Ambleside Attractions

Below is a list of Ambleside Attractions with Photos, Websites, Phone Numbers, Information and links to Maps and Reviews.

Click on the Postcodes for Maps and Reviews.

The Attractions are listed by closest to Ambleside.

Ableside Boat Tours on Lake Windermere
1 mile south of Ambleside centre. There are a number of boat tours from the Waterhead Pier at Ambleside, on large three deck boats with a bar, and a number of smaller boats. There is also a good selection of motor boats and rowing boats for hire. The boat tours go to the islands, Bowness on Windermere about 5 miles south, and Lakeside about 12 miles south. There is a large pay and display car park by the pier. Map. Phone number 01539 443 360.
Website . LA22 0EY . Image

Ambleside Roman Fort
On the south side of Ambleside by Borrans Park, by the Waterhead Pier. The remains of a 2nd-century fort thought to have been built by Hadrian to guard the Roman road from Brougham to Ravenglas. Managed by the National Trust. Tel: 0370 333 1181.
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White Platts
Recreation ground in the centre of Ambleside on Compston Road, next to St Mary's Church. The park is extremely popular for bowls, tennis, putting and a mini golf course. Phone number 01539 431 332.
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St Mary's Church Ambleside
On Vicarage Road, next to White Platts recreation ground. It was built between 1850 and 1854, in the Early Gothic style to designs of the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. Visitors welcome. Phone number 01539 433 205.
Website . VCPage . LA229DH . Image

Ambleside Cinema
There are three cinemas in Ambleside run by the restaurants Fellinis and Zeffirellis. The cinemas at the restaurants offer dining and movie deals. There is also the Zeffs by the Park cinema next to St Mary's Church that shows the latest Hollywood releases in digital and 3D, as seen right. Phone 01539 433 845.
Website . LA22 9DJ . Image

Armitt Museum
North side of Ambleside on Rydal Road. This is one of Britains smallest museums serving as a museum, art gallery and library. The museum covers the cultural heritage of the Lake District. Phone number 01539 431 212.
Website . LA22 9BL . Image

The Old Courthouse Gallery
In the centre of Amblesdie on Market Place. A spacious gallery displaying on three floors, the best in contemporary British art & craft Phone number 01539 432 022.
Website . LA22 9BU

Ambleside Climbing Wall
Close to the centre of Ambleside on Lake Road. Beginners of all ages can receive expert tuition and supervision from highly qualified and experienced instructors on the 35ft wall and Bouldering Room. Tel: 01539 433 794.
Website . LA22 0DB

River Rothay Stepping Stones
1 mile north of Ambleside. There is a circular flat walk from Ambleside that can also take in the 735ft Todd Crag hill for great views over Ambleside and Lake Windermere. The stepping stones are one of the most photographed attractions in Cumbria.
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Outside of Ambleside to the South

Stagshaw Gardens
Under 1 mile south of Ambleside. This 8 acre garden has a vast collection of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas, as well as many other rare trees and plants. Tel: 01539 446 027.
Website . LA22 0HE

Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre
1 mile south of Ambleside. Instruction & Hire include dinghy and keelboat sailing, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and powerboating, and have available for hire motor boats and rowing boats, sailing dinghies and keelboats, sit-on-top kayaks and open canoes. Tel: 01539 439 441.
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Brockhole Visitor Centre
2 miles south of Ambleside. Enjoy the scenic gardens, treat yourself in the cafe, take a Treetop Trek, bounce around on the Treetop Nets, and lots of great attractions. Phone number 01539 446 601.
Website . LA23 1FF

Holehird Gardens
4 miles southeast of Ambleside. The gardens are open each day throughout the year from dawn til dusk. The reception desk is open from April - October, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tel: 01539 446 008.
Website . LA23 1NP

Kankku OffRoad Driving 4x4s
Based 4 miles south of Ambleside in the centre of Windermere on Victoria Street. Tracks in the Lake District National Park for complete beginners and experienced 4x4 drivers. Phone number 01539 447 414.
Website . LA23 1AD . Image

North of Ambleside

Rydal Hall
2 miles north of Ambleside in the very small village of Rydal. The hall is now operated as a Retreat and Holiday Centre. You can visit the gardens free of charge, doantions can be made. There is also the Old Schoolroom Teashop that is popular with visitors. Phone number 01539 432 050.
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Rydal Mount
2 miles north of Ambleside in the very small village of Rydal. This was William Wordsworth's family home from 1813 to his death in 1850. Attractions are the House, Gardens, and Tearoom. Rydal Church is also worth visiting to see the pews where the Wordsworth family worshiped. Phone 01539 433 002.
Website . LA22 9LU . Image

Dove Cottage
4 miles north of Ambleside, across the main road from Grasmere village centre. This was the home of William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy from 1799 to 1808. This period is said to be when Wordsworth wrote some of his finest works. The cottage is now run as a museum, and there is a larger building close by that holds more Wordsworth exhibitions. Phone number 01539 435 544.
Website . wiki . LA22 9PP . Image

St Oswald's Church
4 miles north of Ambleside, in the centre of Grasmere village. The earliest parts of the church are believed to be from the 1200s. The poet William Wordsworth and his wife were buried in the churchyard in the 1850s. Their graves are at the rear of the church. The nave holds a memorial for William Wordsworth. Tel: 07305 777 113.
Website . LA22 9SW . Image

Alan Bank
4 miles north of Ambleside, on the north side of Grasmere village. This is a restored Georgian mansion that William Wordsworth lived in from 1808 to 1810. The National Trust now run the house with it being first opened to the public in 2012. There is also an interesting woodland walk at the house. Phone number 01539 435 143.
Website . Walk Photos . LA22 9QB

See also Grasmere for more attractions there.

South and Southwest of Ambleside

Langdale Valley
7 miles west of Ambleside. The area is one of the most remote and scenic in the Lake District. There are a number of flat walks, and hikes over some of the toughest looking mountains in England, including Harrison Stickle. Rock Climbing, Ghyll Scrambling, and Para Gliding are also popular. The area has a number of popular country hotels and Inns for drinks and meals. Beware when driving, as it is hard to follow the road with all the great scenery around.
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Wray Castle
4 miles southwest of Ambleside on the banks of Lake Windermere. Wray Castle was built in 1840 for a retired surgeon, James Dawson from Liverpool. The National Trust took over the property in 1929, but have only recently opened it to the public on a regular basis. You can catch a Boat that runs from Ambleside and Bowness to the castle with an option for a walk as well. Phone number 01539 433 250.
Website . Wiki . LA22 0JA . Image

Hill Top House
7 miles southwest of Ambleside at the small village of Near Sawrey. Hill Top House was Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse that she bough in 1905 with the procedes of her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit. The house has been maintained as it was when Beatrix Potter lived there. Tel: 01539 436 269.
Website . wiki/page . LA22 0LF

Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery
7 miles southwest of Ambleside. A first class, well managed Trout fishery in a natural 280 acre water with excellent facilities for boat or bank fishing. Tel: 01539 436 541.
Website . LA22 0QF

Grizedale Forest
8 miles southwest of Ambleside. The park offers GoApe Zip Lines, Walking Trails, Cycling Trails, Outdoor Sculptures, Cafe, Shop and more. Phone number 0300 067 4495.
Website . LA22 0QJ

See also Coniston and Hawkshead that are also southwest of Ambleside.