Glenridding on Ullswater

Glenridding is a village at the foot of Ullswater, at the southern end of the lake. Ullswater stretches between Pooley Bridge in the north and Glenridding in the south. At 14.5 kilometres long, it is the second-largest lake in the Lake District. This setting provides a clear framework for choosing where to stay: the lake is the focal point, while Glenridding is also a starting point for walks and climbs to Helvellyn. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay focused on the lake and walking, these two themes are important points of reference. The Ullswater Way, which is a circular route around the entire lake, is another option. This means Glenridding can be understood not just in terms of a single activity, but through the combination of the lake, walking trails and trips on the water.

Walking between the circular route and Helvellyn

The Ullswater Way is 32 kilometres long and runs all the way around Ullswater. The route can also be walked in sections; this makes a significant difference to your plans compared with the idea of one continuous circular walk. You can include individual sections in your stay while keeping the full route in mind as an option. Glenridding is also a starting point for walks and climbs to Helvellyn. This gives you two different walking options: a circuit of the lake on the Ullswater Way or walks towards Helvellyn. The Ullswater Way can also be combined with a boat trip or a bus journey. When planning your days, you can therefore decide whether to focus on a section of the route alone or combine it with a ride.

Planning your day with boat and bus services

The Ullswater Steamers depart from Glenridding and operate year-round. Service details may change, so check the timetable before travelling. The bus service to the Ullswater Valley, operated by Stagecoach, runs every day of the week and stops in Glenridding. Here, too, service details may change, so it is a good idea to check the timetable before travelling. Both transport options can be considered alongside your walks when planning. This allows you to decide whether to spend the day mainly on foot or include a bus or boat trip.

Hire on Ullswater

Glenridding Sailing Centre offers sailboats, canoes and kayaks for hire. Seasonal availability may vary; check in advance which options are available for your planned travel dates. Hiring a boat offers a different experience from taking a trip on the Ullswater Steamers: here, you can rent different types of boats, while the Steamers provide year-round passenger services. If you would like to include watersports in your travel plans, this distinction can help you choose the activity that best suits your interests.

A historical perspective

The Greenside Lead Mine is another part of Glenridding’s history. It was one of the most successful lead-mining businesses in the north of England. This historical context broadens the picture beyond Ullswater, the circular route and the walks. If you choose a destination based on a range of interests, you can consider this connection with the history of lead mining alongside outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Millom, Waterhead, Silloth, Bowness-on-Solway, Pooley Bridge, Bassenthwaite, Holmrook, Little Langdale

Return to the main travel overview: Cumbria.