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Rydal Rock, Ambleside

Guest Rating
Rating
4.7
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.7
out of 5
Sleeps up to 8
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 4

Rydal Rock is a beautifully renovated holiday cottage located in the heart of the Lake District in Cumbria. This splendid property sits in Ambleside and offers stunning open-plan living spaces perfect for families or groups of friends exploring this famous national park.

The area provides direct access to lakeland fells and woodland trails. You can walk to Rydal Water in minutes. Ambleside hosts the annual rushbearing ceremony and provides a base for exploring Grasmere, Windermere and Coniston.

The cottage features spacious accommodation with modern amenities throughout. The open-plan design creates a sociable atmosphere for gatherings.

 

About Rydal Rock

Rydal Rock is a beautifully renovated holiday cottage located in the heart of the Lake District in Cumbria. This splendid property sits in Ambleside and offers stunning open-plan living spaces perfect for families or groups of friends exploring this famous national park.

The area provides direct access to lakeland fells and woodland trails. You can walk to Rydal Water in minutes. Ambleside hosts the annual rushbearing ceremony and provides a base for exploring Grasmere, Windermere and Coniston.

The cottage features spacious accommodation with modern amenities throughout. The open-plan design creates a sociable atmosphere for gatherings. Large windows frame views of the surrounding landscape.

Visit Rydal Cave (1.2 miles, 5 minutes) for underground exploration. Walk to Grasmere village (2.1 miles, 8 minutes) to see Dove Cottage. Windermere lake (4.8 miles, 12 minutes) offers boat trips and watersports. Explore Wray Castle (6.3 miles, 15 minutes) for National Trust gardens and architecture.

Rydal Rock delivers authentic Lake District living for outdoor enthusiasts and families wanting mountain access. Book now for your Cumbrian escape.

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Need To Know

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Rydal Rock Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding Rydal Rock during your stay. Find the best places to visit and things to do in the local area, all conveniently organised by distance and type. Charming villages to lively and exciting attractions - there's something for everyone to enjoy. Browse through our categories including attractions, walks & outdoor activities, shopping destinations and handy tips on getting around. Plan your perfect day out. Whether you're looking for family fun, romantic experiences, or pet-friendly adventures, this cottage provides an ideal base to explore Cumbria's fantastic days out. Click on any attraction for more detailed information including address, opening times and visitor tips.

Rydal Cave
Distance: 1.2 miles
LA22 9LR
Dove Cottage Grasmere
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9SH
Wray Castle
Distance: 6.3 miles
LA22 0JA
Rydal Water Circuit
Distance: 0.8 miles
LA22 9LR
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.4 miles
LA22 9NG
Grasmere Lake Walk
Distance: 2.5 miles
LA22 9SH
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 0.5 miles
LA22 9BS
Booths Windermere
Distance: 4.9 miles
LA23 1AF
Grasmere Village Shops
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9SW
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 4.8 miles
LA23 1LB
Ambleside Bus Station
Distance: 0.6 miles
LA22 9BS
Waterhead Pier
Distance: 1.1 miles
LA22 0EP
Rydal Cave
Distance: 1.2 miles
LA22 9LR
Dove Cottage Grasmere
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9SH
Wray Castle
Distance: 6.3 miles
LA22 0JA
Rydal Water Circuit
Distance: 0.8 miles
LA22 9LR
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.4 miles
LA22 9NG
Grasmere Lake Walk
Distance: 2.5 miles
LA22 9SH
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 0.5 miles
LA22 9BS
Booths Windermere
Distance: 4.9 miles
LA23 1AF
Grasmere Village Shops
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9SW
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 4.8 miles
LA23 1LB
Ambleside Bus Station
Distance: 0.6 miles
LA22 9BS
Waterhead Pier
Distance: 1.1 miles
LA22 0EP

Is Rydal Rock Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
Rydal Rock provides excellent outdoor adventure opportunities for children. Walk to Rydal Cave for safe underground exploration. The gentle Rydal Water circuit offers easy family hiking. Ambleside has playgrounds and ice cream shops. Windermere lake activities include boat trips and paddleboarding. Wray Castle features interactive exhibitions and gardens to explore. The open-plan cottage layout lets parents supervise while kids play.
For Couples
Rydal Rock offers couples a romantic Lake District retreat with stunning fell views from large windows. The open-plan living space creates an intimate atmosphere for two. Walk hand-in-hand to Rydal Water at sunset. Explore Grasmere village together and visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage. Ambleside provides cosy pubs and restaurants for evening meals. The peaceful location away from busy tourist centres ensures privacy and relaxation.
Pet Friendly
The listing does not confirm whether Rydal Rock accepts pets. Contact Lakelovers directly using reference q42b5pse to verify their pet policy. If dogs are permitted, the location is excellent with woodland trails from the door. Rydal Water welcomes dogs off-lead in designated areas. Ambleside has dog-friendly pubs and cafes. The surrounding fells provide endless walking opportunities for active dogs.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Rydal Rock

The Apple Pie Cafe Ambleside

Located 0.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BU

The Drunken Duck Inn

Located 3.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 0NG

Baldry's Tea Room Grasmere

Located 2.1 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9SW

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Rydal Rock

Does this cottage have a hot tub?
No, Rydal Rock does not have a hot tub. The property focuses on providing spacious open-plan living areas and stunning fell views instead.
Is it pet friendly?
The listing does not specify pet policies for Rydal Rock. Contact Lakelovers directly using reference q42b5pse to confirm whether dogs are welcome at this property.
How many people does Rydal Rock sleep?
Rydal Rock is designed for families or groups of friends with multiple bedrooms. Contact the property management for exact sleeping capacity and bedroom configuration details.
What parking is available at the cottage?
The property provides off-road parking for guests. Ambleside town centre is within walking distance so you can leave your car and explore on foot.
How far is Rydal Rock from Windermere?
Windermere lake is approximately 4.8 miles away, which takes about 12 minutes by car. The town of Windermere with its shops and restaurants is slightly further.
What walking routes are accessible from the cottage?
Rydal Water is reachable on foot in minutes from the property. Woodland trails and fell paths lead directly from Ambleside to Grasmere, Loughrigg Fell and beyond.
Are shops and restaurants nearby?
Ambleside town centre offers supermarkets, independent shops, cafes and restaurants all within walking distance. The village hosts the annual rushbearing ceremony each summer.
What are the best attractions near Rydal Rock?
Rydal Cave sits just 1.2 miles away for underground exploration. Grasmere village and Dove Cottage are 2.1 miles away, while Wray Castle is 6.3 miles from the property.

Rydal Rock Reviews

Connor
We visit Ambleside every year and always stay in a holiday cottage this is the first time in 10 years that we've been disappointed. The heating on the first and second floor didn't work due to the Hive thermostat not being paired I don't think this is a standalone issue as it has been mentioned a few other times in the guest book. The only way to get the heating to work upstairs was to manually boost it via the receiver next to the boiler, but this meant heating was either on or off so fine for warming the house up, but you couldn't leave it on overnight for example as the house got too hot. Even with the heating boosted, the towel rail in the 2nd floor ensuite did not work at all. The garden could be a nice setting, but is unfortunately not well kept on arrival the garden was full of cigarette butts and dog poo. Not to mention that any splash of rain caused the garden to flood rendering it pretty unusable. The bin is stored in the garden, so when putting out you have to wade through the quagmire, force open the garden gate which is too tight and binding on the frame and then drag the bin up a couple of steps. There is conflicting information about the bins, with the guest book giving different instructions to a note stuck on the inside of the front door which appeared to be a note from August 2025? Neither were entirely accurate. The front door needs easing considerably as needed a good slam to get it to close. The headboards in the 2nd floor bedroom are obviously designed to be fixed to the wall these were missing and resulted in the headboard slamming against the wall if you thought about moving. In the end we had to stuff a jumper behind each one to stop the constant noise. The house itself is well laid out and appears nice on the listing photos for the most part the photos are a fair reflection but the owners do need to pay more attention to the details for example all throughout the ground floor there are strips of frog tape visible under skirting boards where it's been ripped up after obviously being used for cutting in, 10 minutes with a Stanley knife would tidy all of this up. The location and parking etc are excellent and the house was a good base, with a bit more care it could be a lovely holiday cottage but unfortunately we were somewhat underwhelmed.
A lovely house thats comfortable and well equipped and in a beautiful location. Convenient for Ambleside and most of the lakes. Unfortunately the heating issues mentioned in previous reviews have not been solved. The ground floor is warm but first and second floors are either cold or very warm. It definitely impacted on our holiday as we had a 6 month old baby and young toddler to consider. We wouldnt stay there again because of this.
Great holiday home with easy access to the centre of town, if you don't mind the hill Well equipped throughout, plenty of space for 78 people, parking for a couple of cars. Would definitely recommend a stay here.
Isabel
It was beautiful and comfortable accommodation but we would mention slight disappointment at not having live TV at this property which isn't mentioned in the listing. It wouldn't normally matter to us but over Xmas with children, it wasn't ideal to stay up late watching on catchup. There are also a few everyday items missing from the kitchen, no wooden spoon, no measuring jug and not enough mugs for continual use by 8 people. However there were copious amounts of cutlery and crockery. Just little details that would have made a difference but don't take away from the fact that we really enjoyed staying in this lovely 'home from home' accommodation which is in such a good location and easy walking distance from shops and restaurants.
Superb stay at Rydal Rock, very comfy, great location and well equipped.
Alison
Superb stay at Rydal Rock, very comfy, great location and well equipped.
Great property fitted 8 and two dogs no problem. Great location for amenities and access to the lakes.Good facilities and clean. Had a very good time thanks would recommend
We loved your house, thank you for letting us stay together as a family of 7. It is so spacious, super clean and equipped with everything we could need. The location is superb, with great access to shops, restaurants, walks and things to do. It was the perfect place to celebrate my 70th birthday with our family. The only complaint was the constant, unpleasant, sewage smell in the first floor en suite. I hope this can easily be remedied for other guests.
Allison
We found the house to be immaculate. There is everything you need for your stay. The house is spacious and plenty of seating for everyone. Very clean on arrival. The only thing I would say is the garden is not very well maintained and there was a glass panel missing from the decking area. Also pieces of glass amonst the stones so had to take care with our dogs. The house is well positioned for many places to visit and Ambleside village has plenty of places to eat and drink. Walking down to the village is fine but coming back is extremely hilly!! We had a lovely stay. Thank you
We had such a lovely stay at Rydal, the cottage is just perfect. Really well kept, clean, comfortable and spacious. You are a very short walk into town which is lovely. We would 100 come back and stay here. The only thing I would say is that as other reviews have pointed out the garden maintenance isnt quite up to the standard of the rest of the house. Didnt matter to us at all as the weather wasnt that great when we were there. Also I think the bin information might need updating as it was a little unclear which one was going out that week. Overall, it was lovely and I would absolutely recommend.
The property was fantastic. It was very clean and well stocked with plenty crockery, glasses and cutlery. The decking area was very spacious, however, one of the glass panels on the decking balustrade was missing which meant our granddaughter couldnt potter about on the decking on her own as there was quite a drop from the decking to the garden. The garden was also a mess as the grass hadnt been cut and there high weeds everywhere, most disappointing. Apart from the garden and decking the house was great but these areas sadly let it down.
The house is a beautiful properly, lovely furnishings and very modern. Is equipped with everything required. It is in the perfect location, handy for the town. The only negatives to our stay was that we had to call the emergency plumber as the property had no hot water for a day, there were 7 people in the house and we were unable to shower 3 people managed to have a shower before the water went cold. Luckily the problem was fixed within 30 minutes to one hour. Also, the garden could do with being maintained slightly better as it is difficult to see where the dogs had been to do their business outside and if we didnt see where they went, we could have missed picking up some poo.
Carolyn
Heating wasnt working on arrival and it was very cold. We identified error code in boiler manual and got it working. It went off again two days later. No welcome pack and no basics, not even saltpepperwashing up liquid. Garden needs tidying up, glass panel missing from patio taped up, etc.
Trevor
Excellent property. All facilities provided. Location excellent just a few minutes walk to the town Centre. Issue with the heating on arrival was quickly resolved
Christine
A super house for a family gathering. Rydal Rock accommodates eight adults comfortably with luxurious facilities and everything you need for your stay. Location is excellent too. We could walk from the house into the hills and explore. The village of Ambleside has everything you need.
We had a great time and beautiful property, well designed and furnished.
Adrian
Excellent property. Plenty of space and well equipped.
Arthur
A covered bench outside the front door for changing muddy boots would have been a welcome addition ,to a very clean and well maintained home. The information book, should state clearly the microwave as a separate electric switch, at the back of the cupboard above
Steven
Rydal Rock is a comfortable, modern and well located holiday home, a short stroll from the bars, restaurants, cafes and shops of Ambleside. Our favourite pubs, the Golden Rule and the Unicorn, are located about 100 metres down the hill and have a lovely locals feel to them. The open plan ground floor makes cooking easier and more sociable if you choose to have a night in. There are four comfortable, light and airy bedrooms sharing three upstairs bathrooms and there is also a downstairs cloakroom. The enclosed garden was safe and secure for our two small dogs and there is a decking area which would be lovely in the summer months. We had a great week and would throughly recommend for anybody looking for a relaxing stay in Ambleside.
Such a lovely property in a fabulous location. Beds very comfortable and house warm and cosy. The owners have provided everything you could possibly need. It is evident that much thought has gone into making this a beautiful place to stay. Very close to all amenities with views of the surrounding fells. Thank you to housekeeping. The house was spotless on arrival and lovely and welcoming. Much recommended.
Really beautiful home to stay in and very comfortable. Kitchen is very well equipped. Plenty of space for 6 adults and a baby. We loved it despite Storm Darragh visiting us that weekend! The cottage was lovely warm amd cosy. Only comment to make would be that if visitors are bringing a baby you will need to bring a travel cot mattress as the cot avavilbale is not at all suitable or comfy for a little one. We thankfully did bring one. so it was not a problem Both the travel cot and highchair was a littler stained aswell.
Outstanding property in Ambleside with space for all the family! Beautifully renovated and fantastic facilities, would highly recommend. Only a 4 minute walk downhill to the centre of the town and lots of fantastic walks on your doorstep.
Debbie
Enjoyed our stay, beautiful house and in a great location so near to centre which was ideal for my elderly parents. We was lucky and had great weather apart from 1 day. Garden is overgrown and needs a tidy up. Ambleside is our favourite location in Cumbria, so many great places to eat and drink, and lots of nice walks from the doorstep with our 10 month black lab
Christine
Beautiful house. Had a lovely stay. Loved how central it was to Ambleside. Cant recommend enough.
We had a lovely stay, the house was very comfortable and well furnished. The garden could do with a little maintenance and the house appeared clean and tidy upon our arrival. It is very close to the village and there are some lovely walks from the doorstep. We were very lucky with the weather and had a fantastic stay. We would definitely return. Thank you
Joanne
Garden a bit over grown. Issue with rubbish collection bins collection is a Wednesday and not Thursdays, so bins were full when we arrived. Neighbour was kindly there taking rubbish from garden. French door needs adjusting as difficult to close. Outside light broken too. Overall lovely property, comfortable and spacious.
Gorgeous, beautifully furnished property, with everything you need. Minutes away from shopsbars and lovely places to eat. Property is on a hill so maybe difficult for people with mobility issues.
Such a beautiful, well appointed cottage in a fantastic location just a few minutes walk from the centre of Ambleside. Very roomy downstairs and great sized bedrooms and bathrooms. Would definitely recommend to friends and will be back!
Alastair
A lovely holiday home in a great location only a short walk uphill from the town centre. Home is bright, clean, modern. Owners have thoughtfully managed to fit a lot into this property which will ensure you enjoy your break in comfort with everything you need. Highly recommend and looking forward to next visit already!
Denise
Lovely house and in a great position. Only negative was that our dogs were petrified by the low flying aircraft practising their nap of the earth flying.
Trevor
Noticed the table top broken on arrival and concerned that we are liable for damages. Sent photos but no response so rang them. Customer service very hit and miss talking ages to respond. Light out in kitchen, four slice toaster only toasts two. Refuse bins outside should have been emptied but were full so we had to store rubbish in the kitchen until we left. For 900.00 for a three night stay these issues should not have arisen.
Barbara
Beautiful spacious cottage 5 minutes walk from Ambleside and many wonderful walks. The kitchen was modern, fully equipped and spotlessly clean and the bedrooms all had large cupboards and comfortable beds. Garden very dog friendly. We will be coming back.
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Millans Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AG