Rydal Hall Bunkhouse Ambleside Cumbria
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Rydal Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LX
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Accommodation & Residential | Bunkhouses | Camping and Glamping | Residential School Trips | Lake District Tours
What we offer on a school trip
Our newly refurbished Bunkhouse sleeps 28 guests with its own lounge, dining area, kitchen and shower facility. There are two ensuite dorms, plus one fully accessible. Right in the heart of the fells between Ambleside and Grasmere, so perfect for walking, cycling and outdoor pursuits.
Rydal Hall has a 30-bedroom hotel with its own Chapel overlooking the Grade II Thomas Mawson Garden. The bar and teashop are perfectly placed on well walked Old Coffin route between Ambleside and Grasmere—a spacious campsite for up to 80 guests plus Eco-pods. On the grounds are two-holiday cottages; the Coach House sleeps 10, and Stable Cottage sleeps 5.
Stroll through the Thomas Mawson Gardens and Quiet Gardens, or take in the views at the stunning Grot, one of Britain’s earliest examples of a viewing station.
We are 1.7 miles to Ambleside, 2.8 miles to Grasmere, and 6.1 miles to Windermere. A vast range of outdoor adventure activities is available around Ambleside and Windermere, ranging from abseiling and climbing to bushcraft and sailing.
Explore the atmospheric Rydal Caves, only a 25-minute walk. Rydal Water, Loughrigg Fell, Nabscar, and the Fairfield Horseshoe are at your doorstep.
What makes us a great choice for education
When you stay at Rydal Hall Bunkhouse, you will have excellent access to the spectacular scenery of local fells and lakes within the South Lake District. We’re easily accessible via public transport.
As we are set on 40 acres, your group can explore the area’s unique nature, waterfalls and woodland throughout Rydal Hall Estate and beyond.
You can book the bunkhouse as a self-catering holiday or discuss our catering options.
We offer indoor and outdoor classrooms for your group.
This makes a fantastic choice for walking, cycling, educational and outdoor activity groups who want budget accommodation in the Lake District.
What is typically included on our school trips
Educational groups can practice orienteering activities around the grounds and develop forest skills.
For groups interested in discovering and learning about wildlife, the Estates team can teach how to build bug hotels. All materials will be provided. You can contact us to discuss this further.
Rydal Hall Estate is a perfect base for cycling; popular destinations are the routes from Ambleside to Windermere, Ambleside to Hawkshead, Ambleside to Coniston, and the tour of the Langdales, amongst others.
There are excellent local routes. You can start right from the bunkhouse doorstep on the Coffin route towards Grasmere and do a circular walk around Grasmere Lake, Rydal Water and back to the bunkhouse at Rydal Hall.
If the group feels more adventurous, you can do the Fairfield Horseshoe. Start the route from just outside the estate and will end up in Ambleside.
Outdoor rock climbing in the Langdale area at under 6 miles. You can also head to the climbing wall in Ambleside, which is over a mile for indoor climbing.
Water sports in Windermere Lake at only 6 miles too.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Groups can take photos and videos, and you can tag us on social media @rydalhall
Drones are not permitted on-site.
Available Facilities
Rydal Hall Bunkhouse has the following facilities available:
- The communal room has sofas and a wood burner on the first floor. One bag of logs is complimentary, with additional bags available to purchase from reception.
- The fully equipped kitchen is beside the communal room and includes a cooker, microwave, crockery, cutlery, and cooking utensils. With extra shelving for better storage of food and drinks.
- Brand new floors on the downstairs showers with comfortable and spacious facilities for guests to hang their belongings inside and outside.
- The downstairs toilets have also added shelves to leave toiletries.
- Drying room on the ground floor.
- Free WIFI
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
We have wheelchair accessibility to the property, an accessible toilet and a stair-lift to the lounge area.
Opening Hours & Information
The bunkhouse is open all year round except the Christmas period – 24 to 27 December each year.
Other Information
Our ideal location offers an environment of peace and tranquility where you can connect with nature and enhance your well-being.
There is excellent access to fells, mountains, forests, and paths to explore.
If you would like a quiet time, you can also visit our Chapel in the main hall.
Location Information
Rydal Hall Bunkhouse is part of the Lake District National Park, UNESCO and UK’s largest World Heritage Site.
This property sits within Rydal Hall Estate; it’s ideally located on the popular hiking path called the Coffin route, which takes walkers from Ambleside to Grasmere and back.
We have an onsite tea shop overlooking Rydal Beck, a Thomas Mawson Garden, and a Quiet Garden that leads to the Grot, which beautifully frames the waterfalls.
Rydal Water, Nabscar, Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Horseshoe are at your doorstep.
Rydal Mount, the home of William Wordsworth, is only a 2-minute walk.
Hilltop Beatrix Potter’s 17th-century farmhouse retreat is a 20-minute drive.
There is regular public transport at the foot of the estate. If you are coming by car, there is easy access from the M6 (J36 from the South, -23 miles, J40 from the North, 28 miles) A591 to Rydal, turn right at the sign of Rydal Hall (near Rydal Church), turn first right after 200 yards.
Room Sizes and Facilities
- Room 1 – sleeps 3 (A single bed and one bunk bed with an accessible toilet and a wet washroom)
- Room 2 – sleeps 6
- Room 3 – sleeps 9 (This will also have a single bed)
- Room 4 – sleeps 10
The three and 6-bed dorms are en-suite. The nine and 10-bed dorms use toilets and showers on the ground floor. The rate includes pillows and pillowcases, but guests supply all other bedding.
