Ambleside
Ambleside, set at the head of Lake Windermere, is one of
the most popular towns in the Lake District, blessed with charming side streets and
beautiful surrounding scenery. The original market square and its associated buildings were
redeveloped during the Victorian era, and the market cross is all that remains. Today's
Ambleside has many shops which cater for the visitor, mostly offering climbing, hiking and
general 
outdoor activity clothing and accessories.
Most of Ambleside's buildings are made of local green-grey slate which provides the unique appearance of towns and villages in Lakeland. One of the most delightful and notable buildings is the 17th century century Bridge House, a tiny dwelling of two rooms connected by an exterior stone staircase, which proudly straddles Stock Ghyll atop a stone arch. It is thought to have been built as a summer house and apple store for Ambleside Hall. Now a National Trust information centre, Bridge House was, in the mid 19th century, home to a chair repairer and his six children.
Ambleside is rich in history and dates back to the early days of the Roman occupation of Britain, circa AD80. The Romans entered the Lake District in order to subdue the warlike native Brigantes. It was in Ambleside that they built Fort Galava around AD100-120, the remains of which can still be seen just south of the town in Borran's Field, Waterhead. Following the withdrawl of the Romans around AD400, Ambleside remained in the Dark Ages until the arrival of the Vikings around 500 years later. In 1650 the town was granted a market charter, and during the Victorian era Ambleside began to establish a tourist trade as a result of interest generated by the Lake Poets, particularly William Wordsworth - St. Mary's Church, with its impressive rocket-like spire, contains a chapel dedicated to Wordsworth.
Due to the close proximity of the popular fells of Fairfield and the Langdale Pikes, Ambleside is an ideal base for walkers and climbers.