Cottages in Ambleside

Where the cottages are

BritStays lists 119 cottages in and around Ambleside in Cumbria, and most of them are in the town itself. 96 are listed under Ambleside. The rest are spread thinly across nearby areas:

• Hawkshead and Near and Far Sawrey: 7
• Grasmere and the Langdale Valley: 7
• Coniston and Grizedale: 4
• Lowick: 3
• Glenridding and Southern Ullswater: 1
• Carlisle: 1

If you want shops, cafés and buses on your doorstep, Ambleside gives you by far the widest choice. If you want somewhere quieter, such as Hawkshead and Near and Far Sawrey, Grasmere and the Langdale Valley, or Coniston and Grizedale, there are only a handful of options in each. You'll need to be flexible on dates or decide early. This is countryside rather than a seaside stay, and none of the cottages here are described as coastal. If a beach is a must, look at a different region.

Matching a cottage to your trip

The example stays give a good idea of the range in Ambleside, from snug places for two to houses for a crowd.

Couples: The Hollies, Little Nook and Garden Cottage each sleep 2. All three are near a bus stop, so you could leave the car parked for a few days.

Families and groups: Most of the examples sleep 4, including Applewood, Croft Cottage, Shambles Cottage, Scot Beck Cottage and Church Street. These suit a family of four or two couples. For more people, Rolton House sleeps 6, Bramblebank sleeps 8 and Waterhead Studio sleeps 10. Larger cottages are much less common than four-berth ones, so groups should start looking first.

Dog owners: This is where you need to be realistic. Only 3 of the 119 cottages are marked pet friendly. Among the examples, those are Rivers Edge (sleeps 4), Mallards (sleeps 4) and Garden Cottage (sleeps 2). With so few to choose from, a holiday with your dog here takes early planning. Always confirm the details with the owner, such as how many dogs are allowed and any extra charge.

Getting around: buses and EV charging

Two facilities come up again and again. 91 cottages are near a bus stop, and 98 have EV charging nearby. If you drive an electric car, you have plenty of choice. Still, check whether the charger is shared or public, and whether you can rely on it overnight. If you'd rather not drive at all, the bus access means many cottages work well for a car-light break. Steppingstones Riverside Terrace - Viewpoint is listed with EV charging nearby but not a bus stop, so check the transport details on each listing rather than assuming.

Things to do once you're there

For a gentle heritage day, there are three landmarks to choose from:

• Wray Castle
• Bridge House, run by the National Trust
• Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop, also National Trust

For active families, The Lakes Aqua Park is the obvious pick in warmer weather.

For rainy days, there are several museums and a wildlife centre:

• Keswick Museum & Art Gallery
• Knox Wood Wildlife Centre
• West Cumberland Railway Museum
• Eskdale Mill

Some attractions make a longer day out. Judges' Lodgings Museum and the Laurel and Hardy Museum are in Morecambe, and Killhope Lead Mining Museum is in County Durham. Check journey times and opening hours before you set off, as we don't list them here.

When to book

We can't give you exact dates or prices, but the numbers point to some clear rules of thumb:

• Bringing a dog? Book as early as you can. Three pet-friendly cottages won't go far in busy weeks.
• Big group? Cottages for 8 or 10, like Bramblebank and Waterhead Studio, are scarce. Secure one before you fix travel plans.
• Want to stay outside Ambleside? Places like Lowick or Coniston and Grizedale have only a few cottages each, so set up alerts or be ready to switch to the town.
• Couples or families of four have the most choice, so you can usually afford to be a little more flexible.

Before you pay, read each listing for how many it sleeps, the pet policy, bus access and charging, and message the owner with any questions. In school holidays especially, it pays to book well ahead.