Are there any places more scenic than a Summer’s day in the Lake District? A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a bit of a wander from the lakeside village of Glenridding, on to Patterdale and then up to Silver Point where there are beautiful views of Ullswater. Ullswater is the second largest lake in the National park, popular with tourists, but still an easy place to get away from it all. 🐑
We began our walk from the Ullswater Steamer Pier in Glenridding. And followed the Ullswater Way signs to Patterdale. Here the Goldrill Beck weaves its way to the lake. Sign at the Post Office/ Village Shop in Patterdale. Alfred Wainwright persueded the then owner to sell copies of his first pictorial guide to the lake District fells here. Sadly the shop seems to be empty at the moment. Hugo pulling right but we carry straight on. A holiday cottage called Wordsworth Cottage. It’s door knocker is a much smaller replica of the one at Brougham Hall. The track to Side Farm campsite. The only life in the farmyard. A lake view! The Artists Seat celebrates artists who have been inspired by Ullswater, and it’s a good place to park your bum…As are nearby craggy rocks. Scenic sitting. A rugged path takes us to Silver Point. Hugo admires the view from Silver Point. We make our way back. Near midday now and very warm. Blue sky, Blue lake.Heading to Glenridding from Side Farm. We find a little beach by the lake. And all go for a paddle. The water isn’t cold at all. Refreshments are welcome!
If you fancy a much more challenging walk in Ullswater country The Ullswater Way is a 20 Mile route that circumnavigates the lake. It can of course be done in sections and the Ullswater Steamers are also a good way of getting you from a to b. ⛵♥️
At the weekend we drove over to Ullswater ( about 20 minutes from our caravan in the Northern Lakes) and then on to the pretty lakeside village of Glenridding. Here we hopped onto one of the beautiful Ullswater Steamersfor a trip around the lake. Coincidentally the steamer service was celebrating its 160th Birthday! Colourful Bunting adorned these historic vessels and a grey morning turned into a lovely sunny day.
The steamers offer a hop on/ hop off service so we decided to dismount at Pooley Bridge for lunch. The newly painted Pooley Bridge Inn reminds me of a Swiss chalet. Ullswater itself flanked by Some of Britain’s highest mountains has been compared to the stunning lakes and mountains of Switzerland.
After a pootle about the village and Hugo’s obligatory paddle in the lake, we set back sail for Glenridding from Pooley Bridge Pier. The Steamers fleet has five vessels. It was our pleasure to travel back in M.Y Raven, she too was celebrating a Birthday, having been first launched on the 16th July 1889.
All the steamers have indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, serve coffee, teas and light refreshments and have fully licensed bars. Dogs are welcome onboard for a small charge.
I loved all the gorgeous wildflowers by the beck and the lake at Glenridding. Highlights were the swathes of vivid blue Vipers Bugloss and the sunshine yellow Monkey flowers.
Our lazy day on Ullswater finished with refreshments , sat outside The Glenridding Hotel which has a coffee shop called Let it Brew. I wasn’t really expecting such decadence when I ordered a milkshake. 😋
Thanks for bobbing by. Have you been messing about on boats lately?
Our last visit to Aira Force Waterfall near Ullswater in the Lake District was not very successful photo wise….as it was both tipping it down with rain and howling a gale! Happily on our return yesterday, the weather was a lot kinder. We decided to park in the lake shore village of Glenridding and take the steamer the short 20 minute journey to the newly erected Aira Force Pier. The steamers themselves have been pleasure cruising along and around Ullswater for 150 years, and weather permitting , operate 363 days of the year.
Waiting for the boat at Glenridding Pier.
One of the beautiful vessels, The Lady Wakefield.
Stack on The Western Belle.
Glenridding Pier House.
We bought return tickets from Glenridding Pier House for £8 each and sat and waited with a nice warming brew. There is a coffee shop and gift shop in the pier house as well as lots of local information. Presently our steamer, The Lady Dorothy , arrived to take us to Aira Force.
We sat out on deck and admired the passing scenery. Ullswater is the Lake District’s second largest lake and the daffodils that grow on the bank at Glencoyne Bay are said to have inspired Wordsworth’s poem ‘Daffodils’. The mighty Helvellyn mountain range provided a magnificent backdrop and the waters were tranquil and deep.
The Lady Dorothy.
Aira Force is looked after by the National Trust.
Aira Force Waterfall tumbles a lengthy 65ft and can be reached via a stroll through pretty woodland. There are wooden walkways, gravel footpaths and ornate stone bridges. We looked out for the many different trees on the tree trail and Hugo enjoyed dipping in and out of the babbling brook. 🙂
Herdwick Sheep.
Ancient trees along the trail.
Woodland paths.
Aira Force.
Aira Force Platform.
The name Aira comes from the Old Norse ‘ river at the gravel bank’ and Force is a derivation of the Old Norse word ‘ fors’ meaning Waterfall. So Aira Force is apparently a waterfall on the gravel-bank river. Head further into the woodland to discover the less dramatic High Force.
Money-tree stump.
Wet Doog!
There is a National Trust shop and tea room on site. We had a spot of lunch and another walk before heading back to catch the steamer. 🙂
The Ullswater Way ( a 20 mile walk around Ullswater) takes in the waterfalls.
Inside the cafe. Hugo eyes up dinner.
Pretty window box.
Wildflowers on the banks of Ullswater.
Ullswater.
Big skies and Aira Force Pier.
Back in Glenridding. Can’t help taking pictures of these beautiful steamers!
sunshine and celandines 