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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
The Windermere One Way Swim starts at beautiful and sheltered Fell Foot Park at the southern end of…
The Lake House is located in Waterhead Bay, just steps away from England's largest lake,…
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the…
Follow the lane behind Barclays Bank in Ambleside Village to reach the falls. About 1 mile…
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a…
Standing on the slipway at Waterhead Bay on Lake Windermere the Regent Hotel offers you a warm…
An enjoyable mountain bike ride on gravel and stony tracks with views across the Langdale Pikes and…
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and…
An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with…
We sit in the centre of Ambleside. Our family owned and run B&B provides a comfy base in this…
Walk, scramble or climb with The Lakes Mountaineer. Families: Give the family an adventure you are…
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central…
If you are looking to take your hill and mountain walking to the next level, this could be just…
Parking spaces: General: 29, Disabled spaces: 3, Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the spaces with…
The Temperance Inn is located in the heart of the Lake District’s walking capital, Ambleside, known…
The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…
The impressive Brathay Hall is set in 360 acres of mature woodland and rolling pasture at the head…
Offering superb Lake Views, large open green space, picnic tables and parking nearby, Borans Park…
Public toilets adjacent to car park.
Public toilets located adjacent to the car park.
Work out in our state of the art Techno Gym which includes treadmills, power plate, cross trainer,…
Open 7 days a week including bank holidays from 8am to 8pm. Parking spaces: General: 48, Disabled…
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping…
Troutbeck and Ambleside are linked by an old bridleway that traverses the southern flanks of…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 97
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HPTelephone
+447738077710Ambleside
The Windermere One Way Swim starts at beautiful and sheltered Fell Foot Park at the southern end of Windermere. Swimmers start individually from 06:45. From here, the epic 11-mile swim takes you to the finish at the northern tip of the lake at…
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…
Ambleside
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the connoisseur for 121 years.
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
Standing on the slipway at Waterhead Bay on Lake Windermere the Regent Hotel offers you a warm welcome.
Cumbria
An enjoyable mountain bike ride on gravel and stony tracks with views across the Langdale Pikes and down into the depths of Hodge Close.
Distance: 3.85 miles (6.2km).
Nearest Town: Ambleside.
Start Location: Tilberthwaite Car Park…
Address
Elterwater, Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9HPTelephone
015394 37210Ambleside
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.
Address
Fellinis, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BTTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwan (The Alienist), and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).
She's a bright, headstrong daughter of…
Ambleside
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.
Walk, scramble or climb with The Lakes Mountaineer.
Families: Give the family an adventure you are sure to remember. Choose from three different days designed for kids of different ages: rock climbing; abseiling; scrambling; navigation (disguised…
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
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
33 Lake Road, 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
Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HPTelephone
015394 33041Ambleside
The impressive Brathay Hall is set in 360 acres of mature woodland and rolling pasture at the head of Windermere, with our stunning location the perfect base for your walking or cycling adventure, or simply as a peaceful starting point for families…
Address
Lake Road, 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
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping into crystal clear pools of deep water, sliding into pools, wild swimming, and scrambling - all in the most beautiful of settings.
Address
Fellinis, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BTTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
When Rosina falls in love with a mysterious young suitor who calls himself Lindoro, she must use all her cunning – and a little help from her local barber – to outwit her calculating guardian Dr Bartolo.
Expect heart-melting serenades, ridiculous…Address
Lake Road, Waterhead, 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…
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
Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HPTelephone
015394 33041Ambleside
The impressive Brathay Hall is set in 360 acres of mature woodland and rolling pasture at the head of Windermere, with our stunning location the perfect base for your walking or cycling adventure, or simply as a peaceful starting point for families…
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