| Ambleside Attractions |
| |
 |
Stagshaw Gardens
This woodland garden, covering about 8 acres, was created by the late Cubby Acland, who was regional agent for the National Trust until his retirement in 1973. There are fine collections of rhododendrons and azaleas, ericaceous trees and shrubs, including magnolias, camelias and embothriums.
About half of the area is on very steep hillside, riven by ridges and valleys down one of which cascades a woodland beck with small waterfalls. There are splendid views over Windermere. |
 |
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum
Dove Cottage in Grasmere was William Wordsworth 's home from 1799 to 1808. Here Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry, and his sister Dorothy kept her famous journals.
The Wordsworth Trust was founded in 1891 to secure Dove Cottage. The Trustees have built an award-winning museum, opened in 1981, which together with the Wordsworth Library houses what is one of the greatest collections of manuscripts, books and paintings relating to British Romanticism. |
 |
Armitt Gallery Museum and Library
Like its name, the Armitt combines the functions of a library and museum. Located in Ambleside, it houses the Armitt Collection, made up of art, archaeology, archives, books, geology, photography, and local history. It's a resource with much information. The art collection showcases a little known side of Beatrix Potter-a collection of 400 drawings and painting of fungi and other botanical plants. Other painters of the Lake District are represented in the collection. |
 |
Hill Top
Beatrix Potter's house, and inspiration for many of her tales, Hill Top remains as she left it. Each room contains something that appeared in her books. Beatrix valued the house and its contents highly and when she died she left Hill Top to the National Trust, to open it to the public, on the condition that the house was kept with all her belongings in place.
The house has been open to visitors for the last 60 years, so enthusiasts can learn more about the 'real' Miss Potter by visiting her beloved Hill Top. |
 |
Bridge House
Bridge House is possibly the most photographed building in the Lake District, and a popular subject for many artists including Turner. A tiny building, originally an apple store for nearby Ambleside Hall, was built over Stock Beck to escape land tax. In 1926 it was purchased by a group of local people who passed it into the care of the National Trust , which 20 years later they turned into their first information and recruitment centre. |
 |
Ambleside Roman Fort
Managed by the National Trust in association with English Heritage, this site houses the well-marked remains of Ambleside Roman Fort. The fort was built in the 2nd Century and had large granaries, the foundations of which are still clear to see. It is suspected by historians that the fort was built under the rule of Hadrian to guard the Roman road from Brougham to Ravenglass. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
For six months from November 2003, the Waterhead Hotel underwent a £2.7 million refurbishment and extension to become the Lake District's first four star Townhouse Hotel. Stay in bedrooms with the most modern, yet user friendly, equipment, including CD/DVD players and flat screen TVs in all bedrooms. Whilst the Waterhead's facilities have been transformed, what has remained is the relaxing Lakeside setting and superlative views over Waterhead Bay with its backdrop of Wetherlam fell and Coniston Old Man.
|
|
|
|
|
Family owned and run luxury B&B in heart of the Lake District. Private car parking, own grounds, stunning views of surrounding hills. Central location to Ambleside village and Lake Windermere as well as many tourist attractions. King size four posters and spa baths available. Family rooms/extra beds available.
|
|
|
|
