GRASMERE VILLAGE (11 min drive)

About 4 miles north of Ambleside lies pretty Grasmere and Dove Cottage, where William Wordsworth once lived.

You can visit the local church which dates back to the 13th century, St Oswald’s and see Wordsworth’s final resting place.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Sir Walter Scott were also drawn to beautiful
Grasmere and spent time here. Wordsworth lived at Rydal Mount for the last 37 years of his life and you can also visit this house.

Just next door to the local church is Grasmere’s famous Gingerbread shop- queues at peak times are understandable once you have tasted this treat.

As with all the towns and villages in the Lakes, there are many walks catering for all abilities around Grasmere. One of the most well known is Helm Crag or ‘The Lion and the Lamb’. You can walk the original path from Ambleside to Grasmere – the Rydal Coffin Route. Rydal Cave, just above Rydal Water is a man made cave built to provide slate for local villages.

It’s not surprising that Wordsworth described Grasmere and Rydal as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”

WINDERMERE AND BOWNESS

Ambleside sits at the north end of Windermere, England’s largest lake. About 5 miles south of Ambleside and half way down the lake is the busy town of the same name.

Windermere is home to Lakeland’s flagship homestore and just next door is the Oxenholme to Windermere Rail Station. Next door to the station is a larger Booths supermarket.

There is lots to see and do in Windermere including the famous Orrest Head hike. This was the first summit hiked by Alfred Wainwright and on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views across the Lakes.

Just a mile and half away from Windermere you’ll find the town of Bowness on the shore of Lake Windermere. It is one of the Lakes most popular tourist attractions with visitors enjoying sailing, watersports, hiking, horse riding and cycling. You can also hire a rowing boat or take a pleasure cruise on
one of the Steamers.

Bowness is of course also home to the popular World of Beatrix Potter attraction.

KESWICK

Heading north from Ambleside on the A591, you pass Thirlmere, a pretty lake with a woodland shoreline, which provides water for Manchester. Following rising water levels in 1879, two lakes became one and were renamed ‘Thirlmere’.

If you continue heading north past Thirlemere, you’ll arrive at the Lakes most
northerly town, Keswick on Derwent Water. A thriving town with its own ‘Theatre by the Lake’ there is much to enjoy here. There is a flat walk around Derwent Water and Catbells is also accessible to most walkers.

For more adventurous hikers, Skiddaw and Blencathra are more challenging.

The scenery around Borrowdale and Buttermere Valleys is spectacular. There is a nearby stone circle, Castlerigg with amazing views towards Helvelyn.

HAWKSHEAD

Hawkshead village is located just north of Esthwaite water. Known as the village where Beatrix Potter bought her home, Hill Top Farm, Far Sawry. William Wordsworth also went to school in Hawkshead.

There is an excellent path (and cycle route) from Ambleside to Hawkshead. Follow the Rothay Road out over the Rothay Bridge and after about a mile turn left towards Hawkshead where you can pick up the path at the River Brathay.

You can explore Grizedale Forest from Hawkshead, either on foot or mountain bike. Wray Castle, just 3 miles from Hawkshead, is a Gothic revival castle owned by the National Trust.

CONISTON

Heading south west from Ambleside, the lovely village of Coniston can be found to the west of Coniston Water. At 5 miles/8km long it is one of England’s largest lakes.

The most popular hike for tourists is ‘The Old Man of Coniston’ at 803 metres. On your walk you’ll see lots of evidence of Coniston’s history of copper
mining and slate quarrying.

For many, Coniston is known as the place where Donald Campbell lost his life attempting to push his existing Water Speed record of 276mph to 300 mph on 4th January 1967. His Bluebird K7 has recently been restored to its former glory and can be viewed at the John Ruskin museum.

The John Ruskin Museum tells the story of Coniston including displays about Arthur Ransome, author of the children’s adventure tales, Swallows and Amazons.

LANGDALE VALLEY

The famous Langdale Valley is perfect for spectacular views and high fell walking where you can enjoy the outline of Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and the majestic Langdale Pikes. All levels of walking can be catered for
with an easily accessible circular route around Blea Tarn.

Sizergh Castle is a 1600 acre estate and medieval manor filled with the collections of the Strickland family. There’s a café and shop here as well.

LAKESIDE AND NEWBY BRIDGE

At the south end of Windermere you can find Lakeside, home to the Lakes Aquarium and Haverthwaite Steam Railway.