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Best Activities for a Rainy Day in Ambleside

THE 10 BEST Indoor Things to Do in Ambleside on a Rainy Day

Best Activities for a Rainy Day in Ambleside

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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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24 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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What travellers are saying

  • jan c
    Shrewsbury, UK557 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The gallery was very good and well worth a visit if in the area and a National Trust member but feel it is rather expensive if not. Gentlemen on door very informative so could get best out of experience. Authentic dressing of rooms. Very small areas so glad we went while quiet. Upstairs would be inaccessible to some as very narrow steep stairs. Pity had to pay for car parking too as not NT and toilets 50p to enter which isn’t visitor friendly. Classic tourist trap. Good selection shops to wander around to make visit worth the parking fee!
    Written 16 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chris U
    Sunderland, UK173 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    When I visited Wtay Castle they had an exhibition about Everest. The exhibition was located in several rooms of the castle and was interesting. I'd recommend visiting if it's still on. Other than the exhibition there was little to see. You can only access the ground floor and there are only a lldmall number of rooms. I didn't get the chance to see the grounds but they did look sizable. Going by the number of cyclists and walkers it seems popular. The 3 stars are due to limited access to the castle.
    Written 17 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cleevus
    Hue, Vietnam12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum is a rarity in that it captures authentic school life over the past few hundred years. It also has managed to keep its library intact, rather than lose it to a university library. For those interested in schools and schooling from a historic perspective, it is a brilliant museum - one of the best I've seen. The fact that William Wordsworth attended the school along with his brothers gives it added importance. We really learnt a great deal about the school, its reputation, Wordsworth and Hawkshead from our visit. The museum organisers/curators have done a great job. The fact that the school and Wordsworth have historic connections with St John's College, Cambridge gave us an added interest as we also have connections with that College.
    Written 17 September 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Malcolm
    Manchester, UK81 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Be warned, if aiming for garden world by Lakes steamer..... you'll have quite a walk!

    Just as Windermere town is a mile from the lake at Bowness, so Ambleside is a mile from the ferry terminal - quite a walk, in bad weather.

    Yes, there's a bus service, but not much else to see or do, when you alight from the boat.
    Written 6 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lucy H
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a brilliant session at Ambleside Climbing Wall on a really wet day! We booked for 6 people (4 older teens and 2 adults). We had an instructor led session with Elliott, who was fantastic! He put up with our shenanigans and was lots of fun! T We would highly recommend the session - our group had very limited climbing experience and found the session really enjoyable and left saying they would happily book on again. We would also say that it was worth spending 2 additional pounds and using their climbing shoes.
    The only thing that could be improved upon would be the fact that the cafe closed at 3pm. That was our fault for not checking cafe times! So either book an earlier slot so you get cafe and drinks or be organised and take your own drinks!
    Written 25 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • star8sky
    Cornwall, UK223 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited whilst in the Lakes, really good that it’s doggy-friendly.
    Nice place to spend an hour or so, not huge but if interested in some of the local history then worth a visit.
    Written 3 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Grasmere H
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited the Grasmere Gallery and bought a selection of stunning paintings. The choice was difficult. Tim has a great eye for wonderful art and it made for very tough decisions. In depth knowledge makes for a fascinating visit and good prices keep a smile on your face even as you leave some absolute beauties behind. I'll be back.
    Written 20 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kirsty o
    Preston, UK8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Love Old Courthouse Gallery. Barely a trip to Ambleside without popping in. Really gorgeous cards, art work & jewellery.
    Written 5 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CheshireDancingqueen
    Nantwich, UK1,095 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our ‘local’ pub whilst saying in Ambleside, it’s iconic and rightly so.

    Late afternoon when walkers have finished their day it’s packed, a little later it’s busy with locals.

    The staff are great, friendly with a touch of subtle sarcasm at times, rightly so, some of the punters ask some ridiculous questions. We happened to see their cat, a gorgeous tabby who apparently knows where the ‘squirty’ cream is kept.

    A great pub, great staff and a bit of an institution in Ambleside - an absolute must!
    Written 28 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sheona C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited the Rock Shop on 23rd October. We organised a preschool trip for thirteen 3 and 4 year olds. Nick the manager and Mel were very helpful and the children had a great time. They experienced the gem pit and the Dino den. We would recommend this as a family event. The children talked about it all day!!
    Written 28 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sarah
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We celebrated our daughters 5th birthday with a party at the chocolate Factory, what a great time! The children loved the workshop and the team really looked after the parents, nothing was too much for Andrew and the team, great communication on the run up and perfect on the day, thank you!
    Written 1 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Angela
    UK99 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent selection of the best sheepskin & reindeer rugs - and sheepskin cushions which is what I purchased - love them and an amazing price too 👍
    Written 18 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CheshireDancingqueen
    Nantwich, UK1,095 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    When in Ambleside we love a visit to this restaurant, always busy with a great vibe.

    Neither of us are vegetarian and we always find something tasty on the menu, our latest visit was no exception. To start between us we enjoyed beetroot with leaves, sun dried tomatoes, toasted seeds and tahini dressing, really good. To follow, spaghetti pomodoro, made extra spicy by adding garlic and chilli and lentil bolognaise, both hearty delicious portions. Washed down by a delightful carafe of house red and a couple of G&T’s.

    The only area that could have been slightly better was the drinks service, quite slow and an order forgotten, nothing that would cause us an issue, just something to have in mind.

    With no room for desert we were pleasantly pleased by the very reasonable bill.
    Written 23 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kingmolo
    Lancashire243 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A rainy day and we sat outside under the umbrellas. We enjoyed hot, strong coffee and later some beers and food. The cheesy chips were just £5.50 for a huge bowl. We did think that the price of the sausage barm was a tad excessive but then you are a captive audience in this quiet, peaceful location with little or no other food options around. Inside, the pub is all nooks and crannies, with log fires and a lovely atmosphere. It ticked a box for us all and we will call in again if we find ourselves in this area.
    Written 18 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sazzledazzlethem
    Durham, UK35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place is UNREAL!
    We love a good spa this spa topped all spa's I have attended so far.
    From the minute you walk through the doors, you are emersed into an experience like no other.
    Your journey starts, with a selection of fragranced salts all specifically designed for your own relaxing experience. You are provided with gowns and slippers.
    You are taken on a 12 point thermic experience from salt steam rooms to herbal saunas. The infinity, hydro-pool is lovely, especially lovely when it is winter and cold outside. You can easily spend the day here, there are some lovely soft relaxing beds to retreat to and the deli, offers some refreshing drinks and foods which you can enjoy in your robes.
    The spa host was very accomodating and the settings immaculately clean.
    We have a trip booked for February 2024 and we look forward to returning.
    Written 10 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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