Ullswater: A Lake District Escape for the Soul
The name Ullswater is possibly due to the fact the lake is situated among mountains ‘hul’ in ancient Saxon signified a mountain.
However, it is more likely that the name came from the Celtic ‘Ulle’ meaning the bend or elbow.
Nonetheless, Ullswater is the Lake District’s second-largest lake and has a beauty all of its own. It is a very popular area for outdoor activities.
It is 9 miles long by 0.75 miles wide and less than 200 feet deep at its deepest point.
The lower reaches of the lake (around Howtown) is a very popular venue for water-sports enthusiasts.
A ‘steamer’ trip on Ullswater offers fantastic panoramas of the lake and mountains.
Fishing in Ullswater is free, a rod licence is all you’ll need.
There are perch, pike and schelley – an endangered and protected whitefish relic from the last ice age.
However, the only serious fishing is for brown trout.
In 1955, the lake was used by Donald Campbell to set the world speed record in his jet-powered boat Bluebird.
The lake was again used in WW2 to test mini-submarines and flying boats.
The unrivalled beauty of Ullswater has provided a scenic backdrop for centuries.
William Wordsworth found inspiration for his poem ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ on April 15th 1802 whilst walking with his sister Dorothy along the lake shore from Aira Beck to Glencoyne.
Glencoyne Bay is a peaceful place and a popular beach to launch canoes into Ullswater. The relatively shallow and calm water makes it an ideal place for those less confident in water.
As a visitor destination, Ullswater offers two different options – Patterdale and Glenridding. If you want to explore the mountains and have access to water sports, then Glenridding and Patterdale are perfect.
If you fancy trying canoeing, you can rent them from Glenridding Sailing Centre.
Patterdale can be found at the southern end and Pooley Bridge to the north.
Penrith is the nearest market town, 10 miles away.
If you are looking for panoramic views of Ullswater, take a walk up Hallin Fell.
From Howtown follow the signs for Martindale Church. The walk will take around 45 minutes, and once at the top you will find incredible views all along Ullswater and beyond.
If you are looking for a Lakeland holiday cottage within easy reach of Ullswater, look no further. Enquire here.
