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Don't Miss
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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'.
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?
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
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian…
The Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
The Langdale Estate is a magical place for your wedding. Set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds…
Outdoor swim safety and lifesaving knowledge lie at the heart of our wild swimming courses and…
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in…
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of…
The Temperance Inn is located in the heart of the Lake District’s walking capital, Ambleside, known…
Road biking is quite a thing here in the Lake District, but the undulating landscape can be…
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from…
Multi payment option car park both pre and post parking. Payment can be made online. 60 spaces.
The Old Courthouse Gallery is one of Cumbria’s premier destinations for buying contemporary art and…
Bring your meeting or event to The Langdale Estate and enjoy a stunning Lake District location with…
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer…
A 2-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
The Ease into Easedale Wild Swim sums up outdoor swimming in the Lake District fells: dramatic…
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central…
The medical form for this event will be emailed out before the event to the email address you…
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the…
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a…
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away…
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping…
Cutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian…
The Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
The Langdale Estate is a magical place for your wedding. Set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds…
Outdoor swim safety and lifesaving knowledge lie at the heart of our wild swimming courses and…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
The Langdale Estate is a magical place for your wedding. Set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds…
Outdoor swim safety and lifesaving knowledge lie at the heart of our wild swimming courses and…
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in…
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of…
The Temperance Inn is located in the heart of the Lake District’s walking capital, Ambleside, known…
Road biking is quite a thing here in the Lake District, but the undulating landscape can be…
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from…
Multi payment option car park both pre and post parking. Payment can be made online. 60 spaces.
The Old Courthouse Gallery is one of Cumbria’s premier destinations for buying contemporary art and…
Bring your meeting or event to The Langdale Estate and enjoy a stunning Lake District location with…
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer…
A 2-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
The Ease into Easedale Wild Swim sums up outdoor swimming in the Lake District fells: dramatic…
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central…
The medical form for this event will be emailed out before the event to the email address you…
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the…
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a…
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away…
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping…
Cutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian…
The Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked…
Show More
Prev
- 1Stove Bar & Restaurant at Langdale Hotel and Spa
- 2Weddings at Langdale Hotel and Spa
- 3Outdoor Swim Safety & Lifesaving
- 4Skelwith Fold Caravan Park - Glamping
- 5Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Guest House
- 6The Temperance Inn, Ambleside
- 7Road Cycling with Mountain Journeys
- 8Skelwith Fold Caravan Park
- 9Silverthwaite Car Park
- 10The Old Courthouse Gallery (OCG) - Contemporary Arts and Crafts
- 11Meetings & Events at Langdale Hotel and Spa
- 12Abseiling with Mountain Journeys
- 13TASTER Foraging Workshop near Ambleside
- 14Ease into Easedale
- 15Above Stock Self Catering Apartment
- 16Wainwright: Nordic Walking for the Fells with Nicola Merrett
- 17Rock Climbing with Mountain Journeys
- 18The Flying Fleece
- 19Langdale Hotel and Spa
- 20Canyoning with Mountain Journeys
- 21High Sweden Bridge
- 22Fellinis Restaurant
- 23Fairfield Horseshoe
- 24The Temperance Inn, Ambleside - Food & Drink
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Towns & Villages
Towns & Villages
Number of results: 109
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the day/session to suit you. We typically use easy to access climbing venues and also provide all technical and safety equipment.
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Address
The Temperance Inn, 33 Lake Rd, 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.
Tourism For All
Address
Chesters By The River, Skelwith Bridge, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9NJTelephone
+447852162142Ambleside
A 2-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a walk at Chesters By The River.
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Address
Stock Ghyll Force, 6 Stockghyll Ln, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QTAmbleside
Stock Ghyll Force is a 70-foot waterfall nestled in woodlands right in the heart of Ambleside - some call it Ambleside's best-kept secret!
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Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
The more popular mountains can become busy during holiday periods, so why not avoid the crowds by making an early (or late) start and watch the sunrise from a mountain summit?
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Address
Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EYTelephone
015394 43360Ambleside
Experience the very best of England's Lake District with a journey aboard a renowned Windermere cruise from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier. Windermere Lake Cruises is the most popular attraction in Cumbria and constantly one of England top five ‘paid…
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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 Flying Fleece, Rydal Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9ANTelephone
015394 33384Ambleside
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a cosy, relaxed & welcoming atmosphere. The perfect place to enjoy good quality, freshly made food, all at a reasonable price, & an extensive range of local…
Tourism For All
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Address
Haven Cottage B&B, Rydal Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AYTelephone
015394 33270Ambleside
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.
Tourism For All
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Address
The Wateredge Inn, Borrans Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EPTelephone
0191 580 3610Ambleside
Sitting right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, The Wateredge Inn is the perfect location to eat, drink, sleep and explore from with unrivalled views across Windermere.
Tourism For All
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Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland holiday! These days aim to blend rock climbing, rock scrambling and abseiling to give a varied and always fun experience in beautiful locations.
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Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
The Lake District is home to some of the most amazing Gravel Biking routes in England, with world class scenery coming as standard. We know loads of great routes throughout the district and to suit all abilities and expectations. This makes us well…
Address
Fellinis Restaurant, Church St, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0BTTelephone
015394 33845Ambleside
Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick's comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.
This explosively funny satire, about a rogue U.S General who triggers a nuclear attack, is…
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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.
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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…
Tourism For All
Address
Swim the Lakes, 2 Compston Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DJTelephone
015394 33826Ambleside
Are you interested in open-water swimming? This course is designed just for you! We simplify the process of getting into the water and enjoying outdoor swimming. Our Introduction to Open Water Swimming course, which combines dry-land knowledge and…
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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
Swim the Lakes, 2 Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DJTelephone
015394 33826Ambleside
Outdoor swim safety and lifesaving knowledge lie at the heart of our wild swimming courses and trips at Swim the Lakes. Over the years we have set the standard "best practice" for swim-guiding safety that others follow. We are lucky enough to have a…
Address
Swim the Lakes, 2 Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DJTelephone
015394 33826Ambleside
Swim Challenge East: A fantastic challenge trip to swim across the lakes in the Eastern Lake District – That's 7 lakes in 2 days, are you ready to accept the challenge? This is a fully catered trip for energetic & enthusiastic swimmers who will be…
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Address
Hayes Garden World, Lake Rd, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DWTelephone
015394 33434Ambleside
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…
Tourism For All
