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The small town of Ambleside is located in the Lake District, and is today a major tourist destination filled with unique shops, a good variety of restaurants, places to stay, and even a cinema.
Ambleside is also a very popular town for walkers, cyclists, and climbers, as it provides easy access to the villages of Grasmere, Keswick, and Windermere, and has a direct path leading to the lake Windermere.
View of Ambleside upon arrival
6 Pretty Spots in the Village of Ambleside, Cumbria
Although Ambleside encompasses a variety of areas and things to do, I found these six spots to be lovely and worth capturing—especially if you are planning on spending a couple of hours in the town center.
Street sign upon entering the village
This is a wonderful spot to snap a picture, as you are able to appreciate not only the sign signaling the different directions, but all four different streets that join together in this intersection—Rothay Road, Compston Road, Church St, and Kelsick Road.
Four different streets join together in this intersection—Rothay Road, Compston Road, Church St, and Kelsick Road
The Bridge House
The Bridge House is a popular landmark in the Lake District and is probably the most photographed building in the National Park. This picturesque 17th-Century building was considered a ‘curious relic’ in the Victorian period, and ‘one which every artist sketches as he passes by’. A well known fact about this quirky house is that it was built over the Stock Ghyll stream to avoid land tax!
The Bridge House
The Golden Rule Pub
The Golden Rule Pub is a beautiful Grade II building and one of Ambleside’s hidden gems, as it is tucked away off the main road. The plants and flowers adorning the exterior will not only entice you to come in, but to also photograph the lovely facade.
The exterior of the Golden Rule Pub
North Road
This beautiful, narrow street, used to be the main road going north out of Ambleside. The white buildings, along with their blue and green doors, make it a fabulous street to walk on and capture the beauty of the area.
Partial view of North Road
The Old Mill
Another lovely and historical spot in the small town of Ambleside is The Old Mill Tea Room at the Giggling Goose, a cafe in a listed mill with working waterwheel which used to produce the power for the mill in the 18th-Century. A simple look at it and one can’t help but traveling back to a now bygone era.
The old mill
Bridge Street
This street was once known as Rattle Ghyll due to the noise produced by the waterwheels. From this beautiful and quaint street, you can appreciate the previously mentioned Old Mill as well as some wonderful shops, cafes, and cottages, all showcasing their lovely white facades and gentle green-painted doors and windows. There is one hidden gem located in this street—a charming little alleyway—but, mind your head, otherwise you’ll end up bumping into the wall!
Partial view of Bridge Street
A sign located at the end of the hidden alleyway, prompting guests to bend or bump their heads!
Conclusion
Whether you choose or not to explore Ambleside more in depth, I hope this small guide to pretty spots in the village will have inspired you to look at this historic Lake District town differently next time you’re passing through. I hope I can return to Ambleside one day and share with you more beautiful views and spots worthwhile visiting.
Have you been to Ambleside recently? What’s your favourite spot to visit here and why? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Planning a trip to the Lake District? You can click here to book a stay in the town of Ambleside
Paola Tambo 