The Bridge House, Ambleside
Ranked #2,534 in Travel & Places, #83,781 overall
The Bridge House Ambleside- a very curious building.
Bridge House is in the centre of the Lake District village of Ambleside . The Bridge House is a very odd little building.
As you can see, the Bridge House built on a little bridge over a stream ( or "beck" as streams are called in the Lake District")
To lots of people, the Bridge house is the symbol of Ambleside, and a photo the Bridge House or a Bridge House souvenir is an essential reminder of their vacation.
As a child, I had a silver charm bracelet ( anyone else remember these?), to which I added little silver items , given to me on special occassions, that had a symbolic meaning for me. One of my "charms" was of the Bridge House Ambleside, bought for me by my parents as a reminder of lots of happy vacations in the Lake District as a child.One of the favorite Lake District activities is a visit to Bridge House Ambleside.
I'm taking a look at this funny little building, the Bridge House Ambleside, and the area around the Bridge House.
As you can see, the Bridge House built on a little bridge over a stream ( or "beck" as streams are called in the Lake District")
To lots of people, the Bridge house is the symbol of Ambleside, and a photo the Bridge House or a Bridge House souvenir is an essential reminder of their vacation.
As a child, I had a silver charm bracelet ( anyone else remember these?), to which I added little silver items , given to me on special occassions, that had a symbolic meaning for me. One of my "charms" was of the Bridge House Ambleside, bought for me by my parents as a reminder of lots of happy vacations in the Lake District as a child.One of the favorite Lake District activities is a visit to Bridge House Ambleside.
I'm taking a look at this funny little building, the Bridge House Ambleside, and the area around the Bridge House.
When and why was the Bridge House Ambleside built?
The Bridge House Ambleside has a long history
Bridge House, is a tiny stone-built house in Ambleside, in England's Lake District, in the county of Cumbria. Ambleside is halfway between Windermere and Grasmere. The pretty lake of Rydal Water is also nearby.
It was built in the 16th Century, and it is thought that this piece of land was part of an apple orchard owned by Ambleside Hall, which is long since demolished. It may have been used as an apple store.
The Bridge House was probably built on a bridge to avoid tax- as it was over water, its owner could avoid land tax- an early form of tax evasion!
Later it was used as a shop, and at some point, its seems a family of eight lived there!
Visitors find this amazing- it reminds them of the nursery ryhme, " the old woman who lived in a shoe" as it is a very tiny space for anyone to live in, let alone 8 people..
In 1926 it was bought by locals and handed to the National Trust. A couple of decades later it became the Trust's first information centre, and it still houses a National Trust information point, and you can join the National Trust there.
It was built in the 16th Century, and it is thought that this piece of land was part of an apple orchard owned by Ambleside Hall, which is long since demolished. It may have been used as an apple store.
The Bridge House was probably built on a bridge to avoid tax- as it was over water, its owner could avoid land tax- an early form of tax evasion!
Later it was used as a shop, and at some point, its seems a family of eight lived there!
Visitors find this amazing- it reminds them of the nursery ryhme, " the old woman who lived in a shoe" as it is a very tiny space for anyone to live in, let alone 8 people..
In 1926 it was bought by locals and handed to the National Trust. A couple of decades later it became the Trust's first information centre, and it still houses a National Trust information point, and you can join the National Trust there.
The National Trust looks after the Bridge House, Ambleside
The National Trust manages lots of land and buidling in the Lake District, including the Bridge House , Ambleside.
Membership of the National Trust gives free entry to properties all over the UK., and there are reciprocal arrangements for members from other countries of their own national trusts.
Here is the National Trust website- look here for lots of helpful information .
Membership of the National Trust gives free entry to properties all over the UK., and there are reciprocal arrangements for members from other countries of their own national trusts.
Here is the National Trust website- look here for lots of helpful information .
- The National Trust
- The main page of the National Trust website.Information on all the National Trust properties in England. Statley homes, parks, gardens, castles- take a look at what the National Trust offers.
Where to eat and drink near the Bridge House Ambelside
Three great places to eat and drink near the Bridge House, Ambleside
In the background of this photo of the Bridge House you can see The Glass House Restaurant. Build from an old flax mill, this is a beautiful restuarant for lunch or dinner.
The Apple Pie bakery and cafe is just a few steps away from the Bridge House, and the Golden Rule pub is just up the road, Smithy Brow, opposite the Bridge House. Ambleside
The Apple Pie bakery and cafe is just a few steps away from the Bridge House, and the Golden Rule pub is just up the road, Smithy Brow, opposite the Bridge House. Ambleside
- The Apple Pie Ambleside
- Great bakery and cafe. Scrumptious cakes, breads, pies, sandwiches, anything baked you like- all made on the premises.
The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating area, or you can buy a pie, quiche, slice of something, to take away for a picnic.
The Fieldings have run this splendid bakery for many years. - Glass House Restaurant Ambleside
- This interesting old mill conversion is a great restaurant. It was featured in the very first series of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares! The owner, Neil, had no idea of the title of this programme, or the format- he learnt the hard way, as those of you who have seen the show will know.
However, the publicity was brilliant, and this lovely restaurant is always busy now! - The Golden Rule Ambleside
- Traditional no nonsense pub just up the hill from the Bridge House., run for many years by Margaret and John Lockley.
No gimmicks, no music, nothing except great beer and drinks, good filled rolls, good service and lots of local customers.
Known locally simlpy as "The Rule"
The Bridge House Ambleside features on the cover of a great little book
See the Bridge House on the cover of this book
UK readers can buy this book that has the Bridge House on the cover.
Find out more about Ambleside right here
Things to do in Ambleside
Ideas from local resident whitemoss for more things to do in Ambleside.
Ambleside Online
A one stop information site about Ambleside, the Lake District, Cumbria
This is a "roughish guide" (the words of its author!) to the goings on around Ambleside.
Take a look- you might find it interesting and informative!
Take a look- you might find it interesting and informative!
- Ambleside Online- for residents and vistors
- A guide to everything going on in Ambleside, run by local resident Paul Renouf.
More information about the area around Ambleside
Here are some more of my Lake District lenses.
More lenses about the Lake District.
See the Bridge House on Pinterest
Have you discovered Pinterest?
I'm pinning lots if lovely pics on Pinterest, including the Bridge House. Why not take a look?
Bridge House Ambleside on flickr
As you can see, people love to photograph The Bridge House, Ambleside.
When visitors some to Ambleside, they always take a souvenir photo of the Bridhe House!
Who's talking about the Lake District right now?
Ambleside, at the heart of the Lake District
See who is talking about the Lake District on twitter today.
I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Bridge House, Ambleside.
I'd love you to leave a comment- thank you!
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LiteraryMind
Mar 24, 2012 @ 7:35 pm | delete
- Looks very beautiful and quaint
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Wedding_Mom
Mar 15, 2012 @ 8:39 pm | delete
- Great lens! Very interesting house and definitely worth a visit someday.
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winlin
Jan 22, 2012 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- What an interesting story about the Ambleside House.
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Lindrus
Jan 19, 2012 @ 3:40 pm | delete
- What a cute house! Loved your lens!
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HarmonyArtMom
Feb 9, 2011 @ 12:00 pm | delete
- Loving this lens....I can dream of going there someday. :)
Adding to my favorites and adding a blessing.
***Blessed by an Angel***
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by whitemoss
My home White Moss House was owned by Wordsworth. It's now a guest house in England's Lake District You can stay here!
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- Wordsworth's Lake District. Wordsworth's Lake District.
- White Moss House, award winning Grasmere bed and breakfast. White Moss House, award winning Grasmere bed and breakfast.
- 10 things to do in Grasmere. 10 things to do in Grasmere.
- Things to do in Ambleside,English Lake District Things to do in Ambleside,English Lake District
- Top 10 Lakes in the Lake District Top 10 Lakes in the Lake District
- Rydal Water Walk. Rydal Water Walk.
If you're visiting Ambleside, get your guidebook before you go.
Don't carry heavy books! Load the best guide books on your Kindle.
The Rough Guide to the Lake District (Rough Guide Lake District)
Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)
This is a very comprehensive guide to the Lake District National Park, which has Ambleside at the centre.
Not got your Kindle yet?
Quick, buy your Kindle here!
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers
Amazon Price: $139.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is the super clear Kindle that I own. The 3G allows you to download books, magazines, journals, anywhere in the world.
UK readers can buy it from amazon.co.uk right here.
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, 6" E Ink Display
Ambleside is the hiking center of England's Lake District.
Get equipped with the maps before you leave home
Touring Map: Lake District & Cumbria (Tour Maps)
Amazon Price: $17.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
Buy this excellent Ordnance survey map before you go. This is an excellent tour map. You can use it for walking or driving, though serious hikers should buy the very detailed OS maps.
Readers in the UK can buy their Ordnance survey maps from Amazon.co.uk here Lake District (OS Travel Map - Tour Map)
