The Bridge House
The Bridge House
4
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
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Bridge House stands over Stock Beck in the middle of Ambleside as a quirky reminder of Ambleside’s past; it is a 17th-century survivor. Thousands of visitors come every year to see it and have their picture taken but few actually know much of its varied past. So if you’re in Ambleside, why not wander down to Stock Beck and have a look at Ambleside’s most curious relic? The closest parking is at Rydal Road car park (not NT, charges apply). Use LA22 9AY for Satnav. On foot, turn right out of the car park, Bridge House is situated on the right, just a very short walk along the pavement.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
404 reviews
Excellent
155
Very good
188
Average
57
Poor
4
Terrible
0
OutDog
Basildon, UK58 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
An overrated photo attraction. But … hey, ho, each to their own.
Ambleside: I personally didn’t like the place.
Early December and too busy. I get that the Lake District can be popular at any time of the year simply due to its geological U.K. location, but it’s a tourist grinding machine. Parking through the area is charged virtually everywhere and some car parking machines only take cash due to rural location. I found locals to be unfriendly, including businesses, but maybe because they’ve had busy seasons with no respite in sight. They will though happily take your tourist money.
Ambleside: I personally didn’t like the place.
Early December and too busy. I get that the Lake District can be popular at any time of the year simply due to its geological U.K. location, but it’s a tourist grinding machine. Parking through the area is charged virtually everywhere and some car parking machines only take cash due to rural location. I found locals to be unfriendly, including businesses, but maybe because they’ve had busy seasons with no respite in sight. They will though happily take your tourist money.
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NKay
North East England, UK1,673 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
We couldn’t come to the lake district without coming to see the Bridge House. We parked in Rydal Road carpark. It was a wet and drizzly day but it was still difficult to find a spot. It was around 1pm and we circled the carpark 4 times before we saw someone making their way back to their car. It cost £2.40 to park for an hour and it is only a 2 minute walk from the car park to the Bridge House. There was a lot of people about also wanting to see the house so you have to be patient. It is a lovely little house and I am glad we came to see it. There are some lovely little bars and eateries about and a queen Victoria post box in the wall a minutes walk away.
It is a must see if you are in the area.
It is a must see if you are in the area.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain22,481 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Bridge House is a stone house located in Ambleside, a town in Lakes District, in England. It is a nice house and probably the most known building in the town. It is on a river, so a photo of this river, the house and surroundings is beautiful.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jade2102
Lancaster, UK383 contributions
Aug 2022
Lovely little 'tiny' house over the River Rothay. It is usually closed so don't make a special trip thinking you can get inside to have a look. But it is a lovely, quirky building to behold on a walk around the town. Easily missed if it is busy or you don't know where to look.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine K
Barnsley, UK1,084 contributions
Jul 2022
Visiting Ambleside while the man and boy go mountain climbing. I was doing a geocaching adventure lab which brought me to this place, that I haven't been to in years. Its so small, anyone walking past could easily miss it. I took an open top bus back to Keswick and the guide said it was built as an apple store, and built over the beck to avoid paying land tax. Its good that the National Trust is preserving this unusual building
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,808 contributions
Mar 2022
A quirky house built on what appears to be an arched bridge over the River Rothy. Not currently open, but from the outside, it’s possible to look in. Doesn’t seem to be much to see anyway. Looks like two small rooms, one downstairs and the other upstairs. An interesting and quirky landmark, but don’t go out of the way to see it.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather KW
Birmingham, UK19 contributions
Jul 2020
Glad we got to see this historic monument and take pictures outside it. Only reason I'm giving 4 and not 5 is that I don't think you should worry if you don't get to see it. It's a 10 minute visit at the most and is interesting for the fact that this was built so long ago and has been maintained. Read the history of the Bridge House online before visiting to make it more meaningful.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,457 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Beautiful old building from 17th Century that is fascinating to see and very picturesque for photographs. Come early if you want good photos as it gets busy. There is a nice cafe/pub behind it that is nice to sit on a warm day.
Written July 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ljubica B
London, UK7,748 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Beautiful small house. I was in love with the stone house architecture …. The location is just simple stunning…. The house has even a balcony…. Ideal spot to seat a relax drinking coffee, tea or just water. Is like be in fairytales land
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mintcake58
Liverpool, UK1,649 contributions
This unusual little house straddles the river adjacent to the main road through Ambleside and is its most recognisable building. It used to be a local National Trust office, but this is now closed, so it is no longer possible to climb the little stone steps and view the interior. A great shame.
However, no visit to this busy little town would be complete without at least taking a photo opportunity here.
However, no visit to this busy little town would be complete without at least taking a photo opportunity here.
Written December 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you able to give me a bit more information about the Chairmaker who is supposed to have lived with his large family in the tiny Bridge House, please? Was he known as 'Chairy' somebody? What sort of chairs did he make in those mighty cramped conditions?
My mobile 'phone number is 07885-810342.
Many thanks,
Jonathan Ward.
Written November 14, 2015
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