Visit Ambleside

The town of Ambleside and things to do.

Wordsworth
Dove Cottage was home to the Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and his family for 8½ years (1799-1808). Here Wordsworth wrote many of his most famous poems. There are many ideas associated with ‘Romantic’ poetry, but one of the most important for Wordsworth was to show the link between human experience and the natural world. Wordsworth loved and drew inspiration from this landscape of the Lake District, his home. Today we hope that the importance of place has been retained: that interacting with Wordsworth’s work, in the place it was created, allows the freshness of the original inspiration to live.

Rydalmount
Beloved home of William Wordsworth, Rydal Mount is a lovely house set in extensive gardens landscaped by the poet himself with terraces, rare shrubs and magnificent views. The house, Wordsworth’s home from 1813 until his death in 1850, contains family portraits and personal possessions. Groups can enjoy evening poetry readings by appointment.

Windermere lakecruises
Windermere is the largest lake in England, 10.5 miles long and 200 ft deep in places.

The ship was built of wood with a short bowspit. The tall slim funnel, placed aft of the paddle boxes, was painted black with a broad white stripe. The band of the Kendal Cavalry entertained passengers on the maiden voyage to Ambleside and dancing took place on the top deck.

Richard Ashburner originally designed the vessel as a screw Steamer but the water at Newby Bridge was too shallow so she was built as a paddle Steamer to facilitate travel along the river Leven to the terminus at the Swan Hotel.

Lady of the Lake carried 200 passengers and boasted a luxurious first class saloon fitted with mirrors and carpets. Her hull was finished in black and gold with a white figurehead. She continued in service until 1865.

The Yacht Company launched a similar Steamer, Lord of the Isles in 1846. Unfortunately her career was short-lived; she was destroyed by fire in 1850 while moored at Bowness pier. The fire occurred in suspicious circumstances and the fireboys were accused of wilfully setting fire to her. The lads were locked up in Appleby Prison to await trial at the local Assize Court but the case was dismissed. The judge ruled that it was unlikely that the boys would have deliberately destroyed the vessel as by doing so they would have denied themselves work.

In 1847 a second company, the Windermere Iron Steamboat Company, was formed to run cruises in conjunction with the newly opened Kendal to Windermere Railway.

In 1849 they launched the Firefly, a 75ft long Steamer constructed by McConochie & Claude of Liverpool. She was launched with steam up at 9pm on the evening of August 1st 1849 at Low Wood near Ambleside. The boat was economical to run, required only half the crew, burnt a quarter of the coal, and was faster than her rivals.

The Windermere Iron Steamboat Company commissioned a second vessel, the Dragonfly, which was launched in November 1850. She was the largest Steamer on the lake, 95ft in length and 16.5ft in breadth.

With the arrival of the faster ships, competition between the companies began in earnest. Fares were slashed, touts were employed at the piers (later to be banned by the Bowness Local Government Board) and handbills and posters were distributed in their thousands.

The Lady of the Lake was slower than her rivals and often, when the Dragonfly passed her on the lake, the latter’s band struck up "The Girl I Left Behind", a popular song of the day, much to the amusement of those on board who hurled amiable insults at each other as they drew level.

After years of wasteful competition the two companies joined forces as the Windermere United Yacht Company in 1858.

Beatrix Potter
Step into the world of Miss Potter and experience all 23 of her magical tales, brought to life using sights, sounds and even smells.

Following a major refurbishment The World of Beatrix Potter has even more to see and do! In an indoor recreation of the Lakeland countryside you will able to...

- Call on Mrs. Tiggy-winkle in her kitchen and identify the animal clothes hanging on the washing line

- Wander into the woodland glade to meet Jemima Puddle-duck and the scary “foxy whiskered gentleman”

- Creep with Peter Rabbit through the garden and peep inside Mr McGregor’s greenhouse

There is also the chance to find out more about the fascinating life of Beatrix Potter with the “Tale of Mrs Heelis” presentation and take a walk in her footsteps with the Beatrix Potter Virtual Walks.

The World of Beatrix Potter is the only attraction licensed by the publisher of the Peter Rabbit books and includes a Beatrix Potter Emporium and Tailor of Gloucester Tea Room.

steamboat
The Lakeland Arts Trust has embarked upon an ambitious project to reawaken Windermere’s heritage of Steamboats and Classic lake craft.
The Windermere Steamboat Museum is now closed as work begins to rescue and breathe new life into this unique collection of boats, which includes rare early sailing yachts, historic Victorian launches and elegant Edwardian steamers.
Find out more and keep up to date with progress on this important educational heritage project by using the links below.

Places to Visit And Things To Do in Ambleside