Ambleside Village - South Lake District

Ambleside is a small and busy village at the north end of Lake Windermere.
It retains the charm and beauty of rural England, at the same time as looking after the modern World-Class tourist.
It maintains its old-fashioned beauty despite the constant humdrum of activity and development within.
Nothing stands still in Ambleside. Shops change. Businesses come and go. but if you look up and around you the beauty and mystery of the Lake and the mountains remind you of the timelessness of the area. The mountains dwarf you, but as you climb up them you enter a new world, one where time moves less quickly.

Nearby

From Ambleside you have close access to the Southern Lake District, including the Lakes: Windermere, Rydal, Grassmere and Coniston. The main tourist centres include Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside. The more rural valleys include Langdale.
Access to the North Lakes is via Kirkstone Pass, which is an hairy drive up steep, narrow, twisty roads.

Sightseeing

On a fine day, one of the best ways to see the area is to take the passenger boat from Ambleside, going either way around the lake. This trips gives an amazing view up the Fairfield Horseshoe, which cannot be bettered from anywhere.

History of Ambleside

Ambleside village dates back many thousands of years to the time of neolithic man. In 4000 BC, axes were ground in nearby Langdale Valley. The Romans had a fort, the Galava Roman Fort, in Ambleside at Waterhead.
Since then, stock grazing has been the main economic activity, alongside mining iron, copper and slate.
In the Industrial age, Ambleside had a bobbin manufacturing factory harnessing waterpower at Stock Ghyll Falls.
City living conditions deteriorated in the Industrial revolution, so the wealthy northern industrialists used their fortunes to build grandiose summer mansions on the shores of Windermere. These still exist and most are now guest houses.

More Information

For a useful resource on factual information in the Lake district see the Lake District National Park Authority site.
See also Golakes which is the official website of the tourist Board.