Things to do in Ambleside

Activities, attractions and tours

Ambleside
Church of St Mary showing a church or cathedral and night scenes
Ambleside showing a small town or village, a river or creek and heritage architecture
Ambleside showing a small town or village and a river or creek
Rydal Mount featuring a garden and a house

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Most popular experiences in Ambleside

Tours & day trips

See all 42 activities
Manchester: Lake District Tour with Lake Cruise & Train Ride

Manchester: Lake District Tour with Lake Cruise & Train Ride

Activity duration is 10 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €91 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 18 activities
Northern Lake District: Self Guided Walking Tour of Keswick

Northern Lake District: Self Guided Walking Tour of Keswick

Activity duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is €7 per adult
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Cruises & boat tours

See all 7 activities
MANCHESTER: Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip

MANCHESTER: Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip

Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes
8.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €68 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 6 activities
Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip from Liverpool

Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip from Liverpool

Activity duration is 9 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is €68 per adult
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What to do in Ambleside

Popular places to visit

Grasmere Lake & Rydal Water

Grasmere Lake & Rydal Water

5/5(1 review)

You can learn about the history of Grasmere with a stop at Grasmere Lake & Rydal Water. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Grasmere Lake & Rydal Water
Rydal Mount which includes a house and interior views

Rydal Mount

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Wander through the picturesque grounds of Wordsworth’s family home and imagine how the views of lakes inspired him to write.

Rydal Mount
Dove Cottage featuring heritage elements, a park and a house

Dove Cottage

4/5(1 review)

Visit the 17th-century house where William Wordsworth lived for almost a decade and wrote some of his most celebrated works.

Dove Cottage
Ambleside featuring a lake or waterhole and boating

Ambleside Pier

4/5(1 review)

Explore the waterfront in Waterhead with a trip to Ambleside Pier. Visit the spas and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Ambleside Pier
Wray Castle

Wray Castle

3/5(1 review)

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Wray Castle during your trip to Ambleside. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Wray Castle
Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows

Explore the great outdoors at Tarn Hows, a lovely green space in Ambleside. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Tarn Hows
Rydal Water

Rydal Water

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Rydal Water during your travels in Ambleside. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this quaint area.

Rydal Water
Church of St Mary showing a church or cathedral and night scenes

Church of St Mary

Enjoy the serene ambiance in this charming lakeside church, peruse the intricate stained-glass windows and learn about medieval traditions.

Church of St Mary

Grizedale Forest

5/5(1 review)

Explore the great outdoors at Grizedale Forest, a lovely green space in Hawkshead. Amble around this relaxing area's lakeside and enjoy its lively bars.

Grizedale Forest
Keswick featuring markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Keswick

Windermere which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and café lifestyle

Windermere

Penrith

Penrith

Coniston Water featuring a lake or waterhole, boating and a small town or village

Coniston

Ambleside which includes sailing and a lake or waterhole

Waterhead

Frequently asked questions

Is Ambleside worth visiting?
With a mix of walking trails and views, there are many things to do in Ambleside. While you're here, check out Old Laundry Theatre, a must-see attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Ambleside?
Bowness Pier and Treetop Trek are two great places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Ambleside while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ambleside?
Old Laundry Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Ambleside and should feature high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Ambleside?
Three days in Ambleside is plenty of time to enjoy the city's main attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. Old Laundry Theatre, Beatrix Potter Gallery and Treetop Trek are highly rated sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a bit longer to check off nearby hotspots like Windermere.
Is Ambleside a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Ambleside is a good destination to tour on foot. Enjoy wandering between Treetop Trek and Skelwith Force. Then take a stroll around Limefitt Park, located 5 kilometres from downtown, and High Wray, which is roughly 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Ambleside with kids?
If you are after activities and attractions for all ages, take a look at these fabulous ideas for what to do in Ambleside with kids.

What to do in Ambleside for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Ambleside, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Grasmere Garden Village or Wordsworth Museum.
Are there free things to do in Ambleside?
From checking out parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's simple to find free things to do in Ambleside. If you're looking for inspiration, get some tips from a local tour guide. Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore is a top spot for anyone looking to save on their travelling adventures.