Ullswater is the lake a lot of Lakeland regulars would pick over Windermere, and the self-catering here reflects it: a cluster of well-run parks around Pooley Bridge at the northern end, farm conversions through Watermillock, and cottages tucked into Glenridding and Patterdale at the wilder southern head. It is quieter, emptier and genuinely spectacular — with one honest catch, which this guide covers along with everything else.
Quick Facts
Let's deal with it first. Ullswater is a genuine distance from the central Lakes — you are on the eastern edge of the national park, and Windermere, Grasmere and Hawkshead are all a proper drive over Kirkstone Pass or round by the A66. That is the price of the quiet. It does not spoil an Ullswater week; it just means planning it as an Ullswater week rather than as a base for everywhere else, and letting a guided day handle it when you do want the famous names.
Ullswater's boats are not a novelty ride, they are functional transport, and using them properly transforms a week here. Sail from Pooley Bridge to Howtown and walk the shoreline path back to Glenridding — Wainwright reckoned it the most beautiful walk in Lakeland and he was not given to overstatement. Or simply ride the length of the lake and back for the finest cheap hour in the eastern Lakes. Almost every park in this guide is within easy reach of a pier.
The sixty-five-foot fall at Aira Force is the area's headline attraction and deservedly so — ancient woodland, stone bridges, and the water at full roar after rain. It is also where Dorothy Wordsworth saw the daffodils that her brother turned into the most famous poem in English. Go early; the National Trust car park fills fast. The circuit up onto Gowbarrow Fell behind it adds an hour and a genuinely spectacular view down the lake.
Pooley Bridge and Watermillock, at the northern end, are gentler country — the parks, the pubs, easy access to the M6 and Penrith for shopping. Glenridding and Patterdale, at the southern head, are properly mountainous: Helvellyn and Striding Edge start here, the valley narrows, and it feels far wilder. Neither is better; they are different holidays, and it is worth knowing which one you have booked.
Given the distances, a private day collected from your park or cottage is usually the sensible way to see the wider national park from here — and it can sweep south to the central lakes whenever you fancy the famous views.
The grand sweep: ten lakes, the high passes between them, and an Ullswater Steamers cruise exclusive to this tour. If a celebration stay deserves one great day out, this is it.
See dates & bookCollected at the door, your party only, the day shaped to you — literary landscapes, hidden valleys, or simply the most beautiful roads we know. Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard in our vehicle crates.
Enquire about a private dayDove Cottage at Grasmere — entry included as standard — and the valleys that made the poems, with Dora's Field carpeted gold in daffodil season. The right literary day for this most Georgian of addresses.
See dates & bookAcross the lake to Hill Top and Near Sawrey, with our illustration-matching walk through the village lanes — back for a long lakeside lunch.
See dates & bookThe afternoon version crosses the lake by boat rather than by road — worth choosing if you'd like the crossing itself to be part of the day.
See dates & bookA slow hall morning, then eight lakes and their valleys at a seven-seat pace — the most civilised way to spend a Lakeland afternoon.
See dates & bookThe same eight lakes as the afternoon tour, run the opposite way round in the morning — ideal if you'd rather keep your afternoon free for the lawns.
See dates & bookA full literary day east to Haworth — the Parsonage, the cobbled village, and the moors that gave Wuthering Heights its weather, newly magnetic with the recent film. Oxenholme pickup available.
See dates & bookInto the Dales for Grassington's "Darrowby", the Wensleydale Creamery, Kilnsey Crag and Bolton Abbey — filming locations brought to life around you with live scene technology.
See dates & bookFrom Ullswater this is genuinely the practical choice rather than an upsell — the scheduled departure point is a fair drive away, so a private day that collects at your park or cottage saves you the journey and shapes the route around your party. Many places to stay here are dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs are welcome with us too, travelling safely in our vehicle crates.
Not sure which route suits your plans, or want a day built entirely from scratch — a family reunion, a wedding anniversary, scattering ashes somewhere that mattered? Tell us what you have in mind and we'll design a day around it — see our guide to celebrating a special occasion for ideas, or get in touch directly.
A car helps. Bus service is limited compared with the central Lakes. Most guests drive up, park for the week and use boats, feet and tour days from there.
Supplies: Pooley Bridge has a village store and good pubs; Penrith, fifteen minutes north, has the supermarkets.
Kirkstone Pass: the direct route to Windermere is magnificent and steep, and not much fun in poor weather or a large vehicle. The A66 round is longer and easier.
Ages: our tours suit adults and older children, about seven and up.
The main cluster sits around Pooley Bridge at the northern end: Hillcroft Park, Park Foot, Waterfoot Park and Ullswater Holiday Park, with cottages and farm conversions spread through Watermillock, Glenridding and Patterdale.
On private tours, usually yes — we collect at your park or cottage. Our scheduled small-group tours depart from Windermere railway station, Bowness Pier 1 and Ambleside library — all a fair drive south, so private touring is generally the better fit from Ullswater.
Partly. The Ullswater Steamers work like a bus service along the lake, and the 508 bus runs the valley seasonally — but services are sparse compared with the central Lakes, so a car or a private tour day helps.
Many are — several parks and cottages around Pooley Bridge and Watermillock take dogs. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on our private tours too, travelling safely in our vehicle crates.
We are an independent local tour operator. This guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by any holiday park, cottage owner or letting agency on Ullswater.