The Lake District

There is no disguising the fact that the Lake District is the most beautiful area in England. It is a National Park and World Heritage site for a reason. Many reasons in fact. It can be majestic and powerful, serene and graceful, drop-dead gorgeous and inspirational. Although agriculture has shaped the look of the landscape, it is a natural environment and a place that people escape to. The ‘escape’ varies from thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies to those seeking tranquillity. It’s a healing place, a landscape that attracts artists and poets, thinkers and lovers, and those whose lives are all too busy. The Lake District is an international destination of great repute, but you can always find a little space just for you. If you’d like to learn more, use these links:

The Lake District National Park Authority

Find out more at: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/

The Lake District World Heritage Site

Find out more at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/422/

The Lake District on Wikipedia

Find out more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_District

Cumbria Tourism

Find out more at: https://www.golakes.co.uk/

Friends of the Lake District

Find out more at: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/

Lake District Foundation

Find out more at: https://www.lakedistrictfoundation.org/

Ambleside

Ambleside is completely at home in the Lake District National Park. It quietly enjoys its location at the centre of the English Lakes and is the perfect touring base for anyone looking to explore this National Park and World Heritage Site.

Ambleside has all the amenities of a town, with all the charm of a Lakeland village. Its history is long, its people are kind and its culture is one of ‘warm welcome’.

Originally chosen as the site of the Roman Fort ‘Galava’, the later middle ages saw the growth in the wool industry, then the inevitable decline, with some trade in slate and due to its location, market commerce. Ambleside’s location helped it to develop early as a tourist destination, particularly with the building of the intriguing Bridge House (now in the hands of the National Trust). From a population of 538 in 1801, it has grown to 2,800 mainly on the back of tourism.

Ambleside is the starting point for many famous Lake District walks, including Fairfield Horseshoe, Loughrigg and Wansfell. With its off-shoot, ‘Waterhead’, lake cruises on Windermere take customers to Bowness-on-Windermere and Lakeside.