Nearby Keswick is at the heart of the Lake District with scores of attractions. Here is a small selection near at hand:

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Ambleside is connected with many well known characters, including John Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and Harwicke Rawnsley.

• Armitt library and museum which brings to life famous people inspired by the Lake District: fp.armitt.plus.com
• Gift and outdoor shopping
• Zefferelli's cinema and pizzaria (including both blockbuster and arthouse films):
  www.zeffirellis.co.uk
• Stock Ghyll Force - a spectacular 70 foot waterfall with its carpet of daffodils in the Spring
• Bridge House - one of the most photographed scenes in the Lake District
• Superb cafes, pubs and restaurants serving high quality meals (no visit to Ambleside is complete without an hour spent at Lucy's on a Plate).
• Windermere Lake Cruises - ferries can be taken from Ambleside to Bowness and Lakeside: www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
• Numerous galleries and studios
• Hundreds more walks

Grasmere, a charming village in the centre of the Lake District, beloved of Wordsworth who worte of its lake, "the most loveliest spot that man hath found".

Hawkshead is still the same tiny village of higgledy-piggledy houses, archways, and squares beloved by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Cars are banned from the village, but there is a large car park on the outskirts.

• Beatrix Potter Gallery
• Car ferry to Windermere and Bowness
• Nearby Grisedale forest with its woodland walks & bike trails and its forest sculptures
• Hundreds more walks

The Old Man of Coniston, rises dramatically behind the houses when seen from Coniston village. The village itself is a good centre for walkers and climbers, and those wanting to investigate the Tilberthwaite Slate quarries. Donald Campbell broke the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1955, and was killed attempting to regain it again in 1967.

• John Ruskin's home - Brantwood: www.brantwood.org.uk
• The Ruskin Museum Lakeside launches (a superb way to reach Brantwood)
• Cycling round the lake Rowing on the lake
• Tarn Hows - one the of the Lake District's most famous beauty spots
• Coniston Brewing Company, makers of 'Bluebird Bitter', CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 1998: www.conistonbrewery.com
• Spoon Hall Pony Trekking Centre
• Summitreks Adventure Services - Licensed Adventure Activities including rock climbing, abseiling, aquasailing, canoeing, mountain biking: www.summitreks.co.uk
• Paragliding School
• Fishing (licence needed)
• Shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants
• Hundreds more walks