Ambleside
Family fun and adventure in the heart of the English Lake District
Ambleside
Overview
Family fun and adventure in the heart of the English Lake District
Sitting on the northern tip of Lake Windermere, the town of Ambleside is surrounded by countryside. With fells, woodland, parks, the quirky little Bridge House and a Roman fort on offer, this part of the Lake District is great for families looking for fun in the great outdoors. In spring, Stagshaw Garden bursts into life, with colourful displays of azaleas and rhododendrons. Skelghyll Woods are home to Cumbria’s tallest trees, and Jenkyn’s Field is great for a lakeshore picnic and paddle. The lake itself is ripe for exploration, it has no fewer than 18 islands and is home to the Lake District’s largest population of Goldeneye Ducks.
- Telephone
- 01539446027
- windermere@nationaltrust.org.uk
Ambleside
How to get here
- Address
- near Windermere, Cumbria
- By cycle
- The Sustrans National Cycle Network has a proposed route from Windermere Station along the A591 to Ambleside. A cycle lane runs along this section to Stagshaw, Bridge House and Ambleside Roman Fort, but please be aware that some sections run along the main road. For more information go to Sustrans
- By ferry
- In the main tourist season, regular boat trips leave Bowness Pier Waterhead jetties, where Stagshaw and Ambleside Roman Fort are within easy walking distance. For Bridge House catch the Bowness to Waterhead boat, then walk 1 mile to the house. For more information go to Windermere Lake Cruises
- By bus
- Regular Stagecoach bus connections from Windermere Station to locations throughout the valley. 555 or 599 to Waterhead, followed by a very short walk along footpaths to Ambleside Roman Fort or Stagshaw Garden. For Bridge House alight at Ambleside bus station. For more information go to Transport Direct
- By train
- Kendal train station is 8 miles away from Windermere. The West Coast Main Line connects with the Oxenholme to Windermere line, which has regular services throughout the year. There are bus connections from Windermere Station to all locations in the valley. For more information go to Transport Direct
- By road
- Junction 36 on M6. The A591 is the busiest tourist driving route right though the heart of the Lake District, where you can access carparks near Stagshaw Garden and Skelghyll Woods, Bridge House and Ambleside Roman Fort.
- Parking: small NT car park at Stagshaw Garden. Several car parks in Ambleside and Waterhead, not National Trust (charge including members).
- SatNav:
- On foot
- For Ambleside Roman Fort turn right out of Waterhead car park and cross over the road. With the lake on your left follow the path through Borrans Park until you reach the gate for Ambleside Roman Fort. For Bridge House turn right out of Rydal Road car park, Bridge House is situated on the right, just a very short walk along the pavement.
Ambleside
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Ambleside
Opening times
Monday 21 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 22 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 23 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Thursday 24 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Friday 25 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Saturday 26 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Sunday 27 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House Closed
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Ambleside
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01539446027
- windermere@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- near Windermere, Cumbria