Stay beside the River Rothay between Ambleside and Grasmere, with direct walking access to Rydal Water, Rydal Cave and Loughrigg Fell.
A peaceful riverside setting with walks starting from the garden.
A gentle aerial view of Rydal Lodge — our riverside garden, historic country house and the walking routes that begin directly from the door.
Step directly from Rydal Lodge onto some of the Lake District’s most rewarding walking routes. Rydal Water offers gentle lakeside paths, Loughrigg Fell provides panoramic views over Windermere and Grasmere, and the Coffin Route links beautifully towards Grasmere village — all reached on foot from the garden.
Each room has its own character, blending period features with calm, comfortable spaces to unwind. Sleep beside the River Rothay, wake to a freshly prepared breakfast, and step straight into the fells, lakes and villages that make this corner of the Lake District so special.
Enjoy the best available rates when you book direct, with selected midweek and early booking incentives throughout the year.
Book any 3-night stay between May and September and receive two complimentary nights to use during selected quieter months (February–April or October–December 2026).Limited availability.
Once your stay is confirmed, simply email us with the subject FREESTAY and we’ll arrange your complimentary night voucher. Bank holidays excluded.
Full payment required at time of booking.
Our Early Bird rate rewards guests who book in advance with a significant saving on our best available rate.
Early Bird terms:
20% discount on eligible stays
Book at least 28 days before arrival.
Full payment required at time of booking
Non-refundable within 28 days of your stay
Limited availability.
Excludes bank holidays.
Use code: EARLY20 Discount is applied automatically at checkout
Lock in 20% Early Bird SavingsOne date change permitted up to 14 days before arrival.
£50 discount on 3-night stays, Monday to Thursday. Limited availability.
Use code: MIDWEEK50 Discount is applied automatically at checkout
Book with £50 DiscountPrivate Hire Without the Venue Price Tag. Exclusive use of Rydal Lodge for birthdays, reunions and celebrations — premium setting, no corporate markup.
View Celebration OfferOur signature Beef Wellington is available exclusively to direct-booking groups of 8 guests or more staying at Rydal Lodge. Served as a shared meal for celebration, reunion and special-occasion stays. Vegetarian alternatives available by arrangement.
Enquire About Group DiningThe best places to stay for walking in the Lake District are those with direct access to footpaths, lakeside routes, and fell walks, ideally without needing to drive each day.
Areas between Ambleside and Grasmere are particularly well regarded, as they offer a balance of classic scenery, varied walking terrain, and easy access to villages. Rydal, which sits between Ambleside and Grasmere, provides convenient access to many well-known walking routes and classic Lakeland landscapes.
Many of the Lake District’s most rewarding walks were described by Alfred Wainwright, whose guides focus heavily on the fells and valleys around Ambleside, at the north-western edge of Lake Windermere. Staying in this central area places walkers close to gentle valley routes, well-known terraces, and longer fell walks, making it an ideal base for exploring the Lake District on foot.
Staying between Ambleside and Grasmere allows you to enjoy both villages without being based in a busy town centre. This central area offers easy access to well-known walks such as Rydal Water, Loughrigg Fell, Loughrigg Terrace, the Coffin Trail, and the Fairfield Horseshoe, while remaining quieter and more scenic than staying directly in town.
The commercial centre of the Lake District is Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, while Ambleside and Grasmere are smaller, historic villages with a strong sense of character. Although these villages can still be busy at peak times, many visitors prefer staying between Ambleside and Grasmere rather than in a town centre, as this offers a more peaceful experience, easier access to walks from the door, and fewer crowds, while remaining within walking distance or a short bus journey of both villages.
Staying in the Lake District without a car can be very practical, particularly if you choose a central location with good public transport and access to walks from the door. Rydal, located between Ambleside and Grasmere, is well served by local bus routes and connected by a dense network of footpaths, allowing visitors to explore lakes, valleys, and villages without needing to drive each day. Many walkers prefer this approach, as it avoids parking pressures and allows more flexible route planning, including point-to-point walks rather than returning to a car at the end of the day.
From Rydal, you can walk directly onto a wide range of routes without needing to drive or park. These include gentle lakeside walks around Rydal Water, classic routes such as Loughrigg Terrace, woodland and riverside paths, and longer fell walks linking into the surrounding valleys and higher ground. This makes it easy to choose walks of different lengths and difficulty straight from the door, whether you are looking for a short, relaxed walk or a full day on the fells.
Rydal has a small number of independent properties rather than large hotels, and group bookings are usually best suited to places where the whole house can be used by one group. Rydal Lodge, with eight guest rooms, is set up to accommodate this type of stay and is often chosen by walking groups, families, and friends who want to stay together in a quiet Lake District location.
Yes. Rydal Lodge works well for walking groups and friends travelling together, with eight guest rooms and shared spaces that allow groups to stay together comfortably while exploring the Lake District. Its location between Ambleside and Grasmere makes it easy to access a wide range of walks directly from the door. For groups staying together, Rydal Lodge can also offer group dining by prior arrangement, with set menus that are particularly popular for walking groups and celebration stays.
Rydal Lodge is a Grade II listed 16th-century country house set in a quieter location than nearby towns, while still being close to Ambleside and Grasmere. Its riverside setting, direct access to walking routes, and independent character make it a distinctive base for exploring the Lake District.
