Ullswater Way – the Lake District’s Iconic Lake Walk

We stay at the George Hotel in Penrith –  5 miles from Ullswater Lake

Accommodation is single/double en suite rooms – no sharing. All our hotels have a bar, and a comfortable lounge.

There is plenty of parking available at the hotel.

Dinner is three course –  all part of relaxing in these hills. All our hotels excel in giving you value for money and very tasty evening meals – they pride themselves on their food, much locally sourced and grown. Dress code is smart casual.

Lunch on this holiday is packed.

We offer you the opportunity to stay additional nights, and many people extend their weekend as they wish. Just reserve what nights you need.

Walk around England’s most beautiful lake – this holiday takes in the whole of Ullswater’s beauty, hugging mainly the lake side but venturing off to gain the lovely panorama views that can be seen in this iconic corner of the ever spectacular Lake District.

The Ullswater Way

The Ullswater Way is a very new 20 mile ( 24 mile if we add in two good viewpoints) walking route that circumnavigates the lake through a spectacular landscape rich in history and cultural heritage. The waymarked trail is undulating and the whole way offers the most splendid views across the lake which is surrounded by hills and mountains. The path is made up of a whole range of different terrains which adds to the variety but it’s predominantly all on good paths. The route varies from walking along the lakeshore with the opportunity to dip the toes in the Lake to ascending to around 150 metres on a couple of occasions. 

It really is an outstanding walk, it offers some of the best views in the Lake District and is achievable by anyone who is a good walker. To allow us to fully appreciate this beautiful walk we will walk round the lake – 24 miles over 2 days and walk it anti clockwise.

In addition, we meet on the first afternoon at 2.30pm  and walk around 4 miles in the Penrith hinterland. A get to know each other and your leaders walk.

We also offer a full days walk on Monday – part of the Ullswater Way additional loop -From Lowther Castle, the circular 7.5 mile route follows the banks of the Lowther river, through the hamlet of Helton and then up to Askham Fell with its panoramic views, before returning through the charming village of Askham.

We stay in our hotel for three nights. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the English Lake District, being approximately nine miles (14.5 kilometres) long . Many regard Ullswater as the most beautiful of the English lakes, and it has been compared to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland and it is a popular tourist destination because of its outstanding beauty. 

The Ullswater Way Pin Badge

Having walked the Ullswater Way in all its splendour and variety we will present you with an ‘I’ve walked the Ullswater Way’ pin badge to celebrate! 

Ullswater is the most beautiful lake in England’s new World Heritage Site, and largest National Park, the Lake District – the most spectacularly scenic area of England.

The Lake District is in the Northwest of England, on the Scottish borders. Ullswater is easily accessible from the major road and rail routes that converge at Penrith – only 15 minutes from Ullswater’s Northern tip at Pooley Bridge. You can be here in around 3 hours from London by direct train.

Ullswater remains peaceful and unspoilt, retaining its history and heritage, but with all the facilities that a 21st century traveller requires. The surrounding countryside is unpopulated except for farms and wildlife, and there are only a handful of small villages along its 9 mile length, but these offer a welcoming taste of real Lake District life.

The valley offers an excellent choice of activities, attractions, and accommodation to suit everybody, of all ages, inclination and budgets. From outdoor adventurers, and culture seekers, to sophisticated travellers seeking relaxation and room to breathe – Ullswater is where you will find the Lake District you dream of, and the people to help you experience it.

Our landscape provides an unparalleled choice of outdoor activities from leisurely to demanding – all year round. Ullswater has hundreds of walking routes on its surrounding mountains and tributary valleys including Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain with its famously challenging Edges. The most epic mountain biking in the UK is found here too, particularly on Ullswater’s Eastern lake path and Boredale loop; and excellent watersports of all kinds.

A popular recent addition to our list of notable walks has been The Ullswater Way, a 20 mile circuit of the lake, and a heritage route, with sculptures celebrating notable points of interest. The famous Coast to Coast walk across England passes Ullswater at its Southern end.

Its history is stupendous, with ancient stone circles from the days of the earliest human occupation; the Roman Road High Street follows the valley along its East side; and over 1,000 years of farming history, still pretty much as it used to be.

England’s oldest herd of wild Red Deer, Cumbria’s native Fell Pony, and the famous smiley Herdwick sheep brought in by the Vikings; all live in the valley and on the surrounding fells.

Place names remain from both Viking and Scottish invasions. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned at Lowther Castle. The anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson lived at Pooley Bridge.

Links to King Arthur are strong in Ullswater – Aira Force, the National Trust owned waterfall and Arboretum, with nearby Llyulph’s Tower provided more inspiration for Wordsworth with his tragic Arthurian Somnambulist.

The Culture matches up, Wordsworth was inspired to write ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ here, inspired by its Springtime Daffodils. He attracted a following of creative souls like Coleridge and De Quincey, who came to live in the lakes so the magic could be theirs too. The Romantic and Picturesque Artistic movements were attracted to the sublime splendour of the landscape; JMW Turner, Constable, Gainsborough, Ruskin and Lear are amongst the most internationally known of these. Ullswater’s evolution has been hardworking and sometimes violent, but with a poetic soul – it’s no backwater.