Northern England – Ullswater, Cumbria

Distance: 20km/13 miles
Time: 6–7hrs
Where: Pooley Bridge pier (NY466243).  Glenridding pier car park (NY390169).
Start/End: The Sunray pub, Osmington (SY725828).
Terrain: Quite gentle walking by lakeshore and on fell.
Maps: OS Explorer OL5; Landranger 90.

Ullswater – the second largest lake in the Lake District – is widely regarded as the most beautiful of English lakes. Its long, narrow serpentine shape, wooded shores and magnificent surrounding fells make its appeal obvious enough. Every day Ullswater ‘Steamers’ sail up and down its length, providing an ideal opportunity to combine the best of both worlds: a cruise on the water up to one end, with a walk back down to the other. The boats stop at a roughly midway point, allowing the option of just doing one half of the walk or the other. The first half from Pooley Bridge to Howtown is over the low fells above the lake, affording some hugely attractive views; the second is along the lakeshore — considered the loveliest walk of its type in the Lake District. This stretch can be very popular in the height of summer or on fine weekends, so is best avoided then.

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