The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group Nature photoThe Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group Exterior photoThe Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group Room photo

The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group, Ambleside

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From$221 /night
Check-in
22Sept
Check-out
23Sept
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0ER
-
Next to Windermere lake
Great
8.2
8.7
/10
5.0
4.5
/5

Rooms at Waterhead

The Waterhead Inn offers several room types. Double Rooms in The Waterhead Inn feature a double bed and an en-suite bathroom. Lakehouse Double or Twin Rooms include a king-sized bed or two single beds and an en-suite bathroom. Classic Double or Twin Rooms with View, located in The Waterhead Inn, have views of the lake or fells, en-suite bathroom, and tea/coffee facilities. Superior Double/Twin with View rooms offer views of Lake Windermere, a king sized bed or two singles, and an en-suite bathroom. Lakehouse Family Rooms have a king-sized bed, sofa bed and an en-suite bathroom.

Dining at The Waterhead

The Waterhead Inn offers a seasonal menu available from 12:00pm - 9:00pm with locally sourced ingredients. The Waterhead Inn offers fresh Cumbrian breakfast from 7:30am - 11:00am. The Waterhead Inn's bar serves drinks.

Things to do

The Waterhead Inn is near the Lake District. Stagshaw Gardens is 0.5 km away. Rydal Mount and Gardens are 4 km away. Wray Castle is 6 km away. Wansfell Pike is 10 km away. Coniston is 13 km away. Kendal Train Station is 21 km away. The Wateredge Inn is 0.3km away. The Temperance Inn is 1 Miles away. The Ambleside Inn is 1.3km away. The Swan, Grasmere is 5 Miles away.

Location and Transport

The Waterhead Inn is located 80 km from Carlisle Lake District. St Mary's Church is 1 km away. Wray Castle is 2 km away. Bridge House is 2 km away. Jenkin Crag, Old Courthouse Gallery, and Moss Eccles Tarn are 1 km away. High Close Estate is 0.5 km away. It is opposite Waterhead Pier, with public transport links.

Property Amenities

The Waterhead Inn has a bar, a beer garden and offers free parking. The hotel is dog/pet friendly and is near hiking trails. All rooms come with free WiFi, flat-screen TV, Coffee and tea, Hairdryer.

“The Waterhead Inn benefits greatly from its prime spot near Ambleside and the lake, making it ideal for exploring the Lake District. I appreciate that it welcomes dogs and has spacious bar and restaurant areas. The combination of friendly service and British pub classics, plus its attention to local sourcing, makes it a comfortable and convenient base.”
Hotel logo
Isabella MooreSenior Editorial Director at Petfriendlyhotels

Select your room type

Cozy rooms, spacious suites, and family-friendly homes, all with flexible cancellation policies & special deals
  • Classic Double or Twin Room
    2 persons
    26 sq. feet
    1 Double bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Double Room
    2 persons
    23 sq. feet
    1 Double bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Classic Double or Twin Room View
    2 persons
    26 sq. feet
    1 King-size bed
    Heating
    Shower
Show all rooms

Price and room availability calendar

Check availability and rates for your selected dates!
September 2026 - September 2027
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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Enjoy premium amenities for a relaxing stay with your pet
Facilities: Great
8.3/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • Pets allowed
  • Allergy-free rooms
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access
  • Key access

Sports & Fitness

  • Canoeing
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Fishing

Guest Parking

  • Private parking is possible on site for free.

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area

Children

  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Garden area

Room features

  • Heating
  • Sitting area
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
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Dining Onsite

At The Waterhead Inn in Ambleside, enjoy a delightful dining experience at the Bar & Grill, where British and local flavors come together in a warm, inviting environment. With a mix of hearty breakfast options and a brasserie-style menu, every meal is a chance to indulge in the best of Lake District culinary offerings.
  • Bar & Grill

    British, Local, Grill/BBQ
    Ambiance
    Bright and stylish restaurant with an eclectic mix of Lakes memorabilia, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.
    Key Offerings
    Signature dishes include braised blade of beef with horseradish mash and herb-crusted hake with chorizo and butterbean broth, alongside a robust breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit salad, granola, pancakes, and the full works with Cumberland sausage and hash browns.
    Reservation
    No
    Open daily from 07:30 to 21:00.

Location

Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0ER
Explore Ambleside
Explore Ambleside
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Jenkin Crag
11 minutes' walk
Stunning views of Windermere and the surrounding fells. A perfect spot for photography and a leisurely hike.
Bridge House
25 minutes' walk
Iconic 17th-century house atop the River Stock. Known for its picturesque setting and fascinating history.
Brockhole on Windermere
25 minutes' walk
Lake District Visitor Centre with outdoor activities, beautiful gardens, and a café. Ideal for families and outdoor lovers.
Wray Castle
25 minutes' walk
Victorian Gothic castle by the lake, featuring exhibitions and children's activities. Scenic grounds for walking and picnics.
Ambleside Climbing Wall
10 minutes' walk
Indoor climbing wall offering challenges for all skill levels. Equipment rentals available for beginners and enthusiasts.
Moss Eccles Tarn
15 minutes' walk
Tranquil tarn surrounded by woodland, perfect for relaxation and scenic walks. A serene spot for picnics and wildlife watching.
Mountain Biking at Grizedale Forest
10 minutes' drive
Thrilling mountain biking trails for various skill levels. Bike rentals and guided tours available to enhance the experience.
Four Seasons Terrace Cafe
16 minutes' walk
Charming café with a relaxed atmosphere, serving delicious homemade cakes and local specialties. Ideal for lunch or a sweet treat.
Table 22 Restaurant
10 minutes' drive
Welcoming ambiance offering inventive dishes made with local ingredients. Reservations recommended for an enjoyable dining experience.
Fellinis Cinema
15 minutes' walk
Diverse film screenings in a cozy setting, along with a bar and café. Perfect for a relaxing movie night for all ages.
Old Courthouse Gallery
15 minutes' walk
Art gallery featuring local artists' works, with regular exhibitions. A cultural highlight with events for art enthusiasts.
Getting around
  • City Centre
    Ambleside 11 min  ·  3000 ft
  • Airports
    Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 115 min  ·  47.5 mi
    Blackpool International (BLK) 158 min  ·  65.2 mi
  • Bus
    Bus stop 14 min  ·  3700 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:00
Check-out
from 07:00-10:00
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
The hotel The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group serves a full breakfast for free.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Number of rooms:
43
Former name
Waterhead

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Waterhead Inn enjoys a fantastic lakeside location, with rooms offering lovely views. Many guests found the rooms to be spacious and clean, also noting the comfortable beds. The hotel is conveniently located for exploring, with easy access to Ambleside town centre by foot or bus, and is also opposite the pier for boat trips; some guests have mentioned that the public parking next door can be a bit expensive, though. A highlight for many is the breakfast, with the option to request freshly cooked scrambled eggs, while the on-site restaurant also serves tasty evening meals.
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Review score
Based on 1117 verified reviews
8.3 /10
Great
84 %
Recommend
Location
9.4/10
Staff
8.7/10
Free Wi-Fi
7.8/10
Value for money
7.8/10
Pros
Ideal location
Friendly staff
High-quality food
Cons
Cold room
Guest reviews
based on 1117 reviews
8.3/10
based on 1973 reviews
8.2/10
jade from united kingdom
Family with children
superior double or twin room view
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 17, 2026
7/10
amazing selection fresh breakfast spacious bedroom poor pillows early noise chipped paint
the breakfast selection was amazing and freshly prepared. the dinner was delicious. the bedroom was spacious and clean (i didn't want to leave).
the pillows were a poor choice, with five identical pillows in the room. we were woken by a delivery driver throwing produce down onto the floor of his van directly beneath our window. the paint was chipped on all the doors, door frames, and skirting boards.
0 Helpful
Naomi from United Kingdom
Couple
Classic Double or Twin Room View
2 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 11, 2026
9.0/10

Charming Lakeside Retreat

clean room varied selection helpful staff
The room was quite spacious and very clean. The breakfast offered a varied and decent quality selection, i found it good. Staff members were generally friendly, AND helpful. I was impressed by their attitude.
The public parking next door was a bit expensive, costing 8 pounds for 24 hours though I only had to park there once.
Service
9/10
The staff was very attentive from arrival. Cases WERE promptly delivered to the room. Employees were friendly and accommodating, always ready to assist with any requests or provide helpful information. I appreciated their dedication.
Location
10/10
The hotel is wonderfully situated right on the water front. This location provided amazing views and immediate access to lovely walks. Boat trips to nearby areas are easily accessible from this spot.
Facilities
8/10
The room included adequate amenities AND was well kept. The bar and restaurant area were nice and neat. A lovely beer garden is available to relax outdoors. I found it awesome.
Dining
9/10
Evening meals were excellent and thoughtfully prepared. I was really surprised. Breakfast provided a good variety of options with perfectly cooked eggs. Everyone can find something to their liking. The restaurant offered tasty choices of mains and desserts.
0 Helpful
|
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Joshua from United Kingdom
Single
Classic Double or Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: December 27, 2025
9/10
easy parking spacious bedroom fabulous breakfast
parking was easy i appreciated that the bedroom and bathroom felt spacious they were also clean and comfy breakfast was fabulous with lots of choice too it really set me up for the day
the hotel doesn't really have a reception you interact with staff at the bar and restaurant during checkout i encountered a rude member of staff
0 Helpful
FAQs
About The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group
What is the distance from The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group to Lake Windermere?
The Waterhead Inn is located 0.5 km from Lake Windermere.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is at 10:30.
Is parking available at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
Free private parking is available on-site, subject to availability.
What dining options are available at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
The hotel features an on-site restaurant and bar serving a variety of beverages and meals.
Is breakfast included at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 15 GBP.
What recreational activities can guests enjoy at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
Guests can enjoy hiking, cycling, canoeing, and fishing in the area.
What amenities do the rooms at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group offer?
Rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles.
Which nearby attractions are easily accessible from The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
Nearby attractions include Wray Castle and Brockhole, both within a 10-minute drive.
Does The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group have a bar?
Yes, there is an on-site bar/lounge area available for guests.
Is there a lounge area at The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside- The Inn Collection Group?
The hotel features a lounge area where guests can relax.

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