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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.
Waterhead 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 a rotation of fascinating exhibitions 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.
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).
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?
BRIDGE HOUSE
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. Originally built as an apple store by the Braithwaites of Ambleside Hall in 1723, the building is now owned by the National Trust and is open daily from Easter to October.
GALAVA ROMAN FORT
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 Roman garrison numbered about 500 men and supported a sizeable civilian settlement outside the fort.
‘THE STRUGGLE’
‘The Struggle’ aptly describes the steep ascent out of Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn, one of the highest hostelries in the UK. Teams of packponies and horse-drawn carriages regularly laboured up this gruelling hill!
KURT SCHWITTERS (1887–1948)
Kurt Schwitters a refugee from Hitler’s Germany, arrived in Ambleside in 1945. Although unrecognised in his lifetime, Schwitters is now recognised as a master of collages and abstract assemblages of recycled materials, referring to his work as Merz; a term that has become synonymous with his style of work.
WILLIAM GREEN (1760–1823)
William Green was a fine draughtsman and engraver who lived in Ambleside from 1800 to 1823. His accurate representations of Lakeland landscapes and buildings were much in demand at the time. He was a close friend of William Wordsworth, who wrote the epitaph on his grave in St Oswald’s Church, Grasmere.
HERBERT BELL (1856–1946)
Herbert Bell’s photographic studies of local landscapes, architecture and working life in the Lake District are an invaluable record of social history. Bell grew up in Ambleside (his father was the local chemist) and started experimenting with photography in his twenties. His skills with a camera were much in demand during his lifetime.
Highlights
This ride is one for toughies on mountain bikes.
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of…
Tucked away on the shores of Windermere, Brathay Hall is a stunning multi-functional venue for your…
Great Langdale, and its sister valley Little Langdale,sit side by side amongst the high dramatic…
The more popular mountains can become busy during holiday periods, so why not avoid the crowds by…
You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets…
Ambleside's latest destinations for craft beer & real ale enthusiasts. Offering brewery-fresh craft…
To complement our newest exhibition, An A-Z of Beatrix Potter, we are excited to run our new…
On the Brathay river behind Skelwith Bridge Hotel. 16ft drop
Brathay Hall is available to be hired for exclusive use, inclusive of our en-suite rooms, group…
Loughrigg Fell might not be the biggest peak in the Lake District but standing by the summit trig…
Stock Ghyll Force is a 70-foot waterfall nestled in woodlands right in the heart of Ambleside -…
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian…
Walking the Coffin Road from Ambleside to Grasmere then taking advantage of the bus for the return…
The Lakelands offer a selection of quality self-catering holiday apartments, situated in a unique…
This talk is centred on the Tales based around Sawrey and Hill Top. You may have read some of these…
Rowan Restaurant at Rothay Manor Hotel offers refined seasonal British dining in elegant…
Langdale is the closest valley to Ambleside which leads you right into the heart of the Lake…
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland…
Secretly tucked away behind Ambleside is the high valley of Scandale.
Work out in our state of the art Techno Gym which includes treadmills, power plate, cross trainer,…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have…
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 98
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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
Zeffirellis hosts an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a daytime café, a jazz bar on the second floor of the restaurant, and a cinema.
Zeffirellis restaurant offers an Italian themed pizza and pasta menu with daily specials freshly prepared by…Address
The Temperance Inn, 33 Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BHTelephone
015394 33192Ambleside
The Temperance Inn is located in the heart of the Lake District’s walking capital, Ambleside, known for it’s bustling atmosphere, unbeatable mountain views and winding streets.
Address
Vicarage Road, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 9DHTelephone
015394 34512AMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
Address
The Armitt Museum, Ambleside, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BLTelephone
01539431212Ambleside
A Geography of Absence: Walking the small town: An illustrated talk with Julian Hyde
Over many years Julian Hyde has been building an accidental archive of material gathered from the side streets of Windermere.
In this talk he will share aspects of…Address
Old Courthouse Gallery, Market Pl, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BUTelephone
015394 32022Ambleside
The Old Courthouse Gallery is one of Cumbria’s premier destinations for buying contemporary art and craft. We represent around 120 artists and makers, with hundreds of artworks for sale across three floors. We are renowned for the consistently high…
Tourism For All
Cumbria-wide
The English Lake District is one of Britain’s most beautiful corners: a magical mix of rocky mountains, tumbling waterfalls, lush green valleys, shimmering lakes, woodland, isolated hillside farmsteads, sturdy stone-built villages and seemingly…
Address
Herdy Ambleside, 3 Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0ADTelephone
01539 739202Ambleside
Welcome to Herdy Ambleside – our newest, largest, and flagship store in the heart of the Lake District. Inspired by the adorable Herdwick sheep that roam our surrounding fells, Herdy is a cheerful Lake District character brand created to celebrate…
Tourism For All
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
Langdale Hotel & Spa, The Langdale Estate, Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JDTelephone
01539438014Great Langdale, Ambleside
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away from it all.
Address
Cumbria, Ambleside, Clappersgate, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA220HPTelephone
015394 33041Clappersgate, Ambleside
Celebrate 80 years of Brathay with a fun-filled family event at Brathay Hall on Saturday 26 September 2026.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Windermere, this special anniversary celebration promises an afternoon and evening packed with…
Address
Ambleside Tap Yard, Rydal Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ANTelephone
01539 423234Ambleside
Ambleside's latest destinations for craft beer & real ale enthusiasts. Offering brewery-fresh craft beers from 6 large copper tanks featured above the bar, plus local cask ales. The full bar offering is complemented by a menu of quality wood fired…
Address
Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BXTelephone
015394 32244Ambleside
Work out in our state of the art Techno Gym which includes treadmills, power plate, cross trainer, resistance machine, ipod docking stations and the outstanding Kinesis machine.
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.
Address
The Wateredge Inn, Borrans Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EPTelephone
0191 580 3610Ambleside
There’s something truly special about being by the water and The Wateredge Inn in Ambleside captures that magic perfectly. Perched right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, it’s the kind of place where you can sit back on the waterfront…
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
If you are looking to take your hill and mountain walking to the next level, this could be just what you’re looking for! You’ll be scaling rocks to reach the summit, learning new skills along the way and enjoying those hard earned views at the top.
Address
The Armitt Museum, Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BLTelephone
01539431212Ambleside
You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets and outdoor shops, but did you know that behind the main streets, you can find a fascinating history of the older town? Covering the story of…
Address
Rothay Garth B&B, Rothay Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EETelephone
015394 32217Ambleside
A warm welcome awaits you at Rothay Garth B&B. Perfectly situated in the heart of Ambleside, guests can enjoy wonderful mountain views, easy access to Lake Windermere, and a variety of charming shops, bars and restaurants just a stone’s throw away.
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
Road biking is quite a thing here in the Lake District, but the undulating landscape can be off-putting for some. We know the roads and terrain here very well and can formulate routes to suit your aspirations.
Address
Force Cafe, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QYAmbleside
Located just a short distance away from the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force, Force café and terrace is a destination for visitors to Ambleside. This charming café has opened its doors to welcome walkers, their families and their dogs.
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