland countryside, and the fells beyond…
We offer a range of private group experiences near Ambleside, including ghyll scrambling, canyoning, canoeing and kayaking, rock climbing and more. We also provide outdoor team building experiences, so get in touch today to start building your…
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