to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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
Blacks is a leading outdoor high street retailer for all your adventurous needs. From camping, to…
Discover the beauty of the Lake District from the peace and tranquillity of Skelwith Fold's…
Follow the lane behind Barclays Bank in Ambleside Village to reach the falls. About 1 mile…
Recently awarded 'Best B&B in Cumbria 2019' Haven Cottage is a high quality Guest House with…
Tariff type: Multi Tariff. Public toilets on site.
The Ambleside Tourist Information Centre sits within “The Crux of Ambleside” premises, which are…
Explore how you sense things differently on a thrilling dusk to dark skies walk. Step away from…
Tariff type: Multi Tariff. Public toilets on site.
The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…
Restaurant located in the former work place of William Wordsworth, serving food inspired by…
Standing on the slipway at Waterhead Bay on Lake Windermere the Regent Hotel offers you a warm…
Central Lake District location ideal for sight-seeing and walking. Overlooking the centre of the…
Recently refurbished, 5 rooms with new en suites. Full English breakfast included. Flexible with…
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st-century retelling of Anton…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
A walk through the heart of the Lake District with various route options from moderate to…
Want something fun and a little bit different this holiday? Try something new and exciting in the…
OUTLIER is a new, young Jazz Fusion and Soul trio from the North West. Fed up of being locked away…
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central…
Between Ambleside and Coniston is an intricate network of low fells and twisting dales.
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a…
The Waterhead area is just a short walk from the centre of town. This is the start of Windermere –…
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked…
The sweetest of all Matthew Bourne's treats comes to cinemas for the first time. Celebrating its…
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 98
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
11 Market Cross, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BTTelephone
01539 760197Ambleside
Blacks is a leading outdoor high street retailer for all your adventurous needs. From camping, to cycling, to climbing, hiking and more, you can get equipped at Blacks for wherever your adventures take you.
Address
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HYTelephone
015394 32277Ambleside
Discover the beauty of the Lake District from the peace and tranquillity of Skelwith Fold's award-winning 130-acre family park, 1.5 miles from the market town of Ambleside, it is an ideal base for walking or exploring the Lakes.
Address
Stockghyll Brow, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BXAmbleside
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
Recently awarded 'Best B&B in Cumbria 2019' Haven Cottage is a high quality Guest House with beautifully furnished en-suite bedrooms. It has an enviable reputation for high quality breakfasts and superb customer service.
Address
University of Cumbria, Campus Car Park, Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BBTelephone
01539 720788Rydal Road, Ambleside
Explore how you sense things differently on a thrilling dusk to dark skies walk. Step away from artificial light and experience how the mind wanders and the imagination kicks in.
As night descends, the world changes and the way we experience…
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.
Ambleside
Standing on the slipway at Waterhead Bay on Lake Windermere the Regent Hotel offers you a warm welcome.
Address
Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BXTelephone
015394 32244Ambleside
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.
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
015394 32142Ambleside
Recently refurbished, 5 rooms with new en suites. Full English breakfast included. Flexible with regard to arrival times. Cycle store available. Free Wi-fi and free parking nearby.
Address
Fellinis, Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Compston Road, Ambleside
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st-century retelling of Anton Chekhov's tale of love and loneliness.
A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A…
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.
Ambleside
Want something fun and a little bit different this holiday? Try something new and exciting in the adventure playground of the Lake District. Take it at your own pace and make your time with us as action packed or relaxing as you want.
Address
Zeffirellis, Millans Park, Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Compston Road, Ambleside
OUTLIER is a new, young Jazz Fusion and Soul trio from the North West. Fed up of being locked away for the most part of 2020, OUTLIER was formed in the latter stages of 2021 out of a pure love for live performance and good quality Jazz, Blues and…
Address
Peggy Hill, North Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DTTelephone
015394 34031Ambleside
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central location with immediate access to fells, shops, restaurants, pubs and cinema.
Address
33 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BHTelephone
015394 33192Ambleside
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked freshly for you on ordering.
Address
Fellinis, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BTTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
The sweetest of all Matthew Bourne's treats comes to cinemas for the first time. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, this 'witty, wonderful, rip-roaring spectacular' (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph) is a Nutcracker! for all seasons and 'the sweet treat we 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.
Address
Lake Road, Waterhead Bay, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HDTelephone
015394 32360Ambleside
The Lake House is located in Waterhead Bay, just steps away from England's largest lake, Windermere, it is also just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Ambleside town, making it the perfect base to eat, drink, sleep and explore the Lake…
Address
Fellinis, Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ADTelephone
015394 33845Compston Road, Ambleside
Exhibition on Screen is thrilled to be bringing back one of its most successful ever films, dedicated to the life and work of Paul Cézanne.
One cannot appreciate 20th century art without understanding the significance and genius of Paul Cézanne.…
Ambleside
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…
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