Rothay Park

Overview

Rothay Park is a gorgeous green space in the centre of Ambleside in the Lake District which is popular with both locals and visitors. The park features a full-size football pitch, a jungle-themed children’s play area, and natural rocky outcrops. It’s suitable for all ages and has accessible paths for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Rothay Park is also known as the gateway to some of the best walking in the Lake District and offers stunning views of the nearby fells. The River Rothay runs through the park, providing plenty of opportunities for playing pooh sticks or skimming stones.

What is there to do in Rothay Park?

At Rothay Park, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Children can play to their heart’s content while adults can admire the surrounding scenery. It’s the perfect spot for a stroll, a picnic, or to chill out with a good book.

Rothay Park is dog-friendly with lots of pawsome walks and places where they can run around off-lead. Dogs are welcome everywhere, with the exception of the children’s playground.

Children’s play area

Swing through the trees like a monkey or whizz down one of the slides in the children’s play area. This jungle-themed playground has equipment suitable for toddlers and junior school-age children, including swings, roundabouts, slides, climbing frames, and plenty of things to balance on.

Closeup of a persons hand climbing a rock

Natural rocky outcrops

Older children and teens can enjoy some free-range fun and fresh air as they scramble and climb over the natural rocky outcrops in the park.

Ground-level trampolines

Bounce the day away on Rothay Park’s ground-level trampolines, which kids will love. All the fun of an indoor trampoline park with added fresh air.

Family playing football on a summers day

Full-size football pitch

Take turns in goal as you dribble, pass, and shoot with the next David Beckham or Ella Toone. Don’t forget to keep score – the loser is on washing up duty back at the Youth Hostel!

Facilities at Rothay Park

Picnic benches

Pack up a picnic in the well-equipped self-catering kitchen at YHA Ambleside and head to the park. There are picnic benches where parents can relax and unpack a delicious spread as they watch the kids run off some energy.

There are also large grassy areas where you can lay a picnic blanket or bring some camping chairs to sit on. Children can run around and play ball games while adults enjoy a cold drink or a cuppa.

If you prefer to get out of the sun, the park features numerous large trees that provide ample shade.

Public toilets

By the entrance to the park, you’ll find public toilets. You can make use of the facilities here for a small charge and change children if you need to.

Rothay Park walks

As well as being a free place to visit in its own right, Rothay Park also serves as a gateway to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District. There are many options for walks starting in Rothay Park.

Walks starting in the park include:

Loughrigg Fell circular walk (6.5 miles/10.5 kilometres)
Rydal Hall and Gardens loop (4.3 miles/6.9 kilometres)
Lily Tarn loop (3.8 miles/6.1 kilometres)
Stepping stones loop (3.3 miles/5.3 kilometres)

Rothay Park Parkrun

Whether you feel the need to stretch your legs during your stay, or you’re a bona fide parkrun tourist, you’ll find the fantastic Rothay Park Parkrun race every Saturday at 9am in Rothay Park. This friendly free running event is 5km (3.1 miles) long, and you can choose to walk, run, jog, volunteer, or just spectate.

The route is mainly flat with a mixture of concrete paths and grass. The course is suitable for all ages and abilities, and it’s a fun, friendly running event, rather than a competition.

You can take in the wonderful views of the surrounding fells as you run and indulge in a post-parkrun coffee at nearby participating cafes, which offer a 10% discount to anyone taking part.

How to get to Rothay Park from YHA Ambleside

Rothay Park is in the town centre of Ambleside, next to St Mary’s Church.

Walking: Rothay Park is around a half an hour walk from YHA Ambleside. It is a pleasant walk through the town centre.

Public transport: You can catch the 555 bus from the Waterhead Inn stop near the Youth Hostel. Alight at Vicarage Road and from here it’s a five-minute walk to Rothay Park. The entire journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Driving: It’s a quick drive to Rothay Park from YHA Ambleside, taking less than 10 minutes, depending on traffic. There isn’t a specific car park for Rothay Park, but you can find pay and display car parks nearby, including: