Ambleside
Family fun and adventure in the heart of the English Lake District
Ambleside
Facilities and access
Ambleside
Overview
Family fun and adventure in the heart of the English Lake District
The bustling Lake District villages of Windermere and Ambleside are situated around lake Windermere, England’s longest lake. 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.
For those interested in an adventure on foot there’s plenty of choice, with something to suit even the littlest legs. One of our favourites is the short walk from Ambleside to Stagshaw Gardens which, in the spring and summer, bursts into life with a blaze of colour and scent. Alternatively, venture into one of our ancient woodlands and discover some of the country’s tallest trees and a habitat teeming with wildlife and mini-beasts.
Our lakeshore parks offer access to the water and are brilliant for a picnic and a bit of a 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
- +441539446027
- 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. For Bridge House alight at Ambleside bus station. 555 or 599 to Troutbeck Bridge, followed by a 1½ mile walk up a minor road to Townend or a ¾ mile walk up a minor road to St Catherine's estate. 599 or 618 to Bowness Pier, followed by a short walk along the Glebe to Cockshott Point. 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 St Catherine's, Stagshaw and Skelghyll Woods, Bridge House and Millerground. The A592 takes you to Cockshott Point just off The Glebe at Bowness Bay.
- Parking: limited, at Stagshaw Gardens
- SatNav:
- On foot
- A public footpath connects Windermere train station with various routes through the St Catherine's estate up to Orrest Head Viewpoint, where you will find amazing vistas of Windermere Lake and the mountains beyond, all within a 1-2 mile walk. You can also access a short footpath just off the A591 down to Millerground on the shore of Windermere Lake.
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 or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
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: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| 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 |
Ambleside
Opening times
Please note...
Bridge House is closed until Friday 25 March. Stagshaw Gardens at their best April to July.
Monday 26 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 27 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 28 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Thursday 29 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Friday 30 September
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Saturday 1 October
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk
Sunday 2 October
- Windermere and Ambleside (countryside) Dawn to dusk
- Bridge House 11:30 - 16:30
- Stagshaw Gardens Dawn to dusk