The Lake District is home to some of the UK’s most spectacular scenery and wildlife. In 2017, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ‘Cultural Landscape’, recognising how nature and human activity, such as farming, have shaped this beautiful place over time.
Ullswater, described by many as the most beautiful lake in the region, stretches for nine miles and is surrounded by fells, ancient woodland and mountains. It’s the second largest and second deepest lake in the Lake District. For much of its length, it forms the border between the historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland. The water flows south to north, gathering streams from the surrounding mountains before emerging as the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge.
At the northern end sits Pooley Bridge, known for its 16th-century bridge which was sadly washed away in the floods following Storm Desmond in 2015, overlooked be Dunmallet, site of an Iron Age fort. Pooley Bridge is a small village with lots happening. From Pooley Bridge, you can follow the Lake road round to Howtown. To the South is the village of Glenridding, the starting point for many iconic walks such as Hellvelyn’s Striding Edge and Catsycam. Glenridding also gives access to Kirkstone Pass towards Ambleside and Windermere, passing Brotherswater along the way. A bit further is Keswick, 30 minutes by car, a mountain town northeast of Ullswater.
Ullswater can also be explored by boat. Ullswater Steamers have sailed Lake Ullswater since 1855, and today five boats - the Lady of the Lake, Raven, Lady Dorothy, Lady Wakefield, and Western Belle - travel between Glenridding, Howtown, Aira Force and Pooley Bridge. Each journey takes about an hour, offering breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding fells. The steamers are dog-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friends along for the ride.
The Lake District is home to 214 Wainwright Fells - you can quite literally spend all day out on the fells if you want to! The fells around Ullswater are part of the Eastern and Far Eastern Fells, including Helvellyn, the third largest mountain in the Lake District. It features the famous ridges Striding Edge (not for the fainthearted) and Swirral Edge, which lead to the summit of Catstycam. Starting from Patterdale, - next village from Glenridding, Place Fell and Angle Tarn are both beautiful hikes.You can walk between the two and continue the journey over the fells all the way to Haweswater if you wanted to make a day of it. I could go on, pub walks, short walks, long walks - the list is endless!
If you’d rather stay a bit closer to lake level, there are plenty of beautiful walks to enjoy. One popular route is the Ullswater Way, which follows the entire perimeter of Ullswater and offers dramatic views of Place Fell, St Sunday Crag, and Fairfield from the East Side and Glenridding Dodd and Gowbarrow Fell as you walk along the West. You can join the Ullswater Way roughly 800 metres from High House Farm, which takes you to your first stop at Gowbarrow Fell and then on to Aira Force. Aira Force is one of the Lake District’s most famous waterfalls, with the main cascade dropping 70 feet below a stone footbridge. Plus there is a little cafe at Aira Force where you can recharge before you head back.
Whatever the time of year, Ullswater has plenty to enjoy from sailing, swimming and saunas to wildlife watching and scenic walks. It’s a lovely part of the Lake District to discover during your stay.
