Ambleside Information

Staying in Ambleside is a great decision if you want to make your Lake District holiday pleasant and stress free. Apart from the abundance of accommodation in Ambleside, you will find loads of really good outdoor shops and of course the cafes, restaurants and pubs in Ambleside are well known for their excellence. Ambleside has also a lot of good grocery shops.
Grocery:
There are four grocery shops in Ambleside. Granny Smith is a delicatessen where you can find the best fruit and vegetables in town. It is situated on the main Lake Rd, just next to Barclays bank (opening times 9am - 5.30pm).
Across the road from Granny Smith's we have Tesco (6am-11pm), and on Church street, just after you go round the Market Place, you can find Spar (7am-10pm) and Co-op.
Pharmacies:
We have two pharmacies in Ambleside, Bell's on Lake Rd, just when you enter the town and Boots in the center, on Church St, opposite Spar. They both usually work until 5.30pm. In case of emergency, you can find some over the counter medicine in Tesco (until 11pm) and Spar (until 10pm)
Ambleside Surgery:
In case you need to see a doctor, Ambleside Group Practice is situated on the right hand side of Rydal Rd, just before you go out of the town heading to Grasmere. Opening times 8.30 - 6pm. Tel: 015394 32693; out of office hours, please ring: 03000 247 247 (emergencies). If you need an optician, Ambleside Opticians is next to The Giggling Goose cafe on Rydal Rd.
Parking in Ambleside:
Parking in Ambleside is difficult. We have two big paid parkings in the town - one opposite the Library and near the main bus stop on Kelsick Rd, and a second one at the opposite end of the town on Rydal Rd.
Information centres in Ambleside:
The Tourist Information centre and Post office in Ambleside is opposite the Market Cross. We have also a nice library on Kelsick Rd (opposite the main bus stop) where you can also use a computer if you need to.
Banks in Ambleside:
Barclays bank - opposite Market Cross
NatWest - on Lake Rd
Cumberland Building society - on Lake Rd
Takeaways in Ambleside:
Most restaurants in Ambleside have their last food orders at 9pm. If you want some proper food in Ambleside after 9 pm you can check the new Pizza Place Ambleside, a wide variety of pizzas and burgers with delivery from 5pm to 12.30am. Tested and approved by local people and tourists from  the UK and all over the world!
Bike Hire in Ambleside:
Exploring the Lake District by bike is a great alternative to walking. You can hire a bike in Ambleside from Ghyllside Cycles which is situated just accross the road from Zeffirellis cinema. You can check their price list here.
Family Activities in Ambleside:
We have two lovely parks in Ambleside - Rothay Park in the centre of Ambleside and next to Brathey River and Borrans Park near Waterhead pier. There is a really good playground in Rothay Park. You can play tennis or mini golf at White Platt Recreation Ground on Compston Rd and if it rains, we have an indoors playground just further down the road - Rufty Tuftys. For the more adventurous Ambleside Climbing Wall & Cave offers lots of challenges and excitement.