Ullswater
Lake District, Cumbria
With an area of 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers), Ullswater is England’s second largest lake and one of its most beautiful, thanks to its zigzag shape and stunning setting. The area surrounding the lake is also famous for inspiring Wordsworth’s poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” sometimes also called “Daffodils.”
The Basics
Ullswater and the surrounding area are popular with nature fans and literary lovers alike. Walk along the shores (as Wordsworth and his sister did), or get out on the water on a boat or even a surfboard. Lakeside villages and hamlets offer a variety of tours and rentals.
To get a guided tour of the area, choose from full- or multi-day tour packages that combine time at the lake with visits to other local landmarks, such as Windermere and Castlerigg. You can also combine a visit with a stop at one of the nearby distilleries, farms, or stately homes. Round-trip tours of the area depart from Liverpool, Edinburgh, and even London.
Things to Know Before You Go
There are a variety of cycling and walking routes around the lake, ranging from easy to more difficult.
Make sure to pack a raincoat when exploring the English countryside as the weather can change quickly.
Make sure to bring good-quality walking shoes to walk around the lake and hike in the countryside.
How to Get There
To reach the lake, head to Penrith, which is the closest major town. The Penrith train station connects to Glasgow Central, London Euston, Birmingham New Street, and other large stations around the country. You can also reach the station on the 508 bus, which stops at Pooley Bridge, Aira Force, Glenridding, and Patterdale, or take the 208 bus, which runs between Keswick and Ullswater every Saturday during the summer. Many tour companies also offer round-trip transportation from major British cities.
When to Get There
Ullswater is most popular during spring and summer, when the area’s natural surroundings are at their most beautiful. The region is, however, also charming during the fall and winter, when you can enjoy dramatic vistas and cosy local pubs.
The Almost Lakeless District
The Lake District is known for its famous bodies of water, but few visitors realize that only one of these sights, Bassenthwaite Lake, is actually called “lake.” Instead, these landmarks’ names include the terms likemere, water, ortarn—Old and Middle English terms for different types of bodies of water. Visit the region on a guided tour to learn more about the area’s glacial formations and Norse heritage.
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