Ullswater

Heritage Site in Cumberland Eden

England

Ullswater

Dead tree near Groove Gill Dead tree near Groove Gill.
Dead tree near Groove Gill Credit: Colin Kinnear

Ullswater, located in the historic county of Cumberland in northwest England, is a picturesque lake and surrounding area that boasts a rich heritage and is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. As one of the largest lakes in the Lake District National Park, Ullswater has become a popular tourist destination and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spanning approximately nine miles in length, Ullswater is nestled amidst the stunning fells and mountains of the Lake District, offering visitors breathtaking panoramic views. The lake is fed by numerous streams and is surrounded by picturesque villages, such as Glenridding and Pooley Bridge, which provide access to various recreational activities and amenities.

The area surrounding Ullswater is steeped in history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to prehistoric times. The region has been inhabited by various Celtic tribes, Romans, and Vikings, leaving behind a rich tapestry of historical sites and artifacts. For instance, the ancient stone circle of "The Cockpit" and the intriguing Ullswater Steamers, which have been operating since 1859, are just a couple of the many historical attractions that can be explored in the area.

Ullswater is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as hiking, sailing, kayaking, and fishing. The surrounding landscape provides a diverse range of walking trails, including the renowned Ullswater Way, which encircles the lake and offers stunning views at every turn.

Overall, Ullswater in Cumberland is a captivating heritage site that seamlessly blends natural beauty and historical significance, offering visitors a unique and memorable experience amidst the enchanting landscape of the Lake District.

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Ullswater Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.572/-2.93 or Grid Reference NY3920. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dead tree near Groove Gill Dead tree near Groove Gill.
Dead tree near Groove Gill
Dead tree near Groove Gill.
Ullswater
Ullswater
Aira Force Aira Force is a waterfall where Aira Beck plunges an impressive 65 feet down a rocky ravine approximately one kilometre before it reaches Ullswater. 

Aira Force lies on land owned by the National Trust. The Trust purchased the 750 acre Gowbarrow Park (on which the force lies) in 1906 and has provided facilities, such as car parking, disabled access, graded paths, and viewing platforms which have contributed towards making Aira Force one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls in the Lake District.

A small arched bridge spans the stream just as the beck goes over the falls giving a spectacular view from the top as the water makes its leap. There is also a second bridge at the foot of the falls.

<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>   Aira Force and Ullswater Visitor Information (National Trust)
Aira Force
Aira Force is a waterfall where Aira Beck plunges an impressive 65 feet down a rocky ravine approximately one kilometre before it reaches Ullswater. Aira Force lies on land owned by the National Trust. The Trust purchased the 750 acre Gowbarrow Park (on which the force lies) in 1906 and has provided facilities, such as car parking, disabled access, graded paths, and viewing platforms which have contributed towards making Aira Force one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls in the Lake District. A small arched bridge spans the stream just as the beck goes over the falls giving a spectacular view from the top as the water makes its leap. There is also a second bridge at the foot of the falls. LinkExternal link Aira Force and Ullswater Visitor Information (National Trust)
Footbridge above Aira Force This footbridge, spanning the top of Aira Force, provides a dramatic view of the waterfall.
Footbridge above Aira Force
This footbridge, spanning the top of Aira Force, provides a dramatic view of the waterfall.
A5091 towards Ullswater
A5091 towards Ullswater
A592 towards Glenridding
A592 towards Glenridding
Hill slope at Spying How with view towards Ullswater
Hill slope at Spying How with view towards Ullswater
Artist Studio at Dockray
Artist Studio at Dockray
Dockray - Royal Hotel
Dockray - Royal Hotel
Grazing land above Aira Beck There is a view down to Ullswater. Place Fell is to the left but the foothills of Helvellyn are hidden by low cloud.
Grazing land above Aira Beck
There is a view down to Ullswater. Place Fell is to the left but the foothills of Helvellyn are hidden by low cloud.
Aira Force The path which goes below the waterfall has been closed due to subsidence, so this is the best view you can currently get of Aira Force.
Aira Force
The path which goes below the waterfall has been closed due to subsidence, so this is the best view you can currently get of Aira Force.
Path to Park Brow The path gives access from the A5091 to the waterfalls on Aira Beck. Round How is in the background.
Path to Park Brow
The path gives access from the A5091 to the waterfalls on Aira Beck. Round How is in the background.
Aira Beck Looking downstream above High Force. The beck descends several waterfalls on its way to Ullswater.
Aira Beck
Looking downstream above High Force. The beck descends several waterfalls on its way to Ullswater.
Open land by Ullswater This open land provides a link between Aira Force and the ferry pier on Ullswater.  A boardwalk can be seen at the bottom, leading to the pier.
Open land by Ullswater
This open land provides a link between Aira Force and the ferry pier on Ullswater. A boardwalk can be seen at the bottom, leading to the pier.
The shore of Ullswater The Aira Force ferry pier is seen on the right.
The shore of Ullswater
The Aira Force ferry pier is seen on the right.
Aira Force ferry pier Serviced by Ullswater steamers. Viewed on a wet day.
Aira Force ferry pier
Serviced by Ullswater steamers. Viewed on a wet day.
Aira Force Waterfall, Dockray, Cumbria
Aira Force Waterfall, Dockray, Cumbria
Aira Beck Cascades
Aira Beck Cascades
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Ullswater is located at Grid Ref: NY3920 (Lat: 54.572, Lng: -2.93)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Eden

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///strictly.light.digesting. Near Keswick, Cumbria

Related Wikis

Aira Force

Aira Force is a waterfall in the English Lake District, in the civil parish of Matterdale and the county of Cumbria. The site of the waterfall is owned...

Dockray, Eden

Dockray (traditionally Dockwray) is a village in the civil parish of Matterdale, in the Eden district, in the county of Cumbria, England. In the 2011 census...

Gowbarrow Fell

Gowbarrow Fell (Windy hill) is a low fell in the English Lake District. It is an outlier of the Eastern Fells, standing to the north of Ullswater, bounded...

Ulcat Row

Ulcat Row (also Ulcatrow) is a village in the civil parish of Matterdale, in the Eden district, in the county of Cumbria, England. In the 2011 census,...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.572,-2.93
Bus Stop
Aira Force - Park Brow Foot
Bus: yes
Local Ref: AT
Naptan AtcoCode: 090074441301
Naptan Bearing: E
Naptan CommonName: Aira Force - Park Brow Foot
Naptan Indicator: at
Naptan Landmark: Aira Force (Dockray Road End)
Naptan NaptanCode: cumdaptp
Naptan Street: A5091 A592 Junction
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.5708323/-2.9297954
Bus Stop
Park Brow Foot - Aira Force
Bus: yes
Local Ref: AT
Naptan AtcoCode: 090074441302
Naptan Bearing: SW
Naptan BusStopType: CUS
Naptan CommonName: Park Brow Foot - Aira Force
Naptan Indicator: at
Naptan Landmark: Aira Force (Dockray Road End)
Naptan NaptanCode: cumdaptw
Naptan Street: A592
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.5707606/-2.9296543
Post Box
Ref: CA11 178
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 54.5715819/-2.9284417
Give Way
Direction: forward
Lat/Long: 54.5708046/-2.9302567
Give Way
Direction: backward
Lat/Long: 54.5706626/-2.9301663
Give Way
Direction: forward
Lat/Long: 54.5707836/-2.9298561
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Kerb: flush
Surface: asphalt
Tactile Paving: yes
Lat/Long: 54.5707879/-2.9297468
Gowbarrow Park
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 54.5746905/-2.9325493
Tourism: picnic_site
Lat/Long: 54.5728882/-2.9285941
Looking after Glencoyne's Wood Pastures
Board Type: nature
Information: board
Operator: National Trust
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.5708724/-2.9306647
Dorothy Gate
Artwork Type: installation
Material: wood
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 54.5711074/-2.9300626
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 54.5760681/-2.9289809
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 54.5759619/-2.9285235
Drinking Water
Bottle: yes
Fee: no
Operator: National Trust
Lat/Long: 54.5716269/-2.9288262
Drinking Water
Bottle: yes
Fee: no
Operator: National Trust
Lat/Long: 54.5724866/-2.9284451
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.573501/-2.924645
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.5734597/-2.9251423
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 54.5733366/-2.9265892
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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