We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Ullswater, England, United Kingdom

Also known as:  Ullswater Lake, The Lake District

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Ullswater — things to do, where to stay, fun facts, history, stats and more. Let’s dive in!

Topics we cover in this article:

Looking for Ullswater cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore our comprehensive list of favorite travel partners.

All About Ullswater

Lake Locations: United Kingdom - England - England's Northwest Region -

Cumbria, in northwest England’s famous Lake District, is home to diverse natural features that attract visitors from near and far. Ullswater, a natural freshwater lake, is one of those unmatched attractions that lures travelers from around the world. The area that Ullswater meanders through is scenic and undeveloped compared to other lake areas in the English Lake District. Its beauty is legendary, with the extraordinary area often being compared to the grandeur of Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne.

This glacial ribbon lake forms a flattened “S” shape, which runs from southwest to northeast and contains three reaches or segments that curl through the river valley in a serpentine path. At 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) in length and 0.75 miles (1,200 meters) in width, Ullswater is the second largest lake in the English Lake District. Its maximum depth is 207 feet (63 meters), though it runs about 83 feet (25.3 meters) deep on average. The lake is a natural border between two English counties, Cumberland and Westmorland. Many different water sources feed into Ullswater. Flooding, therefore, is not uncommon to this area. In the 1960s, Manchester Corporation Waterworks Department built an underground drainage system to help control the water levels without the need for a dam. The series of tunnels divert floodwaters away from Ullswater to help prevent flooding into towns, homes, businesses and farmlands.

The village of Glenridding is located at the southwest end of the lake, which is a popular gathering place for tourists, featuring campsites and youth hostels for younger and more adventurous vacationers. On the northeastern end of the lake, the village of Pooley Bridge lies at its foot and is another popular place for visitors. The River Eamont begins here, flowing out of Ullswater, and in the village a bridge dating back to the 16th century still stands and connects the two sides of the village that are parted by the head of this river. This narrow but sturdy stone structure is one of the main historic attractions in Pooley Bridge, after which the town is named.

Outdoor activities in the Ullswater area are nearly limitless. Mountain climbing is a large draw, as Helvellyn Mountain, at 3,117 feet (950 meters), is the third highest peak in England and is located close to Glenridding at the head of the lake. Camping is of popular around this lake, one of the most northerly situated in Cumbria. Rock climbing, walking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing also interest area holidaymakers. Ullswater, with 22 miles (35.4 kilometers) of shoreline, has footpaths and trails by the hundreds, with lakeside views as well as mountain, river, valley and woodland vistas along the routes. From a casual stroll to trekking up steep hikes, most abilities and interest levels will find a perfect option for them. Orienteering and horseback riding are also popular locally. Travel by vehicle can get visitors to most parts of the lake, but the southeastern shore is best traveled on foot for the closest and clearest views.

On the water, Ullswater again offers countless recreational choices. Fishing for pike, perch and brown trout in these very clear waters is a popular pastime, as are boating on the lake–from rowing to sailing to windsurfing, from canoeing to kayaking to yachting–and swimming and diving. Swimmers are urged to use caution, however: The lake’s shoreline is mostly shallow, but it quickly drops off to incredibly deep–and unexpectedly cold–waters that can cause even an excellent swimmer to end up in a dangerous situation.

On the western side of Ullswater is the most well known waterfall in the Lakes District. Aria Force waterfall has a 65-foot (19.8-meter) drop and is surrounded by walkways for views of this beloved natural attraction. Woodlands surround these falls, so getting to them involves a hike. Parking is available, but tourists should expect a two-hour walk from the car lot. For those who are up for the trek, it promises unforgettable sights and sounds.

Ullswater is mostly privately owned by three different entities: Dalemain Estates, The National Trust and The Lake District National Park Authority. Because of this, some areas of the lake and the shore are off-limits to the general public. However, public beaches that are small but plentiful make the area accessible to those interested in leisure time along the shores. Ullswater is located in the northeastern part of The Lake District National Park, so its abundance of wildlife and protected species is another gift to vacationers. Red deer, red squirrels, golden eagles, dragonflies in great numbers, and barnacle geese are not uncommon sights in the area; the pristine area is covered with ancient woods and the undisturbed habitats of most of its native animals.

Close by, within 5 miles (8 kilometers), are several family-friendly stops with fun and unusual features. At the Alpaca Centre, just down the road from nearby Penrith, there is a gallery of arts and crafts, a tearoom and a working farm where alpacas star as the main attraction. Down this same road a bit farther is Rheged, a town where stories about wildlife adventure are presented on an enormous movie screen. The Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre is also only 5 miles (8 kilometers) away, this time from Pooley Bridge on Askham Road. This exhibit showcases a collection of birds of prey that are rare or endangered, including owls, hawks, falcons and eagles.

Regional foods and drinks are popular with visitors in the small villages that bookend the lake. There are cafes and bistros, beer gardens and snack bars, formal restaurants and vegetarian and other specialty restaurants–something for everyone. Other popular venues and shops in the towns include a seasonal farmers’ market, local produce stands, coffeehouses, artisan shops, craft workshops, and pottery and jewelry studios and galleries.

Passenger boats that were once steam powered but have since been converted to diesel–and still known as steamers–offer tours of Ullswater that are memorable and very entertaining. The three stops, at Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge, provide service around the lake in all seasons. The steamers number four total, including The Raven, The Lady of the Lake, The Lady Dorothy and The Lady Wakefield (the latter being the newest, coming into service in 2007). The original purpose of these steamers, some of which date from 1850, was to transport workers and perform mail delivery services between the towns and the Greenside lead mine. The mine closed in 1962, so the steamers now give tourists a unique view into the past whenever they leave their ports.

Although Ullswater is surrounded by tourist-friendly towns that are less densely crowded and less developed than other areas of the Lake District, there is no lack of choice for lodging. In the close vicinity are nearly 50 hotels, bed and breakfasts and other full-service accommodations, from rustic to luxurious. About a dozen campgrounds and caravan sites dot the area. For those looking for self-catering accommodations, dozens of privately owned cottages, apartments, homes, bungalows, chalets, log cabins and complexes are available for rentals. From a small and romantic lakefront cottage that sleeps two to a rurally located converted barn that has been updated with all the modern amenities and can sleep a large family or two, holiday rentals are in no short supply. It may be difficult to decide which option to choose because so many are appealing and storybook-esque. Property buyers will also like the selection of real estate in the area. Again, many kinds of homes in a variety of locales make for a homebuyer’s delight.

Things to Do at Ullswater

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Cabin Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Biking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Waterfall
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • National Park

Fish Species Found at Ullswater

  • Brown Trout
  • Perch
  • Pike
  • Trout
divider

Find Places to Stay at Ullswater

If you’re considering a Ullswater lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Recommended Sites to Book a Ullswater Vacation

If you want to take a deeper dive to find waterfront lake cabins, cottages, condos, hotels or resorts, check out our favorite Ullswater lodging partners.

  • VRBO – Use VRBO to find the perfect lake rental home, condo, cabin, cottage or other vacation property.
  • Booking.com – One of the world’s leading digital travel companies, Booking.com connects travelers to everything from cozy B&Bs to luxury resorts.
  • Expedia – Expedia is a popular online travel agency with more than 140,000 lodging properties worldwide.
  • Hotels.com – With more than 325,000 hotels in 19,000-plus locations, Hotels.com is an industry leader in online accommodations.
  • TripAdvisor – Read traveler reviews and compare prices on hotels, vacation rentals and more at TripAdvisor.
  • Trivago – Trivago helps travelers compare deals for hotels and other accommodations from a variety of booking sites.
  • KAYAK – KAYAK scours hundreds of other travel websites at once to find the best deals on hotels and other travel-related services.
  • RVshare –RVshare connects travelers interested in renting a motorhome with owners who have RVs to rent.
  • CampSpot – Campspot offers premier RV resorts, family campgrounds, cabins and glamping options across North America.
ALL TRAVEL RESOURCES

Note: These are affiliate links so we may earn a small commission if you book through them. While there is no extra cost to you, it helps provide resources to keep our site running (thank you)! You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Ullswater Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Water Level Control: Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

Surface Area: 2,199 acres

Shoreline Length: 22 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 476 feet

Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 476 feet

Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 486 feet

Average Depth: 83 feet

Maximum Depth: 207 feet

Water Volume: 180,789 acre-feet

Water Residence Time: 350 days

Lake Area-Population: 830

Trophic State: Eutrophic

Ullswater Map

We strive to keep the information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. However, if you’ve found something in this article that needs updating, we’d certainly love to hear from you! Please fill out our Content Correction form.

Shop Ullswater Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

Advertise Your Ullswater Business or Vacation Rental

LakeLubbers will soon offer businesses the opportunity to advertise and homeowners and property managers the ability to showcase their vacation rentals to the thousands of lake lovers searching our site daily. If you would like additional details, please contact our advertising team.

divider

Looking for the Ullswater Forum?

LakeLubbers previously offered visitors the ability to create accounts and participate in lake forums. When we overhauled the site’s content management system in 2021 we had to disable those features. We’re evaluating options and welcome your comments and feedback here. We also encourage you to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Ullswater Photo Gallery

New photos coming soon!

Spread the word! Share our Ullswater article with your fellow Lake Lubbers!