Ambleside

Ambleside is a town in Cumbria. It is located at the head of Windermere, England’s largest lake, within the Lake District National Park.

Boats at Ambleside. Jetty for steamers in the background.

Get in

Ambleside is an easy bus trip from Windermere and you can also catch a boat from various destinations on Lake Windermere.

Get around

Ambleside is a small village so most places can be visited by walking around.

See

• The Armitt Library and Museum - provides a fascinating source of local history
• Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70 foot waterfall
• Bridge House – a 17th-century structure over Stock Ghyll, now used as an information centre for the national Trust.
• Homes of Football, 100 Lake Road, ☎ +44 15394 34440. Weekdays 10am – 2pm (guaranteed, will sometimes stay open later). Weekends 10.30am – 4.30pm. Exhibition of photographs by Stuart Clarke, taken at football matches or football-related events all around the world. A fascinating insight into football culture. Strongly recommended. 
•   Wray Castle, Low Wray, LA22 0JA (4 miles south of Ambleside), ☎ +44 15394 33250, e-mail: wraycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.  
•   Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, LA22 0LF (7 miles south of Ambleside), ☎ +44 15394 36269, e-mail: hilltop@nationaltrust.org.uk.  

Do

Feed the swans near the jetty.

• Stock Ghyll Force.  

Sleep

•   Waterhead, Lake Road, ☎ +44 15394 32566. Check-in: 3:00pm, check-out: 11:00am. 4 stat town house boutique hotel. £56.50-£113 pppn. 
• The Drunken Duck Inn, ☎ +44 15394 36347, e-mail: info@drunkenduckinn.co.uk. Barngates, Tariff £90 upwards. 
• Ambleside Lodge, Rothay Road, LA22 0EJ, ☎ +44 15394 31681, e-mail: enquiries@ambleside-lodge.com. Bed and Breakfast. Tariff £30 upwards. Self-catering. 

Go next

• Rydal Mount – home of William Wordsworth