Thinking of moving to the Lake District? Consider Ambleside..

Over the last couple of years I have noticed a new trend rising across south Manchester – long-time residents are quitting the city and heading north, seeking the peace, quiet and glorious countryside offered by Cumbria, and more specifically the Lake District.

There can be very few of us living so close to the M6 who haven’t ventured up to the Lakes for a long weekend, and everyone who goes comes back filled with resolve to go again, and again. Green upon green, winding lanes, stone cottages, distinct villages with welcoming communities and so much to do on land, up hills or on the water. What’s not to love?

There are two main types of people moving out of Manchester and to the Lakes, it has become clear: those who have just or who are about to retire, seeking clean air, wide skies and a slower pace of life; and working families, not close to retirement but with the option to work from home for the majority, if not all, of the week and who want to have their children grow up in a safe, healthy, fresh green environment where outdoor life is the norm.

If you’re thinking of moving to the Lake District – where’s the best place to live?

There is no single, simple answer to this question, so I have been working with award-winning estate agent Hackney & Leigh, with ten offices across the Lake District, to learn more about where’s great, and why. This week, we’re starting with Ambleside.

What’s great about living in Ambleside?

Ambleside is a very special place to live. Situated at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, it’s a petite town of around 2,500 residents and two highly regarded primary schools.

Often described as ‘bustling’, Ambleside has a thriving community and there’s always lots going on and yet its small size and small resident population means it easily delivers that sense of escape to a quieter, more rural way of life so many are seeking – let’s face it, look in any direction and the glories of the Lake District are immediately apparent!

Transport links

There is no train station in Ambleside, but it’s less than five miles from Windermere, from where you can catch a direct train to Manchester Piccadilly, a journey that takes around an hour and 15 minutes through quite fabulous scenery – your home commute will decompress you in ways that driving even just three miles out of Manchester at rush hour never could!

Schools

Ambleside has two primary schools: Ambleside CofE Primary School; and Ambleside Academy, a larger than average primary with a three-class intake and a nursery school. Both have great reputations in the community. There is not a high school in Ambleside, but travelling to high school is the norm for the families who live outside of Windermere or Kendal.

Amenities

As a popular tourist destination Ambleside has a multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants worth investigating until you find your favourites, and there’s a handy Tesco Express for necessities. The nearest large supermarket is in Windermere, but as this is just under five miles away, it’s an easy trip. The fact that it’s a Booths can only be a plus… Tesco happily delivers, however, just like they do in Manchester!

Ambleside serves several villages close-by, each with their own particular character and community. If living in Ambleside itself doesn’t appeal, consider looking just a little further afield.

Grasmere and Rydal

Grasmere and the nearby hamlet of Rydal are pretty little villages to the north of Ambleside, each named after their lakes. Grasmere is famous as the former home of poet William Wordsworth and the current home of the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, which claims to offer the world’s best gingerbread – definitely a claim worth checking out! The village has a school, and local shops and cafés and set in stunning scenery.

Coniston and Torver

Coniston Lake is of course famous for the 1960s water speed attempts made by Donald Campbell and there’s a village museum where you can learn all about this brave but ultimately tragic man. Coniston offers shops, pubs, a school, and a micro-brewery, plus excellent water sports.

Elterwater and Chapel Stile

It could be argued that Elterwater and Chapel Stile epitomise the Lake District, with two small, picture-perfect villages offering amenities including shops, pubs and a small school.

Hawkshead, Outgate and Sawrey

Hawkshead, between Windermere and Coniston, was home to Beatrix Potter, whose house Hill Top remains a major attraction. It retains its ancient charm with narrow alleys, pubs, restaurants, and shops. Linked with Near and Far Sawrey and close to Esthwaite Water, the area offers gentle countryside, a car ferry across Windermere, and summer visits from ospreys.

Ullswater

Often called the prettiest of the lakes, Ullswater stretches from Pooley Bridge to Patterdale. Villages such as Glenridding, Watermillock, and Dacre each have their own character, with small schools, shops, and welcoming inns.

Satterthwaite

Apart from its excellent name, Satterthwaite is a hidden gem, nestled in Grizedale Forest between Windermere and Coniston. With a friendly pub and easy access to mountain biking, hiking, treetop adventures, and wildlife, it’s an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts.