Ullswater, at roughly eight miles long and three quarters of a mile wide, is the second largest of Cumbria’s lakes, and yet has managed to avoid over-commercialisation. The lakes stretches in three “reaches” like a flopping boot – the toe from Pooley Bridge in the north past Howtown at its instep to the settlement of Martindale at the heel, the leg from there to the lovely waterfall of Aira Force, and the top bending down to Glenridding at the foot of Helvellyn. Having these three reaches means that a sense of mystery is retained while travelling its waters, with new views promised round the next bend. In the summertime this could be on one of the four steamers (actually diesel powered) running between Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, and Howtown. Two of the boats, Raven and Lady of the Lake, date from the last quarter of the 19th century. There is a lot more messing about in boats on Ullswater. This ranges from the serious stuff of the annual Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, a two race competition held on the first weekend of July, to hiring row-boats and canoes from Glenridding and Patterdale. Ullswater holds fascination for the fisherman too, being well stocked with brown trout, roach, and the inevitable pike in this region, but also housing an endangered and very strictly protected fish, the schelly, a salmonidae looking like a pale herring. Ullswater of course is not just the lake. Along the west shore there is the A592 Penrith to Windermere road for a quick view, but the less accessible eastern shore has one of the best lowland walks in the Lakes, from Howtown to Patterdale. In the spring naturally there are banks of daffodils, Wordsworth having been inspired by a visit here in 1802 to write his best-known work. For those preferring the more adventurous trek, Glenridding is a good start point for ascending the 3,116 foot peak of Helvellyn at the southern end of the lake, but there are too many hills and mountains to mention providing a dramatic backdrop to Ullswater, with hidden settlements and sites like Dunmallard Hill iron age fort dotted along Ullswater’s shores.
Budget
Patterdale Hotel *book online*
Cottage
Finkle Cottage
Rampsbeck Lodge
Holiday Park
Activities
Howtown Activity Centre(Adventure)
Parkfoot Trekking Centre(Riding)
Places to Stay near Ullswater
Royal Hotel (1.77 miles)
Nestled peacefully amongst the Eastern Lakeland Fells and located on many of the best-loved Lakeland walks, this charming country retreat is ideal for a peaceful break in Dockray.
Run by a charismatic ... More
The Royal at Dockray (1.77 miles)
Macdonald Leeming House (1.88 miles)
Waternook Lakeside Accommodation (1.96 miles)
Inn on the Lake (2.57 miles)
This 3 star quality hotel enjoys the most spectacular settings in the Lake District, Glenridding close to Patterdale in 15 acres of grounds with lawns sweeping to the shores of Lake ... More
Glenridding Hotel (2.66 miles)
The Best Western glenridding hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the lake district. Our village location is surrounded by mountains and ullswater, and there are fabulous walks literally on our doorstep. The more adventurous of ... More | visit website
Sharrow Bay Hotel (2.70 miles)
Sharrow Bay is a legend. Reputedly, the first ever country house hotel to be so called, its reputation as a magical luxury hotel is breathtakingly beautiful setting has spread world wide. Quite simply, Sharrow Bay ... More | visit website
Patterdale Hotel (2.88 miles)
With comfortable lounges and home-cooked food, The Patterdale Hotel is at the heart of Patterdale Village on the main Penrith to Windermere route.
Patterdale Hotel has comfortable en suite bedrooms in a ... More
Rampsbeck Country House Hotel (2.94 miles)
On the shore of Lake Ullswater, Rampsbeck is an elegant, private country house offering peace, pleasure and privacy. Rampsbeck has a restaurant with 3 AA Rosettes. The candlelit dining room has superb ... More
The Brackenrigg Inn (2.94 miles)
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