Ambleside - The Lake District

Ambleside has been inhabited since pre-Roman times, Ambleside is largely Victorian. A fort beside Borrans Park - named Galava - built in Ambleside by the Romans for 500 soldiers built solely to defend the lower fells of South Lakeland from invasion by the Picts and Scots, and to guard the road to the Roman Port at Ravenglass via the famous Hard Knott Pass.

The opening of the Lake Windermere ferry terminal at Waterhead Pier in 1845 created further expansion. Today ferries can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside.

Ambleside has been connected with many famous people including William Wordsworth, Hardwicke Rawnsley, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter. There is lots of information on Ambleside available at The Armitt Museum.

William Wordsworth had an office in Ambleside, situated in Church St, where he gained the role of 'Collector of Stamps' for Westmorland, soon after his family moved to their house at Rydal Mount.

St Mary's Church, which is being renovated at the moment was firstly completed in 1854, St Mary's Church in Ambleside was designed by Sr George Gilbet Scott in the Early English style mainly built from local 'blue' stone, with a sandstone spire, an unusual feature for a Lakeland church. There is also a chapel devoted to the memory of William Wordsworth.

If you are after exploring Ambleside there is the 'Ambleside Heritage Trail', which guides you through some of the interesting parts of Ambleside, old Ambleside, building of interest featuring How Head. The oldest building in Ambleside, incorporating local stone from the old Roman Fort, and river cobbles.

Ambleside is a great place for mountain biking in the Lake District, the Lake district mountains and hills make ideal terrain for moutain biking to the extreme.

A short walk or bike ride from the centre of the village leads to Stock Ghyll Force, a breathtaking 70 foot waterfall, in spring the area under the trees is a carpet of daffodils. Ambleside used to have 12 watermills driven by the power of Stock Ghyll and other local becks most have now ceased working.

The 17th Century Bridge House infamous in The Lake Distrcit over Stock Ghyll is one of the most photographed scenes in Lakeland opposite St Martins College - Ambleside, the bridge house is a shop and Ambleside information centre for the National Trust.

Ambleside has now become a major tourist resort with shops, hotels and restaurants, and is one of the best town bases for exploring the Lake District.

Check out the Rushbearing Festival

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