Stock Ghyll Force Walk from Ambleside.
Waterfall Walk Right from Ambleside
We’ve done our fair share of waterfall walks in the Lake District, but this one really stood out, not because it’s the biggest or hardest to find, but because it’s just so accessible and magical for such a short walk.
If you ever find yourself in Ambleside, don’t miss the chance to visit Stock Ghyll Force. It’s tucked away behind the town and feels like a proper woodland escape… without needing to climb a mountain to get there!
How to find it
We started right in the centre of Ambleside, look out for Grain Coffee & Salad.
From there, we headed down the side road beside the café. You'll see a Barbour shop this is where you turn left and follow the winding road. That’s where the adventure begins!
It’s one of those little streets you might walk past without a second thought, but take it – you won’t regret it
💰 The Coin-Filled Tree Stump – The First Surprise!
On our way up, our children spotted something unusual – a tree stump filled with coins. We later found out it's called a wishing tree, and people have been tapping coins into it for years, usually as a good luck gesture.
The children were fascinated – and if you’ve got spare change, it’s fun to add one yourself (though it does take a bit of effort to tap it in!).
🚶♂️ The Route – Short, Simple, and Scenic
A little further up, there’s a sign pointing to the falls on the left-hand side. That’s your cue to leave the road and head into the woods. The whole circular walk probably took us around 45 minutes, but we took it slow – stopping for photos, snacks, and to just enjoy the sounds of the water and birdsong.
The path is well-marked and easy to follow, but be warned – it gets very muddy after rain, and some bits can be a bit slippy. Definitely wear decent footwear, even though it’s a short one.
It’s a great route for children, but do keep an eye on them around the waterfall viewpoints – there are some drop-offs and wet rocks.
🌊 Stock Ghyll Force – The Main Event
About halfway round the loop, we reached the star of the show – Stock Ghyll Force. We could hear it before we saw it – the rush of water crashing down 70 feet through the trees is pretty impressive.
There are two main viewpoints with railings, which are great for safely admiring the falls. We spent a good 10 minutes here, just listening and watching – it’s one of those places that completely soaks you in (and not just from the spray!).
🔐 Love Locks in the Woods
At one of the viewpoints, we noticed dozens of padlocks clipped to the railings. Like something out of Paris, people have left messages, initials, and symbols of love.
It was a lovely little surprise – a bit of romance hidden in the trees. The children enjoyed spotting the most unusual ones (someone had even used a pink heart-shaped lock!).
🏭 A Waterfall with a Working Past
What really made the walk even more interesting was finding out that Stock Ghyll once powered the local mills in Ambleside. You can still see some of the old mill buildings down in town – now turned into shops and cafés.
It’s mad to think that this beautiful stream once helped run the town. Nature and history all wrapped into one walk.
🧺 Picnic Benches & Peaceful Stops
There are a couple of picnic benches dotted along the route, so if you bring snacks or a flask, it’s a great place to stop and take it all in.
We didn’t rush this walk – it’s not about ticking something off a list, it’s about enjoying the calm, spotting little bits of wildlife, and maybe even letting the kids splash about in their wellies on the way back down.
🗺️ A Few Local Favourites Nearby
If you’re making a day of it in Ambleside, we’d definitely recommend a few extra stops nearby:
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Bridge House – That tiny, quirky building that sits right above the beck.
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Rydal Hall & Gardens – A beautiful spot with its own hidden waterfall and peaceful walks.
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Rydal Caves – One of our favourite family walks. A great mix of woods, views, and fun exploring for the kids.
🧭 Quick Tips Before You Go
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🥾 Wear boots or grippy shoes – it gets slippery!
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👧 Ideal for families – but keep children close near the viewpoints.
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📸 Bring a camera – especially after it’s rained, the waterfall is spectacular.
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⏱️ It’s short – 20–40 minutes depending on how long you stop.
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🐾 Dog-friendly – we saw lots of waggy tails on the trail!
🔗 Want to Try It Yourself?
We’ve added a link to the full route below, starting right from Ambleside town centre. It’s a walk we’d 100% recommend to other families, especially if you’ve got a spare hour and fancy some fresh air and waterfall wonder.
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