Ullswater
Accommodation★ 5.0 (1)
Another Place, The Lake
A relaxed contemporary hotel on the shores of Ullswater, combining stylish rooms, suites, cottages, shepherd huts and a treeh…
AccommodationFood and DrinkHotel
A dramatic lake of steamers, trails and mountain views
Ullswater
Ullswater stretches from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding through one of the Lake District’s most dramatic valleys, offering cruises, shoreline walks, waterfalls and high fells.
Know before you go
Your guide to Ullswater
Ullswater stretches from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding through one of the Lake District’s most dramatic valleys, offering cruises, shoreline walks, waterfalls and high fells.
The lake changes character from gentler northern shores to steep mountain scenery beneath Helvellyn. Historic steamers connect key points, while Aira Force, the Ullswater Way and numerous viewpoints provide options for a wide range of abilities.
Visitors can build days around boat and walking combinations, watersports, family attractions or serious fell routes. Pooley Bridge and Glenridding provide the main visitor hubs, with quieter bays and hamlets between them.
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Ullswater
Arrive prepared
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Practical planning
Make the most of Ullswater
Quick answers for choosing when to go, shaping your stay and getting there without the guesswork.
Best time to visit
May to October offers the broadest transport and activity choice; spring and autumn provide outstanding scenery with fewer peak crowds.
Plan it well
Parking fills early in good weather, so use buses and steamers where possible. Check cruise timetables and weather. Mountain and open-water activities require suitable skills, equipment and safety planning.
Getting there
The A592 follows much of Ullswater, with bus links from Penrith and the central Lakes. Penrith is the nearest mainline station. Steamers connect Pooley Bridge, Howtown and Glenridding seasonally.
Guide checked and reviewed July 2026Local details can change, so check live travel and opening information before setting off.