Villages around Ullswater
Around Ullswater are the small Lake District villages of Glenridding, Patterdale, Pooley Bridge, Dacre, Hartsop and Howtown.
These peaceful villages are nestled amongst the dramatic landscapes around Ullswater, whilst the popular Glenridding is a hub for those exploring Helvellyn and Ullswater lake. Public transport stops at a number of these villages, and they can be explored on foot or on an accessible Miles Without Stiles route.
Glenridding
This small village at the foot of Ullswater is a popular starting point for walkers and climbers going up Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain – includes Striding and Swirral Edges.
- You can catch steamers from here – see Ullswater ‘Steamers’ for timetables.
- You can hire rowing boats and bicycles in the summer from St Patricks Boat Landing and get tuition or hire canoes from the Sailing Centre in the village.
- There are a selection of shops. Pop into our Information Centre next to the car park for gifts, books, maps and lots of local knowledge!
- There are two hotels, B&B and self catering properties in the village, many are family and dog-friendly. There is also a campsite, bunkhouse and Youth Hostel.
Patterdale
This village is just shy of the shores of Ullswater. It includes a pub, hotel and a post office. It’s a welcome refuelling stop for hikers coming down off the fells. It is named after the legend that Saint Patrick converted many local people to Christianity here in the early 5th century. St Patrick’s church is well worth a visit. The present church replaced a church built about 1600.
Pooley Bridge
A picturesque village at the northeast end of Ullswater. The river Eamont meanders through its collection of houses and pubs. Close to Pooley Bridge is the historic Dalemain House and Rheged Visitor Centre.
Howtown
This ‘steamer’ stop is half way along the lake. Wainwright called the walk from Howtown back to Glenridding to be “the most beautiful of lake walks in the National Park”.
Brotherswater and Hartsop
This small lake south of Ullswater is at the foot of Kirkstone Pass. There is a footpath around it, although it does not hug the shoreline completely. It used to be called Broad Water but was renamed after two brothers drowned there in the 19th century. Low Hartsop is a cluster of stone cottages once used for wool spinning. Several date from the 17th century and still have their external spinning galleries.
Dacre
This small scenic village has the remains of a castle with a well preserved 14th century keep. Please note the castle is private. In St Andrew’s churchyard there are four stone bears which may have come from the four corners of the keep.
Spectacular scenery
The dramatic boulder landscape around Kirkstone Pass and the wildlife-rich, historic area of Martindale are classic Ullswater landscapes. Not to mention Ullswater lake itself.
Ullswater carves a roughly northeastward path from the high central fells of the Helvellyn and High Street massif to meet the gentle Eden Valley. The valley is a popular starting point for outdoor-goers, and the 14.5 kilometre-long, dog-legged lake that shares the valley name is the second largest in the Lake District, after Windermere.
Ullswater lake map and guide
Read our simple water activities guide and map for Ullswater, explaining the activities you can do.
Please ensure you’re aware of relevant speed limits and byelaws and to remember to check, clean and dry your equipment to help stop dangerous invasive species from spreading between different areas.
Kirkstone Pass
The Lake District’s highest pass runs between Windermere and Ullswater. It is is named after “Kirkstone”, a large boulder at the top. The road from Ambleside to the top is called The Struggle for good reason! Kirkstone Pass is steep and should be driven with care. If you are after a stress-free journey, hop on the Ullswater 508 bus, operated by Stagecoach.
The Kirkstone Pass inn at the top is England’s third highest pub.
Martindale
The fells above Martindale are home to England’s oldest native herd of red deer. The ancient deer forest is centred on The Nab but the deer range all over the fells into Mardale and Kentmere. The church of St Martin’s was built in 1634. The enormous yew tree in the churchyard is said to be more than one thousand years old. The Church of St Peter’s was built in 1882 to replace the old church.
Routes around Ullswater
As the second largest body of water in the Lake District, many routes stem from the area.
Visitors to the area range from experienced fell hikers to users of our Miles Without Stiles accessible routes. Join a free guided walk or discover a route to walk, run or cycle.
Miles without Stiles routes, easy access routes
The Ullswater area has 2 easy-access routes suitable for those with limited mobility, wheelchairs, trampers, pushchairs, visual impairments, young children and legs that need care. The routes have no stiles and are graded for some, many or all with descriptions on length, terrain, path type and facilities.
- 1. Miles Without Stiles – Pooley Bridge to Gale Bay (1.1 miles)
- 2. Miles Without Stiles – Brothers Water (2.3 miles)
The Ullswater Way
This 20 mile route around the lake has boat and bus stopping points, so you can walk it all or do a smaller section combined with a cruise on the water. Visit our Ullswater Way page and watch our video to see some of the spectacular views, then download the maps and plan your walk!
Hiking up Helvellyn
At 950 metres above sea level, Helvellyn is the third highest peak in England. On its eastern side, two sharp aretes lead off the summit of Striding and Swirral Edge. The knife-edged Striding Edge provides one of the best known scrambles in the Lake District.
- There are different ways to reach the summit, but all of them require you to be properly equipped. Please take a look at our checklist for walkers.
- Fell Top Assessors climb Helvellyn daily in winter to report Weatherline conditions. Join them on a Winter Skills Course to learn how to enjoy fells safely.
- Pop into Ullswater Information Centre for great advice on climbing Helvellyn.
Image credit: Steve Ashworth
Attractions and places to visit near Ullswater
Lowther Castle and gardens
Dramatic ruins, gardens within gardens, and one of the UK’s largest adventure playgrounds. Lowther won the Large Visitor Attraction of the year 2018 at the Cumbria Tourism Awards, and exploring the innovative renovation of this historic castle and grounds you’ll see why. Shop, cafés, free car parking and cycle hire make this a full day out.
Getting to and around Ullswater
Ullswater can be access from either end of the valley, with great public transport options available.
Ullswater is a popular spot year round. Take in the incredible scenery on the bus or check out our cycling, walking and Miles Without Stiles routes above to make travel an exciting part of your day.
Bus fares are currently capped in England, so you will pay no more than £3 for any single journey. For exploring more there are great deals including the Ullswater and Penrith DayRider ticket. Your ticket allows you to travel all day on the bus through the Ullswater valley, from Penrith to Pooley Bridge down to Glenridding and Patterdale and a stop at the stunning Aira Force waterfalls. You can buy your ticket on the bus with contactless payment available.
- More details on fares can be found on the Stagecoach website
- Real time information and online tickets are easy to view on the handy Stagecoach bus app
Ullswater 508 bus
Running every day of the week and operated by Stagecoach, this is the main connection from Penrith bus or rail station to the Ullswater valley. Buses stop at Yanwath, Pooley Bridge, Aira Force, Glencoyne Bay, Glenridding and Patterdale. Find more details on the Stagecoach website.
Park and ride from Penrith
You can park in Penrith and get the 508 bus into the Ullswater Valley, some buses will be open top to really soak the views of the lake and fells. If you park at Lowther, you can hire a bike and take the off-road bridleways into Ullswater. There’s also bike hire at Glenridding at the southern end of the lake, so catch the bus down and then explore!
Bus and boat combo ticket
Take a cruise on the Ullswater Steamer and combine it with bus travel anywhere in Cumbria for the day. You can buy your ticket on the bus, A great way to get to the Ullswater Valley, and combine a cruise on the lake with a walk and some sightseeing, with an easy way back to your starting point.
Pop in for help and advice
We can help you with booking tickets or attractions, finding walking routes including Helvellyn, and we have a great range of books and guide books. We are next to the car park in Glenridding - do pop in and take a look around Ullswater Information Centre.
