Ambleside is a small town in the middle of the English Lake District and is an easy 55 mile drive from Preston. Althernatively there are trains and buses although none will take you direct.
There are trains direct to Windermere station or you can change at Oxenholme and get the local train. There is almost always a bus at Windermere station going north. Kendal is another option for getting the bus to Ambleside. Many of the buses are open top upstairs.
Ambleside sits at the north end of Lake Windermere, the centre being around a mile from the Pier Head. A small bus-like vehicle picks up people, for a fee, from the boat to take them to the centre if they don’t want to walk.
Other features in Amblesdie are the walk up to the waterfalls or to Wansfell from behind the Salutation. Also round Wansfell fom across from Hayes Garden Centre via Skelghyll Wood. The Coffin Walk to Grasmere.
Another good easyish trip is to get the ferry to Wray Castle. Then walk to either the car fery or the launch jetty a bit further up. There’s a walkers ticket on Lakeland Steamers to take in this rriangular boat trip, although the car ferry has to be paid separate, it’s very cheap.