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5-star hotels in Ambleside
Ten 5-star places to stay in Ambleside, from country houses to cottages and lofts. For couples, families and small groups who want high-rated rooms in the Lake District, close to the town or out by the water.
Staying in Ambleside
Ambleside sits in the Lake District, and this shortlist gathers the 10 places here rated 5-star on the site, out of 855 places to stay in the town. The addresses spread from the centre outwards: Ralston, Prospect House, The Old Laundry and Moss Grove Organic fall within roughly 1 to 5 km of the centre, Nanny Brow is at Clappersgate, and Ees Wyke Country House, Pearsall and Lund lie out at Near Sawrey and Far Sawrey, 8.6 to 8.8 km away.
That split shapes who each place suits. Couples wanting a short break and easy access to town are best served by Ralston, 0.1 km from the centre, or the Prospect House properties on Chapel Hill. Families and groups who want kitchens, washing machines and parking fit the cottages and lofts, while Nanny Brow and Ees Wyke Country House read as quieter country-house stays with gardens and terraces.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Moss Grove Organic
B5287, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereMoss Grove Organic combines a spa and jacuzzi with a terrace and patio, plus free car parking and free wifi, and sits 4.9 km from the centre. Guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 132 reviews. A strong pick for spa-focused travellers who don't mind being outside the centre.
See Moss Grove OrganicNanny Brow
Clappersgate, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Breakfast · Step-free access
- Breakfast
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereNanny Brow places a bar, garden and terrace at 1.7 km from Ambleside centre, with free wifi and luggage storage for straightforward arrivals. A picnic area and wheelchair accessible facilities widen who can stay comfortably, and breakfast is available on site. Best for travellers who want a guesthouse-style base with outdoor space close to town.
See Nanny BrowEes Wyke Country House
Near Sawrey, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereEes Wyke Country House stands 8.6 km from Ambleside centre in Near Sawrey, with a restaurant, garden and terrace and a lake setting. Free car parking and free wifi cover the practical side, and non smoking rooms, bathrobes and slippers add comfort. Express check in and wake-up service smooth early starts. Ideal for guests who want quiet country-house surroundings, dining on site and a lakeside location well away from the busiest streets.
See Ees Wyke Country HouseThe Old Laundry
The Old Laundry 6 Croft Courtyard, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe Old Laundry is a self-catering option 1.0 km from the centre, with a kitchen including dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator, plus a washing machine. A garden and free car parking add outdoor space and easy arrival by car, and pets are allowed. Non smoking rooms throughout. Suited to families or small groups who want to cook for themselves and stay within walking distance of Ambleside rather than a hotel-style serviced stay.
See The Old LaundryRalston
3 Millans Park, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereRalston sits 0.1 km from Ambleside centre, the closest of these properties, with a garden and patio for outdoor sitting. The kitchen comes with dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator, and a washing machine and iron and board are provided, alongside free wifi and free car parking. High chairs and non smoking rooms make it workable for families. Good for guests who want self-catering space right in the middle of town.
See RalstonProspect Cottage Loft
Prospect House Chapel Hill, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereProspect Cottage Loft is a self-catering property 0.5 km from the centre, with a kitchen including dishwasher, oven and refrigerator and a garden for outdoor use. Free car parking removes parking worries and the whole place is non smoking. Fishing and a golf course are among the nearby activities. It suits couples or small groups who want a compact loft base within easy reach of Ambleside and days spent outdoors.
See Prospect Cottage LoftProspect Cottage Studio
Prospect House Chapel Hill, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereProspect Cottage Studio offers a studio layout 0.5 km from Ambleside centre, with a kitchen fitted with dishwasher, oven and refrigerator plus a garden. Free car parking and non smoking rooms keep things simple, and fishing and a golf course are available nearby. The compact studio format fits solo travellers or couples who want self-catering independence and a short distance to town rather than hotel services.
See Prospect Cottage StudioPearsall
The Ferry Landing Far Sawrey, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay herePearsall stands 8.8 km from Ambleside centre at The Ferry Landing in Far Sawrey, with a kitchen including dishwasher, microwave, oven, refrigerator and toaster, plus coffee. A washing machine, iron and board and high chairs cover longer family stays, and free car parking is provided. Fishing and a golf course are nearby. Best for guests who want a quiet self-catering house near the water, away from the town centre.
See PearsallProspect House
Prospect House Chapel Hill, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereProspect House is a self-catering property 0.5 km from the centre with a fireplace, terrace and garden, plus a kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator and a washing machine. Free car parking and non smoking rooms throughout. Fishing and a golf course are among the available activities. It suits groups or families wanting a spacious house with outdoor space and an easy walk into Ambleside.
See Prospect HouseLund
Fba Ferry Landing Far Sawrey, Ambleside, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereLund sits 8.8 km from the centre at Ferry Landing in Far Sawrey, with a fireplace, kitchen including dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and toaster, and a cot and high chairs for young children. Pets are allowed and free car parking is provided, with coffee, hairdryer and iron and board among the extras. A good fit for families or pet owners wanting a self-catering house near the water and away from the busiest parts of Ambleside.
See Lund
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Grove Organic | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | 4.9 km |
| Nanny Brow | ★★★★★ | – | Yes | – | 1.7 km |
| Ees Wyke Country House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 8.6 km |
| The Old Laundry | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 1.0 km |
| Ralston | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 0.1 km |
| Prospect Cottage Loft | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Prospect Cottage Studio | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Pearsall | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 8.8 km |
| Prospect House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 0.5 km |
| Lund | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 8.8 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For couples
These three sit closest to the centre and suit a short break for two. Ralston is 0.1 km away with a patio and garden; Prospect Cottage Loft and Prospect Cottage Studio are 0.5 km away on Chapel Hill, each with a kitchen, shower and free parking. The loft and studio share the same address, so they work well for two couples travelling together.
For families
Ralston, Lund and Pearsall all provide kitchens, washing machines and high chairs, with free car parking. Ralston is 0.1 km from the centre, while Lund and Pearsall sit at Far Sawrey, 8.8 km out. Lund also offers a cot and a fireplace, which helps with younger children on longer stays.
For pet owners
Only two of the 10 places list pets allowed: The Old Laundry, 1.0 km from the centre, and Lund at Far Sawrey, 8.8 km away. Both give you a kitchen, a garden or fireplace, free parking and non-smoking rooms, so a dog can join a self-catering stay rather than a hotel room.
For wellness and dining
Moss Grove Organic is the only one listing a spa and Jacuzzi, alongside breakfast, a terrace and bike rental, 4.9 km from the centre. Ees Wyke Country House has a restaurant and lunch service, 8.6 km out, and Nanny Brow at Clappersgate, 1.7 km away, has a bar, garden and picnic area. All three are non-smoking, with free Wifi.
Where to stay in Ambleside
Chapel Hill
Prospect Cottage Loft, Prospect Cottage Studio and Prospect House all sit at Prospect House on Chapel Hill, 0.5 km from the centre. The three share a similar setup: kitchen, dishwasher, shower, free parking and non-smoking rooms, plus fishing and a golf course nearby. Prospect House adds a fireplace and terrace.
Our picks here: Prospect Cottage Loft · Prospect Cottage Studio · Prospect House
Far Sawrey
Pearsall and Lund are both at The Ferry Landing in Far Sawrey, 8.8 km from the centre. Both list kitchens, coffee, free car parking, high chairs and iron and board. Lund also allows pets and has a cot and fireplace, so the pair covers families and pet owners wanting a base away from town.
Near Sawrey
Ees Wyke Country House stands at Near Sawrey, 8.6 km from the centre. It is the only place here with a restaurant and lunch listed, plus a garden, lake setting, terrace and free parking. With 132 reviews behind Moss Grove Organic elsewhere on this list, Ees Wyke is the quiet country-house end of the shortlist.
Our picks here: Ees Wyke Country House
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Ambleside has 855 places to stay listed on this site, and the shortlist spreads from the centre out to Far Sawrey and Near Sawrey, 8.6 to 8.8 km away, with Clappersgate at 1.7 km and Moss Grove Organic at 4.9 km. That range matters when you plan arrivals: the closest properties, Ralston at 0.1 km, the Chapel Hill places at 0.5 km and The Old Laundry at 1.0 km, put you within the town, while the Sawrey addresses sit further out. Free car parking is listed at most of these properties, and Moss Grove Organic also lists public transport and bike rental service, so both a car and a bike are practical ways to move between the centre and the outlying houses.
When to go
The site gives no seasonal detail for Ambleside, so choose by what you want from the stay rather than a month. If you plan to walk into town, Ralston at 0.1 km, Chapel Hill at 0.5 km and The Old Laundry at 1.0 km keep you close. If you prefer a country house or a ferry-landing base, Ees Wyke Country House, Pearsall and Lund sit 8.6 to 8.8 km out and all list free car parking, which matters more in wetter months.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Ambleside?
Ralston is the closest, 0.1 km from the centre, with free parking, a garden and a patio. Prospect Cottage Loft, Prospect Cottage Studio and Prospect House on Chapel Hill are next at 0.5 km, and The Old Laundry is 1.0 km away. The furthest are Ees Wyke Country House, Pearsall and Lund at 8.6 to 8.8 km.
Do any of these places allow pets?
Yes. The Old Laundry, 1.0 km from the centre, and Lund at Far Sawrey, 8.8 km away, both list pets allowed. Both have kitchens, free car parking and non-smoking rooms. None of the other places on this shortlist lists pets among its facilities.
Is there a spa or pool at any of these hotels?
Moss Grove Organic is the only one listing a spa, along with a Jacuzzi, 4.9 km from the centre. It also lists a terrace, breakfast and bike rental service. No pool is listed at any of the 10 places on this shortlist, so check your expectations before booking.
Which is the best-rated of these hotels?
Moss Grove Organic has a guest rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 132 reviews, and it is the only 5-star place here with a published score and review count. The site gives an average guest score of 4.5 out of 5 across Ambleside's 855 listed places, so the town as a whole scores highly.
Do these properties have parking?
Free car parking is listed at Moss Grove Organic, Ees Wyke Country House, The Old Laundry, Ralston, Prospect Cottage Loft, Prospect Cottage Studio, Pearsall, Prospect House and Lund. That covers the outlying Sawrey and Clappersgate addresses as well as the town-centre ones. Nanny Brow does not list parking among its facilities.
Which places suit families with children?
Ralston, Lund and Pearsall all list kitchens, washing machines and high chairs, with free parking. Ralston is 0.1 km from the centre, while Lund and Pearsall are at Far Sawrey, 8.8 km away.
Can I get breakfast at any of these hotels?
Moss Grove Organic lists breakfast and breakfast in room, and Nanny Brow lists breakfast, both 5-star. Ees Wyke Country House has a restaurant and lunch instead. The cottages and lofts, including Ralston, The Old Laundry and the Prospect House properties, list kitchens rather than meals.
Which is the quietest, most countryside option?
Ees Wyke Country House at Near Sawrey, 8.6 km from the centre, lists a lake, garden and terrace, and is the only place here with a restaurant. Nanny Brow at Clappersgate, 1.7 km away, has a garden and picnic area. Both sit well away from the town centre compared with Ralston at 0.1 km.