A – Z of Locations: U is for Ullswater

During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.

U is for Ullswater

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District and stretches over 8 miles from Pooley Bridge in the north to Glenridding. We arrived there from Patterdale after driving over the Kirkstone Pass.

View towards Glenridding

The lake is shaped like a crooked finger, with high fells surrounding the Glenridding end and rolling farmland to the north.

Beda Fell and Sleet Fell opposite (right)

Ullswater was described by William Wordsworth as “the happiest combination  of beauty and grandeur which any of the Lakes afford.”

And it is here in 1802 that he wrote his most famous poem “Daffodils” after a walk through Gowbarrow Park with his sister Dorothy.

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
View towards Glencoyne

Aira Force is on the north side of the lake, a 20m multiple waterfall with viewing bridges above and below to get close to the thundering water safely.  It was the inspiration for three other Wordsworth poems, including the “Somnambulist”.

As you can expect the area is popular with fell walkers with many water activities available such as sailing, canoeing and kayaking. There are also steamers around the lake on either a full return or one way cruise departing from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge (takes 1 hour). You can hop on and off at any of the four piers around the lake.

Published by

Unknown's avatar

Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

22 thoughts on “A – Z of Locations: U is for Ullswater”

  1. Love it there. Last time we did the falls in good old drizzle. Received photos from friends doing the boat and walk trip very recently 😊 💗
    Mad here last night. Benfica won the league and there were fireworks 🎆 😳 and car horns blaring everywhere. Not to mention Romans! You any better?

    1. I remember your holiday there. It’s a beautiful area. Don’t you miss the English countryside just a smidgen?

      Pretty much the same. Though got an appointment for x-rays in June. Fingers crossed 🤞

  2. I wondered where you’d choose for U. Sure beats Uxbridge! I’ve got a couple of bets on with myself about where your remaining destinations might be. Though I’ve only come up with Xeter for one of them 😉

    1. I have actually been to Uxbridge, but no photos. A memorable drive as stuck in traffic on the A3 for over 2 hours… 😫

    1. Love the first photo in the mist. Somehow I missed that post. I do remember your holiday in the lakes with your friend.

  5. Oh, goodness….this takes me back to 1980, and a cycle trip around parts of the Lake District…I believe we rode over the Kirkstone Pass?…….

  7. Stayed in the Lake District with friends and have just been a bit shocked to realise that it was around 20 years ago…time passes too quickly!

Comments are closed.