Activities and Attractions Around Ullswater

Please click the links below to jump to the relevant area or just scroll down the page to see all the various activities available around Ullswater.

Equestrian Activity and Pony Trekking

Sockbridge Pony Trekking Centre, 01768 863468, caters for all age groups and levels of ability; their rides are along pretty country lanes and fells overlooking Ullswater.

Park Foot Trekking Centre, 017684 86696, offers 1,2 and 3 hour rides on the fells for all ages and abilities.

The Outward Bound Trust: Ullswater Centre and Howtown Centre

The Outward Bound Trust provides adventure-based, outdoor learning for young people across four centres in stunning locations: Ullswater and Howtown in the Lake District, Loch Eil in Scotland, and Aberdovey, in Wales.  
At Outward Bound® we use the lakes and mountains, on the doorstep of our centres, to take young people on true adventures. Challenging activities are at the heart of our courses – here are just a few: Abseiling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Gorge Walking, Hill Walking, Navigation, Raft Construction, Rock Climbing, Ropes Course, Trapeze and Zip Wire.  
From action-packed weekends to our renowned 3-week Classic course, we are the original and leading organisation for frontier adventure and learning in the outdoors and are known to all as Outward Bound®.   
Call us for a free brochure on 01931 740000 or visit www.outwardbound.org.uk
 Outward Bound® also runs programmes specifically for Schools and Colleges. Bursary funding is available.

Distant Horizons ~ Leeming Farm, Watermillock, CA11 0JJ
www.distant-horizons.co.uk  info@distant-horizons.co.uk
Water Activities ~ Mountain Activities ~ Team Development ~ Challenge Events ~ Wilderness Trips ~ Technical Courses: First Aid, rock Climbing, Rope Access, Open Canoe, Mountain Navigation, Caving

Rookin House Equestrian & Activity Centre, 017684 83561, Troutbeck, four miles north of the Lake, www.rookinhouse.co.uk offers a range of activities for adults and children including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Argo Cat Off Road Experience, Go Karting, Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting.

Motherby House www.motherbyhouse.co.uk
Motherby CA11 0RJ
017684 83368
About seven miles north of  Ullswater but offering a wide range of activities.

Cycling and Mountain Biking

There are an abundance of quiet lanes and off road tracks for Cycling and Mountain Biking. Mountain bikes are allowed on the many bridle paths (see Ordnance Survey maps) but not on many of the footpaths which are narrow, environmentally sensitive, unstable or downright dangerous for cyclists. It is advisable to research your route thoroughly.

Mountain Bikes can be hired from:
St Patrick's Bay Boat and Bike Hire, Glenridding, 017684 82393,
Park Foot Caravan and Camping site, 017684 86309,
Waterside House Camp Site, 017684 86332
ATK Lakeland on 017684 83921 or 07919 577223, will deliver mountain bikes to hotels, cottages, etc.

Attractions and Places to Visit Around Ullswater

Ullswater does not pretend to have everything for everybody within a few paces of the lake shore, but within a few minutes drive there are plenty of places to visit:

Dalemain Historic House and Gardens, two or three miles from the Pooley Bridge end of Ullswater, has been home to the Hasell family since 1679. Fascinating interiors with fine furniture, ceramics, old toys and the Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry Museum. The gardens have many rare plants and roses over a hundred years old. Licensed restaurant and tearoom in Mediaeval Hall, gift shop, plant sales and country walk to Dacre Church and Castle.
Telephone 017684 86450 www.dalemain.com
Garden and tearoom open from mid February.
House open from 1st April to 28th October.
June/July ~ Rose time - Over 200 old fashioned roses to see

Hutton in the Forest, about seven miles from Aira Force on Ullswater, is the historic home of Lord and Lady Inglewood, featuring fine furniture, tapestries, portraits, a beautiful walled garden, topiary terraces and woodland walk.
House and Garden open Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 30th April to 28 September.
Gardens, Grounds and Woodland Walks 11 - 5 daily except Saturdays, April-October.
For more information telephone 017684 84449
eMail info@hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk
www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk

Rheged, the village in the hill, is about four miles from Pooley Bridge on the road to Penrith. It has a giant cinema screen showing epic adventure movies daily, each about 45 minutes (Adrenalin Rush - the Science of Risk; Vikings - Journey to New Worlds; Africa - The Serengeti; Grand Canyon - the Hidden Secrets; Rheged - the Lost Kingdom; Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure; Everest) and also houses The Helly Hansen National Mountaineering Exhibition, local craft, food and gift shops, restaurant and children's play area.
Also full programme of live music and film events. For further information visit www.rheged.com or telephone: 01768 868000

The Alpaca Centre is about three miles from Pooley Bridge on the road to Penrith. The Centre is a working farm and has a shop selling Alpaca Wool products, also the Just Wood Gallery and a tea room. www.thealpacacentre.co.uk Telephone 01768 891440.

Crookabeck Herdwicks
www.crookabeck.co.uk
Farmshop at Crookabeck, Patterdale. Local wool and mohair. Rugs, knitwear, hats, scarves, socks etc. Visitors welcome, please telephone first to make appointment. 017684 82742

Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre, with their collection of eagles, falcons, hawks and owls from around the world is about five miles from Pooley Bridge on the Askham Road. Telephone 01931 712746.
Ullswater is conveniently situated for touring the Lake District, being only five miles from the market town of Penrith with it shops, museum and markets, and an exciting seven mile trip from Glenridding, over the Kirkstone Pass, will bring you to either Windermere or Ambleside and the worlds of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth within half an hour. Keswick is also only half an hour's drive.

The Lake District National Park Authority are keen to promote their Car Free Carefree Scheme which is a series of scheduled tours, utilising public transport: they have done all the work of researching timetables and connections, giving you ample opportunity to visit the surrounding areas without the hassle of having to negotiate narrow lanes or find parking space; they even thought to allow time in the itineraries for refreshment breaks. Telephone either the Glenridding (017684 82414) or Pooley Bridge (017684 86530) Tourist Information Offices for further details. www.lake-district.gov.uk
For Driver Guided Tours see the Services and Transport Page.

Creative Days ~ Workshops at Greystoke Cycle Cafe. Discover new skills: informal, relaxing days in an old Cumbrian barn. All workshops include coffee, tea and home-made goodies served in farmhouse kitchen. Go to www.greystokecyclecafe.co.uk for details or phone 017684 83984. Now taking bookings for Autumn and pre-Christmas courses.

Food Tours ~ Chauffer guided tours of Cumbrian Food Producers
www.CumbriaOnaPlate.co.uk
annette@cumbriaonaplate.co.uk

Childrens Activities Stuff (and big kids)

Eden Outdoor Adventures - a small family run company offering tailor made courses for small groups and families in Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Walking and Moutaineering, and other outdoor training including navigation and first aid.

They offer trips and courses in the Lake District, Eden Valley, Northern Pennines, Scotland and Wales ranging from low level family walks through wooded valleys or introductory climbing and canoeing to demanding mountain and river trips to wild places. “Wherever your dreams take you, let us help make them come true.”

For more details see their website www.edenoutdooradventures.co.uk, call them on 07525 653099 or email them