Pooley Bridge on Ullswater

Pooley Bridge lies at the northeastern end of Ullswater. The River Eamont winds through the village’s houses and pubs; Ullswater ‘Steamers’ also has a pier here. When planning a stay, the riverside paths, opportunities on the water and the village’s history offer concrete ways to explore your interests.

Paths along the River Eamont and in the Ullswater Valley

The signposted Eamont Way is 5.5 miles long and leads from Penrith Railway Station to Pooley Bridge. It offers a car-free way to reach Ullswater. The route follows the River Eamont valley and crosses the river twice before reaching Pooley Bridge. Its length and clearly named endpoints give you a specific reference when including this walking route in your travel plans.

An alternative route from Pooley Bridge follows woodland and field paths to Maiden Castle: this was once a fortified settlement, whose remains are now overgrown with grass. At Maiden Castle, an elevated viewpoint offers views across the Ullswater Valley. The route therefore combines a walk through varied landscapes with a historic destination.

Dunmallard Wood is an ancient woodland; the remains of an Iron Age fortification lie at its summit. A level path also runs through the woodland alongside the River Eamont to a seating area with benches. This gives you two distinct walking options: the longer Eamont Way between Penrith and Pooley Bridge, and the riverside path through Dunmallard Wood.

Experience Ullswater on the water

If you are interested in sailing, Ullswater Sailing School offers a two-hour taster session at Ullswater Yacht Club on Howtown Road in Pooley Bridge, Cumbria, CA10 2NA. An introduction to the basics of boat handling on land is followed by a practical session on the water with an instructor. The session therefore includes both parts—preparation on land and practical time on the water.

Alfresco Adventures rents canoes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks for Ullswater at Park Foot Holiday Park in Pooley Bridge. The service is available between April and October. People who are not guests at Park Foot Holiday Park can also rent equipment or take part in instructor-led experiences. As booking and participation conditions may change, check the current dates and terms before making plans.

Building history in the village

St Paul’s Church was built in the 1860s as a daughter church of St Michael’s to serve the village’s growing tourism. The church is designed in the Gothic style. Its features include a nave, chancel and a bell turret with a bell, as well as a north porch. Lancet windows with stained glass are located at the eastern and western ends. Its architectural form and history offer different insights into the building.

The Pooley Bridge crossing also tells a story of change: the steel bridge was built in 2020 to replace a stone bridge dating from 1764, which collapsed after Storm Desmond in 2015. The new crossing is a wide, low, single-arch structure made of stainless steel and is considered the first stainless-steel bridge in the United Kingdom. The dates distinguish the construction of the earlier stone bridge, its collapse and its later replacement.

For information about walks and walking routes in the surrounding area, the Pooley Bridge Visitor Information Point offers a selection of leaflets and guidebooks. This can help you compare the walking options mentioned with other local walking routes and themes.

Discover more destinations: Brampton, Gamblesby, Rusland, Mealsgate, Dockray, Hawkshead, Preston Patrick, Cartmel.

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.