Ambleside Guidebook
Favourite pubs
A great locals pub. Walkers and dogs very welcome. Warm up after a day on the fells in front of the fire. Personal favourite local ale is Cumbria Way.
Golden Rule
Smithy BrowA great locals pub. Walkers and dogs very welcome. Warm up after a day on the fells in front of the fire. Personal favourite local ale is Cumbria Way.
Another good dog friendly pub, in the village centre. Well kept beer, and outside seating too.
6 locals recommend
Royal Oak
Another good dog friendly pub, in the village centre. Well kept beer, and outside seating too.
Closest bar to the flat, just at the foot of Old Lake Road, where it joins Lake Road towards the village centre. Live music at least once a week.
13 locals recommend
The Lily Bar
12-14 Lake RdClosest bar to the flat, just at the foot of Old Lake Road, where it joins Lake Road towards the village centre. Live music at least once a week.
Part of the Inn Group, but good value beer and pub grub. Dog friendly, there's even a jar of dog biscuits on the bar!
The White Lion Hotel
Market PlacePart of the Inn Group, but good value beer and pub grub. Dog friendly, there's even a jar of dog biscuits on the bar!
Great local walks
Walk this fell from your door. Beautiful views over Grasmere and to the Langdale Pikes from the summit.
32 locals recommend
Loughrigg Fell
Walk this fell from your door. Beautiful views over Grasmere and to the Langdale Pikes from the summit.
A great day walk from Ambleside, which can be extended to descend to Troutbeck, and return via Skelghyll Woods.
Wansfell Pike
A great day walk from Ambleside, which can be extended to descend to Troutbeck, and return via Skelghyll Woods.
A great place to walk your dog, and a bit of culture thrown in for free, as this Roman fort is situated on the Ambleside water meadows.
Ambleside Roman Fort
A great place to walk your dog, and a bit of culture thrown in for free, as this Roman fort is situated on the Ambleside water meadows.
Approach across Rothay Park and Miller Bridge, then up the bridleway. Amazing views down Windermere from the top!
Todd Crag
Approach across Rothay Park and Miller Bridge, then up the bridleway. Amazing views down Windermere from the top!
The Langdale Pikes form an iconic skyline, and offer a huge range of day walks and scrambles to enjoy.
18 locals recommend
Langdale Pikes
The Langdale Pikes form an iconic skyline, and offer a huge range of day walks and scrambles to enjoy.
A relatively short walk from Grasmere, to this iconic feature on the top; the Lion and the Lamb. Stunning views.
Helm Crag
A relatively short walk from Grasmere, to this iconic feature on the top; the Lion and the Lamb. Stunning views.
Ambleside shops
Very good local shop, for mountain essentials such as maps, compass, poles and rucksacks.
The Climbers Shop
Compston RoadVery good local shop, for mountain essentials such as maps, compass, poles and rucksacks.
Fred's Ambleside Bookshop
Guidebooks, maps, and books, from this great independent bookseller.
Not exciting, but very handy for a food shop, and only a 3-4 minute walk from the flat.
32 locals recommend
Tesco Express
Market PlaceNot exciting, but very handy for a food shop, and only a 3-4 minute walk from the flat.
Food scene
A good local pizza restaurant, with a cinema upstairs that features all the latest releases.
64 locals recommend
Zeffirellis
2 Compston RdA good local pizza restaurant, with a cinema upstairs that features all the latest releases.
If you fancy a nice meal out, this is a popular local restaurant, and well worth a visit.
12 locals recommend
Lucy's On A Plate
6 Church StIf you fancy a nice meal out, this is a popular local restaurant, and well worth a visit.
The Rattle Ghyll
Rydal RoadGreat food always!
A long(ish) walk, or a short drive, out of Ambleside to Barngates, this pub has a micro-brewery, and is a gastro pub if you are out for a special meal.
50 locals recommend
The Drunken Duck Inn & Restaurant
A long(ish) walk, or a short drive, out of Ambleside to Barngates, this pub has a micro-brewery, and is a gastro pub if you are out for a special meal.
Takeaway food
Situated almost at the bottom of the garden, our favourite is the Diamond Banquet menu.
China Cottage
7 Lake RoadSituated almost at the bottom of the garden, our favourite is the Diamond Banquet menu.
If you after a cooked bacon butty, or sandwiches for your day on the fells, this is just up the road from the flat.
The Picnic Box, Ambleside Hot and Cold Food
1 Lake RdIf you after a cooked bacon butty, or sandwiches for your day on the fells, this is just up the road from the flat.
Peggy's Bakery
Compston RoadThe best pies in Ambleside!
Sightseeing
Visit the historic Bridge House in the centre of Ambleside, an iconic building now looked after by National Trust.
6 locals recommend
The Bridge House
Rydal RoadVisit the historic Bridge House in the centre of Ambleside, an iconic building now looked after by National Trust.
Some of the best views of the lake at sunset, and you can catch the ferry from here to Windermere or Lakeside.
8 locals recommend
Waterhead
Some of the best views of the lake at sunset, and you can catch the ferry from here to Windermere or Lakeside.
You can drive or walk to Wray from Ambleside, and visit the grounds of the castle for free, or entry if a NT member.
54 locals recommend
National Trust Wray Castle
You can drive or walk to Wray from Ambleside, and visit the grounds of the castle for free, or entry if a NT member.