Things To Do in Ambleside in The Rain

Indoor Attractions

• The Armitt Museum
• Ambleside Climbing Wall
• Zefferelli’s & Fellini’s Cinema

Popular ways to stay dry

• Restaurants and cafes
• Outdoor gear shops
• Independent food and drink shops
• Cosy pubs and more.

Filled with everything from Roman objects to Beatrix Potter’s exquisite fungi watercolours, an extensive library of mountaineering literature to a major collection of the late German avant-garde artist, and Ambleside resident, Kurt Schwitters’ art, plus a huge library of local photography, the Armitt Museum is dedicated to preserving the social history of Ambleside and its place in the Lake District.

Well worth a visit (even if it’s not raining!), this fascinating museum and gallery hosts regularly changing exhibitions and has been an Ambleside institution since 1912.

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Rydal Rd
Ambleside
LA22 9BL

Map >

If it’s just a bit too wet and wild to get out on the fells proper, fear not – a trip to Ambleside Climbing Wall will help you get your climbing fix.

There are routes suitable for all levels, including taster sessions for novices and more challenging routes (which change regularly) for experienced summit-seekers, a bouldering area, and a tall, roped wall for you to get to grips with too.

All the gear you need is provided, and the friendly and experienced staff will ensure your safety. When you’re done, there’s a café upstairs where you can watch the climbers and look out at the fells you can get to another time.

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101 Lake Rd
Ambleside
LA22 0DB

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Ambleside is blessed with not one but three independent cinemas, showing a wide range of films and live or recorded opera, theatre and ballet performances. And a brace of rather splendid vegetarian restaurants play major supporting roles too.

Zefferelli’s show mostly mainstream releases on their four screens (two at Zefferelli’s and two at Zefferelli’s by the Park), has a jazz bar that features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, plus a renowned Italian-inspired vegetarian restaurant.

While Fellini’s single screen focuses mainly on independent and arthouse films, which you can mull over the meaning of in the ‘vegeterranean’ restaurant. Action!  

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2 Compston Rd
Ambleside
LA22 9DJ

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You don’t have to walk far in Ambleside in search of something delicious to eat. The restaurants and cafes are plentiful.

From simple toasties to Michelin-starred extravagance and everything in between, you can find it all in this bustling Lake District hot-spot.

We’ve rounded up a few
of our favourite places for
you to try on your next visit.

There’s no shortage of pubs in Ambleside to get a thirst-quenching drink or a hunger-busting meal after a day’s exertion on the fells, a cruise on the lake, or an exhausting session at the shops.

Here’s our pick of the
best spots to relax and
unwind in before you head
back to your holiday cottage.

Ambleside is a shopping paradise for climbers, walkers, and intrepid adventurers of all ages and abilities – so whatever brand you’re looking for, whatever piece of clothing or equipment you need, you can get yourself kitted out for everything the great outdoors can throw at you in one of the numerous outdoor shops dotted throughout the town. Let the adventures begin.

Overflowing with outdoor shops, whatever brand you’re looking for, whatever piece of clothing or equipment you need, you’ll find it!

As well as all the outdoor shops you can find in Ambleside, there’s a wide range of other independent shops to discover, selling everything from locally sourced food and drink and unique local gifts to everyday essentials, and even anything you might need for your four-legged friends to enjoy their Lake District adventures too.

As well as all the outdoor shops you can find in Ambleside, there’s a wide range of other independent shops to discover.