Ullswater

Ullswater at night

Ullswater is the Lake District’s second largest lake, at 9 miles long and ¾ mile wide. It is best known for its fleet of steamers that provide lake cruises with various stopping points around the shore.

The lake is a popular place for sailing, allowing you to get onto the lake for different viewpoints. Ullswater has a distinctive 'Z' shape as a result of its formation from three separate glaciers during the last ice age. The lake is overlooked by the spectacular Helvellyn and High Street to its south-eastern side which are best accessed from Glenridding allowing elevated viewpoints over the lake..

Parking is available in the villages of Pooley Bridge (on the northern shore) and Glenridding (on the southern shore). Various parking spots are also available along the main A592 road which follows the western shore of the lake. Not all parking spots provide direct access to the lake shore but access tends to be more available towards the southern shore around Glenridding.

The Duke of Portland boat house at Pooley Bridge is probably one of the most famous and photographed buildings in the Lake District. Its location makes it ideally suited for sunrise and early morning photos. Parking is available in a layby on the A592 right opposite the boathouse and you can photograph it from the road, but you need to be careful as the road is narrow and busy with no footpath. Tripods are not advised due to the traffic. There is a 1m drop from the road down to the lake shore if you are more agile, although the ground is boggy and may be submerged after heavy rain. The boathouse is now a holiday rental apartment so you may encounter holiday makers on its iconic balcony overlooking the lake.

View across Ullswater from Gowbarrow on the A592, towards Sandwick Bay and Martindale

The jetty at Howtown on the south-eastern side of the lake

There is also a single track road that leads from the village of Pooley Bridge along the south-eastern edge of the lake to Martindale that also has a number of parking spots, including at the church at Hause Farm. Beyond this point the road becomes very narrow with very few passing points.

Looking back towards Ullswater from the narrow road to Martindale

On the other side of the lake there is a circular walk up to Aira Force waterfall (signposted) with gentle slopes, a beautiful waterfall, and various points of interest including a tree trunk filled with coins, as well as the shop and café run by the National Trust. The waterfall is one of the highest in the Lake District at 20m and has an old stone bridge at the top which adds interest. The path is well maintained and suitable for all but it can be a challenge for the photographer as the bottom of the falls can be very dark. If you continue on past the falls you come to another waterfall, High Force, which provides further photographic opportunities.

Continuing on from Glenridding along the A592 you arrive at the Kirkstone Pass. This pass offers spectacular views and just before the summit there is a small car park at Red Pit that provides wonderful views over Brother’s Water, a small lake, with large boulders that can be used for foreground interest.

St Peter’s Church in Martindale

Getting There:

From Penrith /M6 J40 follow the A66 westbound until the first roundabout.. Take the second exit, A592 that leads to Pooley Bridge and Glenridding. The road along reaches the lake at its northern shore. Turn left towards Pooley Bridge for the famous Ullswater boat house and pier, or turn right to continue along the shore of the lake towards Glenridding

Hause From Parking Grid Ref: NY 434 184

Aira Force Parking Grid Ref: NY 401 200