Off this week so mulling over a few days in the Lakes. I've previously stayed in Ambleside so wondered if there's other nice places? South and Central. A few outdoor shops, takeways are my only desires. Thanks
Keswick
Stick with Ambleside; best place in the Lakes. Big enough but small enough at the same time.
Millom
Keswick +1
Much quieter, less folk to bother about you riding footpaths.
Can't decide whether I prefer Keswick or Ambleside. Would probably stay in Elterwater if it was really up to me.<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">W</span>
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Was about to ask for MTB route recommendations, can I hijack this thread?</span>
We normally go to the Lakes twice a year and stay in Ambleside and Keswick. I really like them both.
Thanks all. My usual B&B in Ambleside is being renovated. Maybe I'll try another place in Ambleside. Cheers
@mrsheen - if you're eating out in Ambleside try Lucy on a Plate. It's great.
Historically I've preferred Keswick over Ambleside....better bars/restaurants band better outdoors shops too imo.
Currently though it's all like an absolute circus (I guess given that I'm often there then I'm part of the problem)
We went into Manchester city centre last Monday for the first time since lockdown.....it was like a ghost town. The Lakes is HEAVING by comparison!!!!
Don't bother with all those mountains and autumnal forests, what you want is a good browse for a new fleece.
We were in Keswick a couple of weeks back, busiest I've ever seen it!
Historically I’ve preferred Keswick over Ambleside….better bars/restaurants band better outdoors shops too imo.
Booths is big plus for Keswick, but Ambleside has some great shops eg PUSH Cartel (ultimate road bike shop), The EPIC Centre (nicest outdoor gear shop in the country), The Climbers Shop. Lucys on a Plate is also excellent for food.
Also, there is a Booths just down the road in Windermere.
Keswick has always seemed a bit, err, lively on a Friday and Saturday night compared with Ambleside, so it depends what kind of pubbing experience you like.
You could try Staveley it's got Wilfs Cafe, the Eagle and Child pub and until they acted with utter contempt to their staff over covid I would have said the Hawkshead Brewery. Plenty of good riding from the door.
Elterwater/Langdale is central and includes a valley long pub crawl.
Russland is often overlooked - though there's not much there other then the riding.
Keswick has always seemed a bit, err, lively on a Friday and Saturday night compared with Ambleside, so it depends what kind of pubbing experience you like.
Not in the world of VC-19 eg The Dog and Gun is all screened off booths, no mingling, no leaving your table and waitress service for drinks. Eating there was like a military exercise, scan this QR code, stand here, sanitise hands, no dawdling, sit here, don't leave your seat, if you must use the loo, queue there, one in one out. Masks on at all time unless eating....
CONISTON.
Was going to suggest Coniston myself, some great pubs including the Ship for food. Short drive up to Ambleside and has walking a plenty from the door.