Force Cafe & Terrace

Just a short wander from the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force, FORCE Café & Terrace is a brilliant Ambleside pit stop for walkers, families, and dogs who have opinions about how often breaks should happen. Whether you're strolling up to the falls or heading out on bigger routes over Wansfell, up to Kirkstone or beyond, this is the kind of place that feels like it was designed for that exact "we need food now" moment. It's walk-friendly first, but there is limited on-site parking, including two accessible bays, which is handy when your legs are already negotiating with you.

They're open every day for brunch and lunch, plus coffee, tea and cakes. Drinks are well covered too, with barista coffee from Cumbrian roasters Carvetii, a wide range of teas and soft drinks, plus local ales and a small but perfectly formed choice of wines and spirits. From April to October they also open Friday and Saturday evenings until 9pm, with pizzas served on the terrace, and bookings required.

Food is built around locally sourced ingredients, with freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries. There's also a small shop with locally sourced gifts and mementos, perfect for the classic Lake District souvenir moment. They also aim to be a force for good, donating 1% of turnover to charities involved in climate change and regenerative leadership via Tythe.org, so you can enjoy your cake with an extra side of "well, that's lovely".