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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
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and…
Open 7 days a week including bank holidays from 8am to 8pm. Parking spaces: General: 48, Disabled…
Pay & Display car park with 118 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to car park.
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer…
Cutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers…
Tariff type: Multi Tariff. Public toilets on site.
Come and join us for this Christmas Classic and enjoy a glass of delicious mulled wine with every…
Restaurant located in the former work place of William Wordsworth, serving food inspired by…
Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than just a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch…
Secretly tucked away behind Ambleside is the high valley of Scandale.
Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else…
This ride is one for toughies on mountain bikes.
This independent, hostel is perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Elterwater, at the…
Sunday 31st December 2023 at 4.00pm Kirill Petrenko conductor Vida Miknevičiūtė soprano Jonas…
The triangle of fells sandwiched between Ambleside and Troutbeck terminates at the diminutive…
Elterwater lies in an attractive setting, a few miles west of Ambleside, hidden behind Loughrigg…
Jim and Monique look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful, elegant Victorian Guest House…
Outdoor Mobility - Tramper hire in Langdale. One Tramper is available to hire from the Langdale…
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw…
A charming Victorian house, carefully converted and quietly tucked away in it's own wooded grounds…
Pay & Display. (NT members free) with 40 spaces. A great parking spot for a riverside amble or…
Parking spaces: General: 29, Disabled spaces: 3, Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the spaces with…
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of…
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Number of results: 96
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Address
Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BXTelephone
015394 32244Ambleside
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and our menus feature the finest fresh produce from the region.
Tourism For All
Ambleside
Hayes Garden World is the perfect place to relax and revive on any trip to this, the largest garden centre in the Lakes. Open seven days a week, the centre is the perfect place for all your gardening and outdoor needs. Our extensive online shop…
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
The Ambleside Inn, Market Pl, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BUTelephone
015394 93333Ambleside
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers delicious, homecooked dining all day every day. Whether fuelling up for a day’s exploring with a hearty breakfast, stopping by for a smaller plate…
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
Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BUTelephone
015394 32775Ambleside
Restaurant located in the former work place of William Wordsworth, serving food inspired by Cumbria, specialising in Cumbrian sourced produce.
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Address
Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EYTelephone
015394 43360Ambleside
Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than just a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings, group travel.
Address
Fellinis Restaurant, Church St, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else is tucked up in bed. Marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky's score, as Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker fight the Mouse King and visit the Sugar…
Address
Elterwater Hostel, Elterwater, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9HXTelephone
015394 37245Ambleside
This independent, hostel is perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Elterwater, at the heart of the Langdale Valley in the English Lake District.
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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
-Elterwater lies in an attractive setting, a few miles west of Ambleside, hidden behind Loughrigg and Silver How, at the entrance to Great Langdale.
Address
Melrose Guesthouse, Church St, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BTTelephone
015394 32500Ambleside
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.
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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…
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Address
The Old Vicarage Ambleside, Vicarage Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DHTelephone
015394 33364Ambleside
A charming Victorian house, carefully converted and quietly tucked away in it's own wooded grounds in central Ambleside. Onsite car parking, Swimming Pool, Sauna & Hot tub etc. Overlooking Rothay Park and tucked away from traffic noise.
Ambleside
The Four Seasons Terrace Café at Hayes Garden World is the perfect place to relax and revive on any trip to this, the largest garden centre in the Lakes. Open seven days a week, the cafe provides the full range of refreshment choices throughout the…
Address
Ambleside Manor - Vegetarian Hotel, Rothay Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EJTelephone
015394 32062Ambleside
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.
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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…
Address
Millans Park, Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
Zeffirellis is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of cinema and the arts. We offer the complete evening out, you can wine and dine and see a film.
Address
Thorneyfield Guest House, Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DJTelephone
015394 32464Ambleside
We sit in the centre of Ambleside. Our family owned and run B&B provides a comfy base in this beautiful World Heritage site. We received a silver award from Green Tourism in 2018 for sustainability, promoting Fairtrade and local products.
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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.
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