Generally considered to be England’s most beautiful lake, Ullswater, on the northeast side of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, is also the country’s second largest. Approximately 7.5 miles in length and shaped like an elongated letter “z,” Ullswater is a popular destination for hiking, sailing, camping, swimming, and picnicking. It is also known as the “Dark Lake” and is linked to the legend of King Arthur, Medieval monsters and the ghosts of tragic lovers.
The Beauty of Cumbria and Ullswater
Cumbria, located in the northwest corner of England, is bordered by Scotland on the north, the Irish Sea on the west, and the Pennines mountain range on the east. England’s highest mountains (between 3000 and 3200 feet) are all located in Cumbria, offering breathing views that for centuries have lured artists, photographers, authors and other travelers.
Ullswater, formed eons ago by receding glaciers, is surrounded by ancient mountains called fells that rise sharply from the shoreline to heights of several hundred feet. The fells offer hikers and walkers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. While visiting Ullswater, the poet, William Wordsworth, was inspired to write his poem “Daffodils” after seeing a “host of golden daffodils” growing beside the lake.
Ullswater Activities and Lake District Walks
Ullswater offers endless opportunities for boating and watersports. Several sailing schools can be found here as well as canoe, kayak, rowboat, and sailboat rentals. Small, motorized boats are allowed, but speeds must be kept to 10 miles per hour or less. However, this wasn’t the case in July 1955 when Donald Campbell set the world water speed record of over 202 miles per hour.
Some of the most enjoyable Lake District walks can be found at Ullswater, and clearly marked trails into the fells and along the lakeshore afford breathtaking scenic views. One popular route runs for approximately 6.5 miles from Patterdale to Howtown along the eastern shore of the lake and at several elevations on the hillside. Another path leads from Glenridding to Helvellyn (elevation 3118 feet), England’s third highest mountain.
Patterdale, Pooley Bridge, and Glenridding
The Lake District has many quaint and picturesque towns and villages, three of which are on Ullswater. The village of Patterdale is at the south end of the lake and is the starting point for several Ullswater walks. Patterdale has a lovely circa 1853 stone church, the White Lion Inn pub and the Patterdale Hotel.
One mile north of Patterdale and directly on the lake is the village of Glenridding, home of the Ullswater Steamers. For over 100 years, these graceful boats have taken countless visitors on tours of Ullswater. Two of the boats, “Raven” (1889) and “Lady of the Lake” (1877) are the oldest such operating vessels in existence. Glenridding has several shops, pubs, guest houses, and two hotels, the Inn on the Lake and the Best Western Glenridding Hotel.
The village of Pooley Bridge is located at the north end of Ullswater and offers several outstanding Lake District walks as well as shops, pubs, hotels and a delightful tea room overlooking the River Eamont. A lovely 16th Century arched stone bridge gives the village its name and the Ullswater Steamers dock here.
For more information about Ullswater, and the Lake District, see Ullswater or Visit Cumbria.
Pamela Watson - I first hit the road at the tender age of three weeks when my career-Army dad packed up my mom and me and moved us from Indiana to New ...
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