Chapel Stile

Overview

Chapel Stile is a beautiful village near Ambleside in the Lake District. The picturesque village is nestled in the Great Langdale valley and surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. It makes for a great place to start or finish a walk, or somewhere to explore in its own right on a rainy day (brollies may be required!).

Many of the grey-blue buildings in the village are made from local slate, and so Chapel Stile wouldn’t look out of place in North Wales. However, it is perfectly placed here, near to Langdale, Elterwater, and Ambleside. In this quaint Cumbrian village, there’s a church, a pub, a shop, and a post office.

Things to do in Chapel Stile

Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church is a neo-Gothic building dating back to 1858. Inside, you’ll find a peaceful atmosphere and plenty to look at. The stained glass windows depicts the nativity and the crucifixion, as well as scenes from the surrounding landscapes featuring water, birds, and a red squirrel.

The church is also home to the Millennium Tapestry, which was embroidered by local women and school children. It tells the story of the Langdale valley from glacial times right through to the present day.

Swimmer wearing a wetsuit wading into a lake

Wild swim at Blea Tarn

Just outside Chapel Stile, you’ll find Blea Tarn, a secluded mountain lake and a relatively safe place to take a dip. The water here is shallow and still, making it slightly warmer (although still chilly!) than other lakes and rivers in the Lake District. It’s perfect for your first wild swim, or for paddling with the kids.

If you’re going to try wild swimming, remember to bear in mind the conditions and take local advice. Always swim with a buddy, take a float, and keep a close eye on children.

Wainwrights Inn

If you need a bit of refreshment after all that exploring, stop off for a pint and a bite to eat at Wainwrights Inn. If you’re a fan of real ales, you’ll find a great selection of local ales, plus some from further afield. There’s a lunch and dinner menu with hearty options as well as Sunday roasts.

The building itself has a rich history, having served as a farmhouse, a petrol station, and a hotel in previous lives. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after exploring the fells.

As well as Wainwrights Inn in the village, there are some other pubs around a 50-minute walk away, along the quiet B5343 road. Try the New Dungeon Ghyll, where you can indulge in some pub classics.

The pub is named after the nearby Dungeon Ghyll ravine, where there is an impressive 40-foot (12-metre) waterfall.

Group of three black and white sheep under a tree with rolling hills in the background

Spot a Herdwick

Once bred by Beatrix Potter herself, Herdwick sheep are found all over the Lake District – in fact, 95% of all Herdwick sheep can be found here! They are recognisable for their cute faces and lambs that are born black, before lightening. They are bred to be hardy and tough, so the Lake District is the perfect home for them.

Due to the wool trade, sheep farming has historically been a primary livelihood in Chapel Stile. Here, you won’t just see them gracing the fells. You might also see one wandering down the road or having a snack in a resident’s garden!

Walks from Chapel Stile

Because of its stunning location, there are plenty of fell walks that you can do around Chapel Stile.

Here is just a selection of walks starting in or near Chapel Stile:

New Dungeon Ghyll to Elterwater: A 3.7-mile (6-kilometre) linear walk with an easy start and a challenging section in the middle
Chapel Stile to Blea Tarn: An 8-mile (12.8 kilometre) stroll along the Great Langdale valley. Stop for a quick dip in Blea Tarn and a drink at the Old Dungeon Ghyll before catching the bus back to the starting point
Silver Howe: A short, sharp descent to this beautiful peak from Chapel Stile for incredible views over the nearby Langdale Pikes. This walk is around 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) long

History of Chapel Stile

There is evidence of people living at Chapel Stile dating back to the Bronze Age, making for a fascinating history. Many of the buildings that stand in the village now date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, so you can enjoy a wander around, seeing what you can spot. The village was once important in the UK’s wool trade.

How to get to Chapel Stile from YHA Ambleside

Chapel Stile is around 5 miles (8 kilometres) from YHA Ambleside. The best ways to get there are either by driving or by bus.

Public transport: There is a direct bus route that serves Chapel Stile. It’s about an 18-minute walk to the bus stop at Riverside Lodge before catching the 516 bus to Langdale C of E Primary School, which should take approximately 18 minutes.

If you don’t want to walk as far to begin with, you can hop on the 599 bus to Grasmere at Ambleside Pier (Waterhead), just a stone’s throw from the hostel. You’ll then need to change to the 516 bus at the Bus Interchange.

By car: Driving from YHA Ambleside to Chapel Stile takes around 15 minutes. On-street parking is available in the village.