Local Tourist Information
Ambleside is situated in the very heart of the English Lake District and the main access route from both North and South is via the A591. Motorway access from the South is at Junction 36 and from the North, Junction 40. Kirkstone Pass to the East leads to the tranquil waters of Ullswater whilst Coniston, Hawkshead and the Western fells are accessed via the A593. When you arrive at Freshfields, if coming by rail, the nearest station is Windermere where bus and taxis are available in the station forecourt to bring you through to Ambleside.
ACTIVITIES:
We have information sheets and suggested routes available for either walking or touring in the surrounding countryside and will always be delighted to offer help and advice in planning your day, ensuring that your stay with us is a happy and memorable one.
After experiencing airport delays and disastrous foreign holidays many people are once again looking to the Lake District as a main holiday location. The ideas below give a taste of the endless choices available in the National Park, contradicting the view that the Lake District is just for the walker or climber.
NATURE AND BIRD LIFE:
The water and woodland in the near vicinity of Ambleside provides a broad variety of bird and wildlife. We are centrally located for several RSPB sites; Leighton Moss where the elusive Bittern is to be found as well as the nesting Marsh Harrier, the Solway Estuary and Hodbarrow nr. Millom, which is an important site for nesting Terns. Each of these RSPB reserves as well as Morecambe Bay with its renowned numbers of wading birds are all within comfortable driving distance of Freshfields as too is the nesting site of the Osprey at Bassenthwaite. The wonderful natural annual displays of daffodils followed then by rhododendrons and azaleas attract many visitors in Spring. Deer, Badgers and the occasional Red Squirrel are also to be found. There are also five sites of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
STATELY HOMES, HICTORIC HOUSES AND GARDENS:
Holker Hall, Muncaster and Sizergh Castles, Levens Hall and Brantwood immediately come to mind all providing interest at different times of the year. Hayes Garden Centre has a national reputation and the home of the Lake District Horticultural Society at Holehird enjoys an extremely high reputation. Stagshaw Garden, owned by the National Trust contains a notable collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias and is open April, May and June.
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS:
Brantwood, as mentioned above, was for many years the home of John Ruskin 1819-1900. Much of his work, both literary and art, perhaps inspired by the beautiful location of his home overlooking Coniston Water, are to be found at Brantwood which is open all year. Perhaps best known of all the Lake District poets, William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth but lived the majority of his life in Grasmere and finally at Rydal Mount in Rydal village, one mile from Ambleside. All his homes are open to the public and he is buried in Grasmere churchyard. He was for a time the postmaster in Ambleside. The home of Beatrix Potter was Hill Top, Sawrey, near Hawkshead, this house is open to the public April to October except Thursday and Friday and close by, the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead houses some of the original illustrations of Peter Rabbit and Friends.
Zefferelli's Cinema with four screens provides a good choice of films all the year round and the new Keswick Theatre has staged some wonderful performances throughout the last few years. One of the highlights of the musical year is the Ambleside Music Festival staged at various venues in the area for three weeks from the beginning of August with high calibre performances and master classes.
ANNUAL EVENTS:
For the craft and gardening enthusiast the three day Ambleside Flower Show in August, now held in Grasmere, is not to be missed, or their earlier event, the Spring Flower Show. The Ambleside Sports Day in August is steeped in tradition with events such as Cumberland wrestling, hound trailing, fell and grass track running all creating a fascinating afternoons entertainment. Fell races take place throughout the area. Enthusiasts of One Man and his Dog would enjoy the Ambleside Sheepdog Trials also in August. The RAF weekend at Bowness late in July usually includes a visit by the Red Arrows giving a spectacular display over the lake.
OUTDOORS:
The Lakeland Hills are known as Fells. The best known fells surrounding Ambleside are Wansfell Pike 1450 feet, Loughrigg Fell 1099 feet and the Fairfield Horseshoe, all of which provide exhilarating walks of varying degrees of effort. Far more sedate is the delightful walk from Freshfields along the riverside through the Rydal Valley to Rydal Water and continuing on to Grasmere. There are many other walks too numerous to detail here but we have printed directions available on request. The National Cycle Way is getting ever close to Ambleside and we are more than happy to provide cycle storage or alternatively cycles can be hired in the village.
Locally, boat hire, water sports, mountain biking, pony trekking, fishing, crown green bowling, tennis and mini golf are also available.
CHURCH SERVICES:
Church of England, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist and Quaker Churches are all active in Ambleside.
There is no doubt you would have difficulty fitting everything into a week's holiday or even two! but we look forward to welcoming you to Freshfields, be it for your main holiday or just a short break. |
