This short easy Ambleside walk starts just a few paces away from the town centre

My husband who was born and brought up less than fifteen miles from Ambleside looked at me with utter disbelief when I told him we could fit in a walk; and at that one with a waterfall (of which he is particularly fond), as well as a scrumptious lunch one afternoon, this summer.

You don't need any hiking gear for this easy Ambleside walk - but, if it has been raining, then it will probably be a bit muddy underfoot.

Wheelchair/pushchair viewpoints mean that those who aren't able to complete the whole walk can still marvel at this lovely Lake District waterfall. What's more there is a disabled parking spot nearby, you'll find it if you drive up the road towards Stock Ghyll.

If you can resist stopping to take photographs then you could probably do this circular walk in about half an hour - it probably took us double that time. Certainly within minutes of seeing the full force of Stock Ghyll we found it hard to imagine that the bustling streets of Ambleside were just a few minutes walk away.

After the rain has fallen the rage of the Force (waterfall) is fabulously dramatic. In spring you will have the additional bonus of daffodils. Please, however, be aware that after the disabled / push-chair view point, parts of the route are unfenced to the waterfall. And so younger, enthusiastic, adventurers in your group might need to be reminded of the dangers of a slippery path and a charging waterfall....

This walk is circular and very clear to follow. For the best views follow the red arrow which will take you up the right hand side of the waterfall. The path has you cross over a bridge at the top so that you can walk down the other side allowing you to catch different views of the Force as you walk.

On this particular day my daughter was bursting to get to her Aunts to be with the horses but soon, she too, was captivated by the magic of Stock Ghyll Force and asking for a copper to add to the Money Tree.

Finding the start of Stock Ghyll Force Waterfall walk

You can start right from the high street near the Salutation Hotel, by taking the lane between Barclay's Banks and The Old Market Hall (now a restaurant). The start of the well marked path will be visible very quickly as you walk up Stock Ghyll Lane. Park in one of the town centre pay & display parking lots. There are also a few parking spots including a designated 'Disabled Parking Space' very close to the beginning of this walk.