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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.
Lakeside Pier
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!
Food & Drink in Ambleside
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.
Culture & Heritage
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.
Surrounding Areas
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.
Did you know?
The iconic Bridge House is a tiny house over Stock Beck in the centre of the town and one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District.- Built around AD 120, the original stone fort of Galava at Waterhead stood on a raised platform to avoid flooding from the rivers Rothay & Brathay.
- ‘The Struggle’ aptly describes the steep ascent out of Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn, one of the highest hostelries in the UK.
- Although unrecognised in his lifetime, Schwitters is now recognised as a master of collages and abstract assemblages.
- William Green was a fine draughtsman and engraver who lived in Ambleside from 1800 to 1823. He produced renowned accurate representations of Lakeland landscapes and buildings.
- Herbert Bell’s photographic studies of local landscapes, architecture and working life in the Lake District are an invaluable record of social history.
Highlights
Langdale is the closest valley to Ambleside which leads you right into the heart of the Lake…
There is no better way to refuel after a long day exploring than with a hearty, home-cooked meal.…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer…
Come and join us for this Christmas Classic and enjoy a glass of delicious mulled wine with every…
Parking spaces: General: 29, Disabled spaces: 3, Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the spaces with…
Electric bike charging point, located at Elterwater Hostel, Ambleside. Free charge if staying…
Sunday 31st December 2023 at 4.00pm Kirill Petrenko conductor Vida Miknevičiūtė soprano Jonas…
From jazz beginnings to alt-folk and electronica, Stuart McCallum is one of the most vital and…
Cutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
The Lakelands offer a selection of quality self-catering holiday apartments, situated in a unique…
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from…
A touch of luxury in a secluded part of The Lakes, complete with a cedar wood hot tub and 10 acres…
Following secret ravines by scrambling up waterfalls, boulder hopping along the streambed and…
Troutbeck and Ambleside are linked by an old bridleway that traverses the southern flanks of…
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw…
The Ambleside Tourist Information Centre sits within “The Crux of Ambleside” premises, which are…
The Waterhead Inn is located an easy stroll from Ambleside centre, just a stones throw from…
A very, very fine piano player indeed" ~ Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2 Described by Jazz Journal…
CBeebies Panto is coming back in cinemas for yet another Christmassy adventure, this time with…
The triangle of fells sandwiched between Ambleside and Troutbeck terminates at the diminutive…
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the…
A staycation at Brathay gives you everything you need for a well-deserved break that will get you…
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and…
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Number of results: 103
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
The Waterhead Inn, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0ERTelephone
01539 432566Ambleside
There is no better way to refuel after a long day exploring than with a hearty, home-cooked meal. The Waterhead Inn offers just that! With delicious Cumbrian classics as well as exciting culinary twists served all day every day, there is something…
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.
Tourism For All
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
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.
Address
Zeffirellis, 2 Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
Come and join us for this Christmas Classic and enjoy a glass of delicious mulled wine with every ticket!
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never…
Address
Fellinis Restaurant, Church St, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
Sunday 31st December 2023 at 4.00pm
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Vida Miknevičiūtė soprano
Jonas Kaufmann tenor
Georg Zeppenfeld bassSiegmund in Richard Wagner's Walküre is a signature role for Jonas Kaufmann. The world-renowned tenor is passionate,…
Address
Zeffirellis, 2 Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
From jazz beginnings to alt-folk and electronica, Stuart McCallum is one of the most vital and creative musicians of his generation. An in-demand guitarist, composer, producer and educator.
Stuart's current projects include:
• The Breath - signed…
Address
Lower Gale, The Pencil Factory, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BDTelephone
015394 33777Ambleside
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…
Tourism For All
Address
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HYTelephone
015394 32277Ambleside
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from everyday life. An array of scenic walks, quaint villages and cosy pubs and restaurants all within walking distance. There is a Stagecoach bus stop…
Tourism For All
Address
Loughrigg Cottage, Clappersgate, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9NAAmbleside
A touch of luxury in a secluded part of The Lakes, complete with a cedar wood hot tub and 10 acres of private land to explore. Perfect for getting together with family and friends.
Tourism For All
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
Following secret ravines by scrambling up waterfalls, boulder hopping along the streambed and taking every opportunity to jump into crystal clear plunge pools. This is next level fun and the bonus is this can be enjoyed just as much when it’s…
Address
Armitt Library & Museum Centre, Rydal Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BLTelephone
01539431212Ambleside
Join in the festivities and come watch a Christmas Magic Lantern show at the Armitt Museum. A wealth of winter wonders shown through the wonderful world of the Victorian magic lanterns hand-painted, mechanical and photographic lantern slides.
About…
Address
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HYTelephone
015394 32277Ambleside
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…
Tourism For All
Address
The Waterhead Inn, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0ERTelephone
01539 432566Ambleside
The Waterhead Inn is located an easy stroll from Ambleside centre, just a stones throw from Windermere. The Waterhead Inn is the perfect place to return to after a long day’s walking or exploring, whether you rest your head in one of our cosy double…
Tourism For All
Address
Zeffirellis, 2 Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
A very, very fine piano player indeed" ~ Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2
Described by Jazz Journal magazine as the "piano man's piano man…" and "a national treasure" , Dale Storr's musical journey has now brought him recognition as one of the UK's leading…
Address
Zeffirellis, 2 Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
01539433845Ambleside
CBeebies Panto is coming back in cinemas for yet another Christmassy adventure, this time with Robin Hood at the helm!
As always, the show will feature many of CBeebies' most popular actors and presenters. Full of catchy songs, dancing, and…
Ambleside
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the connoisseur for 121 years.
Address
Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HPTelephone
015394 33041Ambleside
A staycation at Brathay gives you everything you need for a well-deserved break that will get you away from it all and boost your wellbeing. Whatever the weather, or time of year, and however chilled or super-adventurous you want to be, we have…
Tourism For All
Address
Elterwater National Trust Car Park, Elterwater, Langdale, Cumbria, LA22 9JUTelephone
015395 96317Langdale
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and parking is plentiful. If you are in the National Trust the parking is free, otherwise expect to pay. There are toilet blocks in the car park and two…
Tourism For All
Address
Ambleside Townhouse, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DBTelephone
015394 33240Ambleside
Ambleside Townhouse is a fifteen ensuite bedroomed, dog friendly luxury bed and breakfast with onsite parking located in the heart of Ambleside.
Tourism For All
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.
Tourism For All
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