Bookends
This independent bookshop and cafe combination creates the perfect refuge from Lake District weather. Locally roasted coffee pairs beautifully with homemade cakes while you browse literary treasures and plan your next fell adventure.
About Bookends
## Literary Haven in the Heart of Ambleside
The High Street location puts Bookends at the heart of Ambleside's bustling centre, but step inside and tranquility takes over. Books line every wall while the aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air. This isn't just a bookshop with token refreshments, the cafe side takes food seriously with everything made fresh daily using local suppliers.
## What to Order
The full English breakfast uses bacon from nearby farms and comes with proper Cumberland black pudding. Homemade scones with local jam are exceptional, while the lemon drizzle cake has achieved legendary status among regular customers. Coffee comes from Carvetii in Penrith, roasted specifically for the Lake District's soft water.
## Browse and Plan
The walking guide section is comprehensive, featuring everything from gentle lakeside strolls to serious mountain challenges. Local history books reveal fascinating stories about your surroundings, while the fiction section includes many novels set in the Lakes. Staff know the area intimately and offer excellent recommendations for both books and walks.
## Perfect Timing
Morning visits catch the cafe at its freshest, with warm pastries emerging from the kitchen. Rainy afternoons transform this place into a cosy sanctuary where time disappears among the books. Weekend mornings can get busy with walkers fueling up, so midweek offers a more relaxed experience.