Ambleside's Coffee Culture

Ambleside's Coffee Culture

I’ve drank a lot of coffee in my time and so have come up with these top five coffee houses to start you off on your caffeine cruise of Ambleside - each one best suited to a different occasion.

Kysty - Sit n’ study

Cappuccino - £2.60


This modest cappuccino ticks all the boxes. A quality buy - smooth and sweet - but perhaps lacking the pazzaz of its competitors. The simplistic nature of this humble drink makes it the prime suiter for a study session companion.

Ambleside Coffee Blog 1, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A Close up of a cup of coffee

The venue is reasonably large and a tourist hotspot (decide amongst yourselves if this is a benefit or not). However, on weekdays this attractive cafe is quite quiet, and therefore a potentially productive space to bash out an essay or two.


Additionally, if you’re not a coffee drinker, my friend rates the hot chocolate here. In his words exactly,  “It’s damn good”.


Rattle Ghyll - Finest Lunch

Cappuccino - £2.50 (and a cheeky salad £4)

Ambleside Coffee Blog 5, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A fancy coffee placed on a table which has a out line of Windermere on it.

Biscotti! And brilliant biscotti at that! A biscuit is always a marvelous companion to the coffee presented, especially when it’s this little Italian delight.  


There was no plan to get food but the salads on display were just too tempting, and in the end it was worth the impromptu meal. A mash of spectacular flavours assembled into one scrumptious dish, a nice injection of vitamins too (a shout for the lazy student).

Ambleside Coffee Blog 6, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A close up of people's food

It’s a beautiful venue, with lake district tables created by local artist Jack Simpson. We also found it a smashing location to work on some editing, with a spacious area and lashings of natural light.

Ambleside Coffee Blog 7, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A photo of a cafe that serves a variety of cakes. There are also people sat enjoying their hot drinks and socialising.

The cosy venue suited the commendable beverage.

 

The Mountain Coffee - Most needed

White Coffee - £1.00 or less


Okay so technically it’s not a coffee shop, but if we’re exploring Lake District coffee custom, it would only be fair to give it a mention. In my (flawed) opinion, a flask on the mountain is as crucial as my coat and compass - dare I say more so.

Ambleside Coffee Blog 4, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A group of people enjoying a hike in the damp weather. The person taking the photo is holding a warm cup of coffee.

Weak in flavour but plentiful in spirit, the mountain coffee does well to drum up morale in all conditions. For me, it’s a cup of non brand instant with copious amounts of milk and honey.


Fresher’s Cafe - Group favourite

Cappuccino - £2.50


Definitely the most student friendly, with a team of amiable staff who will accommodate groups of all sizes. It’s a personal post-swim recovery spot for my clan as we’ll often recharge here with their delicious array of homemade cakes.


I highly rate the coffee here too - a good froth on the cappuccino, and they whip up a delightful hazelnut latte. If you want an all round quality experience away from the occasionally hustling streets this is a solid bet.


Be aware however, that this venue is not on Google maps, and so to find it head out of Ambleside a little, towards Windermere, and you’ll come across it on the right side of the road.


The Copper Pot - Top Coffee

Black Coffee - £2.40


‘Top Coffee’ has got to be the highest accolade I can award, and wow these folks deserve it. Secreted away on one of Ambleside’s quiet streets, this externally humble cafe is home to my most highly regarded coffee of the lot.

Ambleside Coffee Blog 3, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A photo of a wall which as the letters CP on it and some other storage decorations

They delivered a strong coffee (on request), the beans of which having being sourced and roasted locally. Bought from a Mr Duffin’s Coffee in Staveley, the cup of “juicy gossip” roast I devoured had a marvellous kick. Very tasty, and frankly unrivaled - I will be returning for round 2, and with friends!

Ambleside Coffee Blog 2, Ambleside Coffee Blog: A smiling female, who works at the cafe

Charming venue and staff mirror the quality of the coffee.


It’s hard to chose just a few from the sea of coffee outlets in Ambleside, but these are my five personal champions. A bunch of cracking outfits that I thoroughly recommend, each differently suited to a variety of occasions. I hope you’ll all go out and experience the deliciousness they have to offer.

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