If you’re planning a visit to Ambleside you may wish to enjoy one of its scenic walking tours. There is a relaxing walk from A591 via Rydal Park that goes past Dove Cottage into Grasmere Village, then over the Rothay Footbridge, across the Fell and back into Ambleside. Once you’ve finished, relax at Ambleside Salutation Hotel BW Premier Collection, which is a 4-star accommodation with 2 spa tubs, full service spa, indoor pool, restaurant and bar/lounge.

For those travelers looking to indulge in a bit of luxury, the 4-star Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel in nearby Windermere has a tennis court, steam room, sauna and full service spa (including a Turkish bath) along with free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Another good choice is the Daffodil Hotel & Spa on Keswick Road, which offers free hot/cold breakfast, concierge service and a 4-room, full-service spa with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy treatments.

Ambleside is a great destination for a romantic weekend getaway where couples can enjoy sailing or cruising on Lake Windermere and enjoy the beauty of this natural lake. Linthwaite House Hotel is a lakefront property where guests can cosy up near the lobby fireplace, rent a bicycle or Segway, explore the lake environs or take in some local entertainment at Old Laundry Theatre, which is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Lake Windermere visitors can also enjoy the mountainous scenery and landscape of the Lake District National Park with its various lakes, footpaths and wildlife sanctuaries -- a fun activity for couples and families alike. Reserve a room at Wateredge Inn on Borran’s Road, which offers free full breakfast, free parking and free Wi-Fi, as well as a restaurant, bar/lounge and garden -- better yet, it is a 1-minute walk to the lake.

If you’re planning a trip for the entire family, then consider staying at at MacDonald Old England Hotel & Spa in Windermere. This hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, 24-hour room service, a children’s pool and the option for one child under 5 to stay free in the same room as their parent/guardian. The hotel is an 8-minute walk to the lake with hiking and biking trails nearby.

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Low Wood Bay on Ambleside Road is perfect for enjoying a variety of watersports including water skiing, fishing, rowing, canoeing and sailing. This 4-star accommodation also features free Wi-Fi, free parking, a garden, 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, an indoor pool and a full-service spa with a sauna and steam room. It is also a 1-minute walk to Lake Windermere and 19 minutes to Ambleside Pier.

Dove Cottage is the former home of English poet William Wordsworth, and Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Ambleside. The Wordsworth Hotel and Spa at Grasmere is a 10-minute walk from Dove Cottage and features an indoor pool, health club, steam room, sauna, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi and free parking.

Grizedale Forest in the Lake District offers an array of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, from walking trails and cycling trails with views of the surrounding lake and mountains to zip wires and outdoor sculptures. Staying at Rothay Manor Hotel will put you within 3.8 miles of the forest and includes free Wi-Fi, free parking, a garden, 2 bars/lounges, a restaurant and laundry facilities.

The Old Courthouse Gallery features contemporary arts and crafts including wall art, glass, ceramics, metalwork and jewelry for the intrepid collector or the casual souvenir shopper. The MacDonald Swan Hotel lies about 3 miles from the heart of downtown Ambleside and offers free Wi-Fi, free parking, a restaurant, bar/lounge, 24-hour reception and laundry facilities.