Watermillock, Ullswater
England's most beautiful lake, on your doorstep.
Steamers, waterfalls, historic estates and quiet villages — everything Ullswater, a short walk or drive from Westfield.
Steamers, waterfalls, historic estates and quiet villages — everything Ullswater, a short walk or drive from Westfield.
Ullswater is the second-largest lake in the Lake District, a glacial, "Z"-shaped ribbon of water stretching roughly nine miles from Pooley Bridge in the north to Glenridding and Patterdale in the south. Gently rolling farmland around Pooley Bridge gives way, further south, to steep fellsides that plunge into the water — culminating in Helvellyn, England's third-highest mountain.
It was on the shore near Glencoyne Bay, close to Aira Force, that William Wordsworth saw the drifts of daffodils that inspired his poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" — one of several literary and historic threads that run through the valley.
The Ullswater Navigation & Transit Company has sailed the lake since 1859. Two of today's vessels, Raven (1889) and Lady of the Lake (1877), are among the oldest working passenger vessels in the world.
Cruises call at Glenridding, Pooley Bridge, Howtown and the Aira Force shuttle pier, so you can hop on and off to explore each stop.
A popular option is to sail one way — Glenridding to Howtown is a favourite — and walk back along the shore, described by many as one of the finest lakeside walks in Lakeland.
Aira Force is a 65-70ft waterfall in a wooded valley on the northern shore, managed by the National Trust, with trails weaving from the lakeshore up to Gowbarrow Fell past red squirrels, towering firs and picnic spots. It's one of the most-visited beauty spots on the lake, and a natural pairing with the Aira Force steamer shuttle from Glenridding.
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens, near Pooley Bridge and Penrith, is a working family estate with medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture, award-winning gardens, and the World's Original Marmalade Awards. The Dalemain Loop is a gentle circular walk taking in Dacre village and Pooley Bridge.
Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, Patterdale and Howtown are the main villages ringing the lake, each with a different character — see our full location guide for how they connect to Westfield.
Ullswater Paddleboarding is based at The Sheep Shed in Watermillock itself, on the western shore — a short drive from Westfield — offering guided paddleboarding and kayaking sessions on the lake. At the marina in Glenridding, at the southern end of the lake, Glenridding Sailing Centre and St Patrick's Boat Landing hire out kayaks, canoes, sailing dinghies and motor boats, alongside sailing tuition. Further round the shore, the Ullswater Yacht Club's Sailing School (near Pooley Bridge) and Lakeland Boat Hire offer more sailing tuition and boat hire. See our full things to do guide for more.
The membership organisation for tourism businesses around the valley, with visitor information and an events calendar.
ullswater.org →Timetables, tickets and route information for lake cruises between all four piers.
ullswater-steamers.co.uk →Trail maps, car park information and seasonal advice for visiting the waterfall.
nationaltrust.org.uk →Opening times and events for the mansion, gardens and Marmalade Awards.
dalemain.com →Availability is year-round, whether it's a weekend getaway, a mid-week break, or a longer stay. Check live availability for your dates right here on the page.
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