Our next walking will be on

Saturday 11th September

and will be from 

Ambleside, Cumbria

Ambleside, at the head of Windermere and the foot of the
Kirkstone Pass, lies in the very heart of the Lake District,
with easy access to Grasmere, Keswick, Windermere
and the Langdales. A vibrant, busy town, surrounded
by magnificent Lakeland fells, it is the ideal location for
a rural break. Although Ambleside has its roots in the
medieval woollen trade, it is predominantly a Victorian
town, built of dark grey slate.

Ambleside’s history reaches back at least as far as Roman
times. At nearby Waterhead the Romans built a stone fort on
a trade route through South Lakeland (now in Borrans Field).
Medieval Ambleside had a thriving woollen industry centred on
the fast flowing Stock Ghyll which powered the fulling mills
that pounded the newly woven cloth. When the town was
granted a market charter in 1650, the Market Place became the
commercial centre for agriculture and the wool trade. The 17th
and 18th centuries were a major period of rebuilding, initiated by
yeoman farmers and landowners made wealthy by the profits of
the woollen trade. Many houses date from this period, notably
at the pretty village of Troutbeck nearby. One particularly fine
example, Townend 1 , is owned by the National Trust (open
March–October).

The iconic Bridge House 2 is a tiny house over Stock Beck
in the centre of the town and one of the most photographed
buildings in the Lake District. Originally built as an apple store
by the Braithwaites of Ambleside Hall in 1723, the building is
now owned by the National Trust and is open daily from Easter
to October.

As a gateway to the spectacular Langdale Valley, Ambleside is
deservedly popular, both with leisure visitors wanting a relaxing
break and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a challenge. The town
offers easy access to a range of water sports, walks, climbs
and cycle routes, and has plenty of great pubs and cafés. It
also has a wonderful literary and artistic heritage, which can be
explored in the town’s galleries and museum.

Ambleside’s specialist retailers offer everything from outdoor
clothing to interior design. Other shops specialise in unique pieces
inspired by the landscape, including slate ornaments, watercolour
paintings and pottery – look out for the Made in Cumbria logo,

which shows you are supporting local craftspeople.

More information about Ambleside here;

We last visited Ambleside in September 2007

There will be three walks;

• A Walk led by; Jenny Matthias
• B Walk led by; Keith Scott
• C Walk led by; Joan and Shirley

Walking at Ambleside


Tourist Board Site on Ambleside


Weather Forecast for Ambleside here:

A Walk at Ambleside

Walk Leader: Jenny Mathias

Total Distance: 9 mls

Total Ascent/Descent: 2700ft

The walk out of Ambleside is a steady climb to the summit of Red Screes at 2546ft. We start gently at first following Scandale Beck to its source just under Red Screes. If we get a clear day the views are spectacular all the way around. (On the recce we saw many of the fells and lakes.)
 

The climb down follows a ridge and for the most part it is a steady downhill path! We come out onto the Kirkstone Pass Road. It is a lovely walk but a good pace will be neede to ensure time for a cup of tea at the end.




More photographs taken by a member on this walk in February 2008

B Walk at Ambleside

Walk Leader: Keith Scott

Total Distance: 9 miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 1000ft

click on map/pictures to enlarge

A scenic route around both Rydal Water and Grasmere involving a few gentle gradients. The route covers walking along public roads at times and some rough surfaces, but with very little mud hopefully!

We pass some interesting sites, including Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's home for some time, Rydal Mount, where he lived almost half his lifetime and St Oswalds Church, Grasmere where Wordsworth is buried.

Much of Lakeland has changed since Wordsworth's time to destroy the rural peace of this Lakeland valley, however this walk, at least in parts, helps to recapture the sense of that more tranquil past.

C Walk at Ambleside

Walk Leader: Joan Hilton and Shirley Fairnie

Total Distance: 5/6 miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 900ft approx

click on pictures and map to enlarge

When Shirley and I recce'd this walk it was a glorious day and the views were stunning and well worth the ½ mile ascent and there is plenty of time to take in the scenery and there are no stiles!!

The path then becomes a pleasant track as it makes its undulating way to High Sweden Bridge. 

Our lunch stop here is beside the babbling stream with the parapet-less bridge spanning Scandale Beck. 

The gradual descent takes us back to Ambleside and a chance to visit this charming old Market Town and sample some of the gastronomic delights.

Sweden Bridge acquired its name from the nearby Sweden Crag and in this instance is derived from an old Norse word Svfthinn meaning ‘land cleared by burning’
 

Photographs taken on the Castleton Walk

Looking up to the summit of MamTor

But its down to Edale first

walking along the ridge

Les has arranged a half way stop

Gareth seems to have lost his party as he descends the Limestone Way

and past Peveral Castle up above.

A group shot near the end of the walk

and they have actually walked past this lovely building!

The above are the A Party Walk, and below are some from the B Party Walk

Do you really think it is possible to climb that?

 John shows the way to Loose Hill summit

 Sheltering from the wind at our lunch stop

At the toposhere on the summit of Loose Hill

On top of MamTor admiring the view

and here we are back in the village with John leading the way.


and here is one from the C Party Walk.

Are we lost or should we return to the tea room. Perhaps we ought to elect a new leader?