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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.
Troutbeck and Ambleside are linked by an old bridleway that traverses the southern flanks of…
The Langdale Estate is a magical place for your wedding. Set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds…
Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two…
An enjoyable mountain bike ride on gravel and stony tracks with views across the Langdale Pikes and…
Learn how to massage in the Lakes. Workshops include couple's massage tutorials and deep tissue…
You don't have to climb to the top of the highest peaks to experience the magical mixture of…
Claife Heights, an area of low fells lying west of Windermere, is an excellent venue for those new…
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the…
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the…
Loughrigg Fell might not be the biggest peak in the Lake District but standing by the summit trig…
At The Wateredge Inn, you can enjoy delicious homecooked food with a view. Whether you are looking…
Sitting right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, The Wateredge Inn is the perfect location…
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and…
Electric bike charging point, located at Elterwater Hostel, Ambleside. Free charge if staying…
Public toilets located adjacent to the car park.
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and…
Secretly tucked away behind Ambleside is the high valley of Scandale.
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping…
Tariff type: Multi Tariff. Public toilets on site.
Discover Ambleside on a walking tour with a Cumbria Blue Badge Guide weaving history, literary and…
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Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
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The Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 102
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Ambleside
Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two thousand years ago this was far from the case.
Recent work at the site by Trimontium Trust and Edinburgh University have brought to light a number…
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…
Ambleside
Learn how to massage in the Lakes. Workshops include couple's massage tutorials and deep tissue back massage lessons Acquire new healing skills and enjoy receiving massage in the process.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
5 reviewsAmbleside
Join us on a journey through the world's most breathtaking landscapes with a selection of award winning films showcasing the year's most daring feats of courage and tales of human resilience. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or simply someone who…
Ambleside
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain's welfare state and created the NHS. This epic new Welsh fantasia is written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris…
Ambleside
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.
Ambleside
Established in 1887, F W Tyson have specialised in country and mountain footwear for the connoisseur for over 120 years.
Ambleside
At The Wateredge Inn, you can enjoy delicious homecooked food with a view. Whether you are looking for traditional pub grub or exciting seasonal specials there is something for everyone at this fantastic lakeside pub.
Ambleside
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.
Langdale
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and parking is plentiful. If you are in the National Trust the parking is free, otherwise expect to pay. There are toilet blocks in the car park and two…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1055 reviewsAmbleside
Often described as the friendliest and most beautiful UK marathon.
This wonderful and undulating road marathon takes place every year in May. It's a 26.2 mile anti-clockwise circuit of Windermere through the villages of Hawkshead, Newby Bridge,…
Ambleside
As part of our "Running Int' Fells" events programme for mental health in May, Alex Staniforth and Harrison Ward will share their stories about how getting out into the fells – running, swimming, walking – have helped them to push through times of…
Ambleside
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and obsession that was also the first book to introduce the sport to a general audience, beyond the mountainous north-west. Some say fell running hasn't been…
Ambleside
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.
Ambleside
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in the Lake District. We would love to help you create a Lakeland adventure that you will never forget!
Ambleside
Macbeth is coming. A couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power have blood on their hands. Witness the gripping tale of greed, murder, deception, and superstition in cinemas for a limited time only. Once you cross the line, you can never…
AMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
Ambleside
Whatever the weather or time of year, our self-catering cottages and timber-framed properties are ready and waiting for families and groups of all sizes eager to get away from it all and holiday together!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
143 reviewsAmbleside
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
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
102 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL