Ambleside

Travel Guide

Ambleside
Church of St Mary featuring night scenes and a church or cathedral
Ambleside showing a river or creek, heritage architecture and a small town or village
Ambleside featuring a small town or village and a river or creek
Rydal Mount showing a park and a house

This picturesque English town is an ideal base for exploring Lake Windermere and the spectacular Lake District National Park.

Ambleside is a pretty English town in the heart of Lake District National Park. The town’s attractions range from centuries-old architecture and waterfalls to scenic walks and watersport adventures. Ambleside dates back to medieval times when it thrived on the wool trading industry. It has since attracted writers, poets and enthusiasts of outdoor activities.

The town centre is easy to navigate on foot. Wander quiet streets to find picturesque stone cottages and half-timbered houses. Several of the buildings are now pubs, guesthouses and souvenir shops. Among these is the 400-year-old Unicorn Inn, a good place to sample a traditional English pub lunch. Learn about the town’s history at Armitt Museum. Investigate 19th-century St. Mary’s Church and its chapel dedicated to the poet, William Wordsworth.

Enjoy some of the many short walks from the town centre. One leads to Stock Ghyll Force, an impressive 70-foot-tall (21-metre) waterfall. Visit in spring, when a carpet of daffodils appears beneath the surrounding trees. Look for the 17th-century Bridge House, once used as storage for produce from an orchard. Another walk leads to the striking Stagshaw Garden. This woodland garden bursts to life in summer with blooms of colourful azaleas, bluebells and rhododendrons.

Hike or bike the Kirkstone Pass to witness the breathtaking natural beauty of the Lake District National Park. The pass connects Ambleside with nearby Patterdale. Admire sweeping views of mountain valleys, rolling hills and sprawling lakes.

Enjoy watersport activities on Lake Windermere, England’s biggest natural lake. Join a steamboat cruise from Waterhead Pier, a 15-minute walk from the town centre. Rent a kayak to explore the lake or take wakeboarding and waterskiing lessons. Scattered around the lake are historic sites, too, such as the ruins of the ancient Roman fort of Galava.

Get to Ambleside by flying to Manchester International Airport and then rent a car to reach your destination. Ambleside is a year-round destination. Each season offers a different perspective of the town’s exceptional surrounding countryside.

Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa

Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Lake Road, Ambleside, England
The price is RM795 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
RM795
RM954 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ambleside. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (838 reviews)
"Breakfast options were great and service was excellent"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa
The Daffodil Hotel

The Daffodil Hotel

4 out of 5
Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside, England
The price is RM681 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
RM681
RM818 total
10 Nov - 11 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ambleside. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (617 reviews)
"All aspects of our stay at the daffodil were excellent"

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

The Daffodil Hotel
The Temperance Inn, Ambleside. The Inn Collection Group

The Temperance Inn, Ambleside. The Inn Collection Group

3 out of 5
33 Lake Road, Ambleside, England
The price is RM418 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
RM418
RM502 total
11 Nov - 12 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star inn in Ambleside. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (216 reviews)
"Well done!"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

The Temperance Inn, Ambleside. The Inn Collection Group
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fell View

Fell View

3 out of 5
7 Blue Hill, Ambleside, England
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Ambleside. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Windermere and Ambleside Climbing Wall are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Lovely little cottage. Very easy walk into Ambleside of no more than 5 minutes."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Fell View
The Granary

The Granary

3 out of 5
The Granary Outgate, Ambleside, England
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Ambleside. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Windermere and Coniston Water are located ...
4/10 (1 review)
"Visable damp on the bathroom wall by the shower and a very strong smell of damp in the downstairs area including bedrooms. The owner tried to disguise the smell with air fresheners and by leaving the windows open but the smell of damp was still immediately apparent on entry. Had we been staying longer ..."

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2025

The Granary
The Old Farm

The Old Farm

3 out of 5
Skelwith Fold Skelwith Fold, Ambleside, England
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Ambleside. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Windermere and Skelwith Force are located ...
The Old Farm
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ambleside

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
163
5 - Excellent 69%
4 - Good
66
4 - Good 28%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I love Ambleside - it's a great base to explore the Lakes and a fabulous place for shopping and eating. This trip was to do the Windermere Way which wasn't a walk I would repeat - but that's becasue I prefer the Fells - and Langdale is hard to beat!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn’t visit as we were at a wedding all day .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Walks are beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Have visited many times before always a pleasure.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful part of the world with lots of quirky shops, pubs and cafes.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Some restaurants are very expensive 4 drinks for £34