Stagshaw Garden and Ambleside

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).

Sat Nav: For Stagshaw Garden & Skelghyll Wood use: LA22 0HE. For Ambleside Roman Fort use: LA22 0ES. For Bridge House use: LA22 9AY. Then follow On Foot directions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cycle route information 

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 (1.6km) to the house. For more information go to Windermere Lake Cruises