Ambleside, Rydal Caves & “The Grot”
We base ourselves in the heart of Ambleside on our break this time and it’s a great starting point for some stunning family walks.
We begin our first proper day with a circular hike from Ambleside to Rydal Caves, Grasmere & Rydal Water. The route is straightforward to follow, although it starts alongside a road for quite a way if you’re starting from Ambleside. If looking for the best Lake District beginner hikes with a baby or the best family Lake District hikes with kids, this has to be on the list!
Spot the little all weather adventurer 🥺
It’s a drizzly day, and to be honest we’re expecting drizzle for most of the week so that’s no surprise. The walk takes about 40-50mins to the caves. As you get closer, you’ll probably spot a cave to your left that looks like the real thing. It’s not. Keep going to reach the real Rydal Caves and you’ll see there are stepping stones in the entrance.
With water this turquoise you’d never know the skies were looking peaky, right?
We get quacking to a couple of ducks at the entrance. No pun intended here; I do a lot of melodramatic quacking these days as Leo finds it HILARIOUS.
If you’re going with toddlers or slightly older kids who will enjoy hopping along the stepping stones, then it’s probably worth taking an extra change of clothes in case they fall in.
We take the route to Rydal Cave from Ambleside, before extending our walk along Rydal Water, and ending back at Ambleside. Roughly 7 miles of rugged woodland, caves, waterfalls and mountain views. What’s not to love?
Love this magical spot (below) that we found on our way back to Ambleside. This charming stone building in the grounds of Rydal Hall is known as “The Grot”. It was built in 1668, to frame the view of Rydal Falls, and is thought to be Britain’s earliest purpose-built viewing station.
Poet William Wordsworth describes The Grot in his poem “An Evening Walk”, and Suffolk born landscape painter John Constable once drew this view of Rydal Falls.
We also pause for a drink at Badger Bar, between Grasmere and Rydal. Badger Bar is a traditional inn dating back to 1624, and with characterful beams galore, fire roaring, and the (very intermittent) glow of a trying sun through the window, makes such a cosy pitstop.
After getting back to Ambleside we grab a drink and a bite to eat and then head to Stockghylls waterfalls in the afternoon, another easy Lake District walk from Ambleside.
We accidentally leave our Osprey nappy change dry bag on the hill outside the caves (good job Leo didn’t need a change on the way back!) so Mr J plots his following morning run to go and grab it, expecting it to have gone. It was there!! Someone had kindly popped rocks around it to stop it from blowing away. There are some really good eggs out there. I don’t know who you are but if you happen to read this - thank you!
Rating: *****
I’ve rated this walk 5 stars as it was a real highlight and such a great beginners walk for baby carrying or with kids.
Length: Approx. 6 miles
Park: We started this route from Ambleside town centre, but there are routes from White Moss car park and Rydal.
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Clear path most of the way. A few areas with roots that can get a bit boggy and slippery on rainy days.
Navigation: Easy
Facilities: Badger’s Inn makes a great stop for food, drink and loos.
Highlights: Panoramic views across Rydal Water, exciting caves, places to eat, Rydal Hall gardens
