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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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Fun facts and tantalising trivia about the town of Ambleside. Click for more details.
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Zeffirellis hosts an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a daytime café, a jazz bar on the second…
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller's…
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers…
A touch of luxury in a secluded part of The Lakes, complete with a cedar wood hot tub and 10 acres…
Spooky Night Swim – Wild swimming is great fun in its own right, but add a little bit of Halloween…
The Ullswater Swimming Adventure is a lovely little adventure swim taking in the fascinating…
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked…
Ambleside's latest destinations for craft beer & real ale enthusiasts. Offering brewery-fresh craft…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and swimming. Rydal…
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away…
Claife Heights, an area of low fells lying west of Windermere, is an excellent venue for those new…
Do not miss this 'enchantingly staged' family folk opera, following the triumphant, Olivier…
Parking spaces: General: 29, Disabled spaces: 3, Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the spaces with…
Brimstone Spa, is exclusively for residents of the Langdale Hotel, Langdale Lodges and Brimstone…
Count Almaviva lives with his Countess on their estate near Seville. The Count has his eye on his…
Hayes Garden World is the perfect place to relax and revive on any trip to this, the largest garden…
Whether you have a few hours to unwind, an afternoon to recharge or a whole day to relax, come and…
The Lake District is home to some of the most amazing Gravel Biking routes in England, with world…
The Waterhead area is just a short walk from the centre of town. This is the start of Windermere –…
Offenbach's fantastical opera kicks off the Metropolitan Opera's season of Live in HD performance…
Sitting right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, The Wateredge Inn is the perfect location…
We offer a range of private group experiences near Ambleside, including ghyll scrambling,…
Zeffirellis is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Ambleside
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.
Church St, Ambleside
Restaurant located in the former work place of William Wordsworth, serving food inspired by Cumbria, specialising in Cumbrian sourced produce.
Ambleside
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.
Ambleside
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…
Ambleside
Wild swimming is a joy for the senses and one of our favourite pastimes. Our night swim takes this experience to another level! You get the feeling that anything can happen. With heightened senses, the world becomes a quieter, more mysterious place.…
Ambleside
Located within the peaceful grounds of Brathay Hall, we have just six grasscrete pitches available for weekend stays, and some mid-week stays in summer, including electrical hook-up. Access to a water supply is available on site with a tap opposite…
Ambleside
On our walk the the history of Ambleside started with the Romans. They built their fort Galava in a very spectacular location on the shores of Windermere at the confluence of the Rivers Brathay and Rothay, surrounded by the mountainous amphitheatre…
Ambleside
The Helvellyn Double Dipper is our special take on a classic Lake District mountain walk amongst the Helvellyn Massif and is guaranteed to leave you with a day to remember.
A great adventure swimming day out. Swimming in the awe-inspiring Red Tarn…
Ambleside
The Armitt museum's fungi walks are back again for another year! Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter and join us on our hunt for fungi. Colin and Helen, will lead a guided walk through Ambleside on a fungi hunt inspired by Beatrix Potter's…
Ambleside
Ambleside Townhouse is a fifteen ensuite bedroomed, dog friendly luxury bed and breakfast with onsite parking located in the heart of Ambleside.
Ambleside
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.
Church St, Ambleside
A ray of glimmer and shine, André Rieu's 2024 Christmas Concert will be returning to cinemas!
This holiday season bring some sparkle to your screens, and join André and his Johann Strauss Orchestra in their Christmas extravaganza. Join us now so you…
Compston Rd, Ambleside
The Joe Locke Quartet – Europe 2024
Multi-award-winning celebrated US vibraphonist Joe Locke will tour Europe in late October and early November of 2024, playing festivals and clubs across the region. Booking is now well under way, with a headline…
2 Compston Rd, Ambleside
'Hejira' is a 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late '70s. Having released the albums 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', 'Hejira', 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter' and 'Mingus' (regarded as…
Ambleside
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF KURT SCHWITTERS - an afternoon of reflective walking on the life and work of Kurt Schwitters (20 June 1887 – 8 January 1948) who spent the last few years of his life in Ambleside. He was a German artist, who became famous…
Ambleside
A staycation at Brathay gives you everything you need for a well-deserved break that will get you away from it all and boost your wellbeing. Whatever the weather, or time of year, and however chilled or super-adventurous you want to be, we have…
Ambleside
The Waterhead Inn is located an easy stroll from Ambleside centre, just a stones throw from Windermere. The Waterhead Inn is the perfect place to return to after a long day’s walking or exploring, whether you rest your head in one of our cosy double…
Ambleside
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…
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Church St, Ambleside
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller's award-winning play.
Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross…
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