The Bridge House Ambleside is a home perched on a bridge! But it is much more than what seems on the surface. It has two storeys that are stacked on top of each other. Both are reached by an exterior curving staircase. The roof is also composed of Lake District slate, which is common in this region. The house was built in 1825 and was originally called "The Pigeon House" because it had five rooms for rent. In 1860, it was bought by Henry Austin who turned it into a hotel. The first recorded sale of liquor in Britain took place here in 1845. However, not all of Ambleside's hotels were set up to provide accommodation. Some were only used for drinking alcohol. The Bridge House was one of these hotels. It was known as a "tippling-house" because of this purpose. Tipplers would come from far and wide to drink in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy some peace and quiet after a long journey. Ambleside is a small town in Cumbria, England. It is located on the shore of Windermere Lake at the foot of Bowness Hill. The town is famous for its many antique shops and popular tourist attraction, the Waterfront Centre. There are also several other interesting sights to see in Ambleside including St. Mary's Church and the Old School House Museum.