Rydal

(See also Rydall Hall, Rydal Water, Rydal Mount and St Mary's Church)

Rydal is a small village beside Rydal Water and the river Rothay on the A591 north of Ambleside. A small hump back bridge named Pelter marks the village. Many of the homes are of grey stone.

Across the water Nab Scar rises, while on the other side of the village is Loughrigg fell. Rydal Mount, home of William Wordsworth, lies on the edge of the village. The church, St Marys, is beside the Mount. Rydall Hall is across from the church. The Badger Bar is the local pub. A cave is nearby.

Across Rydal Water is Nab cottage, a 1702 farmhouse, that was visited by Thomas de Quincey while he courted Margaret Simpson who lived there. The cottage is also associated with the oldest son of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Hartley, who purchased it and lived there. Another famous resident was Thomas Arnold, who inspired the novel, Tom Browns Schooldays.

Location Map of Rydal
Rydal is located one mile north-west of Ambleside on the A591.

Photos courtesy of Graeme Dougal, Julian Thurgood and Tony Richards

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