Ambleside - Here we come!

It was a time-honoured route that most of us took from London. Start at Euston and change at Preston, Lancaster or Oxenholme, as the timetable requires. However, travelling can also be a pleasure; the countryside, rolling past one's eyes, forms an ever changing tapestry of landscapes and the human imprints thereupon. Finally, Windermere - whose branch line is still going strong in a quasi act of defiance to Beeching - is in our sights and our Lakeland destination is not far away.

Preston Station still bears the marks - now well tended - of its Victorian glory, ...

From the various parts of the home counties we all gradually descend on the hostel which will be our home for the next few days. The hostel is indeed very conveniently situated for downtown Ambleside with its shops and bus connections. A nice warm-up walk awaits the early birds. A visit to a local eatery and watering hole nicely rounds off our first day.

... as does our hostel, built in sturdy Victorian Lakeland fashion. Slate on the outside and high ceilings (in the ground floor lounge) within.

Our First Walk - The Sweden Bridges

It was nice to get our feet used to the crunch crunch of the Lakeland slate. John E. had a nice 4 mile (6.5 Km) walk in store for the early arrivals. The walk gave us a total ascent approaching 300 metres, and took in some of the typical lush green countryside that - at this time of the year - nestles at the feet of the Lakeland mountains. The weather was well behaved - a good omen!

Above Low Sweden Bridge, the view is to the north west, towards Rydal, Grasmere and beyond. Our path is indeed "slatey" and crunchy.




We stop awhile to take in Ambleside which hugs the northern tip of Lake Windermere and is nestling in the verdant ebullience of an early Lakeland summer.




In a short while, John E. is caught apparently seeking inspiration from the massif that leads on to the Red Screes. Perhaps an idea for a walk.




This path leads on to the Fairfield Horseshoe. In a few days' time this path will echo to the collective sounds of our collective footsteps.




High Sweden Bridge nestles in the landscape, as if it - the bridge - had somehow been created with the landscape when the landscape was first formed many aeons ago. Why "Sweden"? Were there Scandinavian connections?




On the way down to Ambleside, we can soak up another view towards Rydal and Grasmere.




Ambleside lies ahead, ...




... as does this mysterious "folly".




At this time of year, the Lake District bursts out in a riot of colourful flowers.

The White Lion

John E. chose our hostel on the basis that it would offer us the flexibility regarding eating out in the evening. Tonight, the White Lion, in downtown Ambleside, is in our sights. A good choice. The White Lion will also receive our custom on some subsequent days.

The White Lion is a solid looking Victorian edifice, offering good solid fare.




The local corvids also seem to appreciate the White Lion, but more from the perspective of the view they can get from the top. They probably exercise their avian territorial commitments on a collective basis - they are naturally gregarious after all.




Across the road, some nicely painted Victorian cast iron work attracts our attention. And so to rest. Tomorrow the Langdales await.

Features of Our Walk to the Sweden Bridges

Our first day's walk, ably arranged and led by John E., was about 4 clockwise miles (6.5 Km) long, and gave us a total ascent approaching 300 metres. This was a nice warm up in preparation for the days ahead. Here you will see the map and heights relating to this walk; for data on all our walks, please click here.

Our first day's walk was about 4 clockwise miles (6.5 Km) long, and ...




... gave us a total ascent approaching 300 metres -
a good warm up in preparation for the days ahead.