National Trust · Ullswater · 65 ft
Aira Force waterfall
The National Trust waterfall on the western shore of Ullswater, under Gowbarrow — where to park, the waterfall walk and its two stone bridges, dogs and the tea room.
The National Trust waterfall on the western shore of Ullswater, under Gowbarrow — where to park, the waterfall walk and its two stone bridges, dogs and the tea room.
Western shore of Ullswater
What is Aira Force? It is a waterfall on Aira Beck, where the beck drops 65 feet (20 metres) through a wooded gorge, with two stone bridges crossing the gorge above and below the fall. It sits in the National Trust's Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park, on the western shore of Ullswater under Gowbarrow, beside the A592 between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. The main car park is about three miles north of Glenridding.
By car from Penrith: from the M6 at junction 40, take the A66 west, then the A592 along Ullswater. The National Trust's main car park is on the A592 just before the junction with the A5091. For sat nav use CA11 0JS — the Trust notes that sat nav does not always take you straight to the car park, so watch for the brown Aira Force signs. The car park's what3words is ///chromatic.tractor.port.
By train and bus: the nearest station is Penrith, about 10 miles away. From there the 508 bus runs to Patterdale and stops outside the Aira Force car park. Check the current timetable with Stagecoach before you travel.
On foot: the National Trust points walkers to a low-level, off-road path from Glenridding (about 3 miles) or Glencoyne Bay (about 1.5 miles). From Pooley Bridge it is a harder walk of about 6.5 miles over undulating, mixed paths, and the Trust recommends a map. Both are separate walks from the waterfall loop.
How long does it take to get to Aira Force? The main car park is about three miles by road from Glenridding and about ten miles from Penrith station. Once you've parked, the Trust puts the falls 20 to 30 minutes away on foot at a steady pace.
Is Aira Force worth visiting? Yes. It is a 65-foot fall in a wooded gorge, reached by a short loop with two stone bridges and a viewing platform, and the Trust says it is at its best after rain. It is also busy: the Trust names late morning to mid-afternoon as its busiest time, so go early or later in the day.
Not by Steamer, for now. Ullswater 'Steamers' do not currently go to Aira Force: the operator says the Aira Force pier is temporarily closed and not operational. The boarding piers are Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge — plan to arrive by road or on the 508 bus.
Parking
The main Aira Force car park belongs to the National Trust and sits on the A592 at CA11 0JS, what3words ///chromatic.tractor.port. The Welcome Building, the toilets and the tea room are all here, and it is the closest car park to the falls.
How much does it cost to park at Aira Force? National Trust members park free — scan your membership card. Everyone else pays at the machine or with the JustPark app. The tariff changes, so it isn't printed here; the current charges are on the National Trust's Aira Force page.
Can anyone park in a National Trust car park? Yes. You don't need to be a member to use the Aira Force car parks — non-members pay the charge, and members park free.
What time does Aira Force open? The Trust lists the countryside and the main car park as open from dawn to dusk, so there is no gate time for the waterfall itself; the tea room keeps its own hours. Check the NT page for the day you're going. With the car park listed as dawn to dusk, don't plan on leaving a car there overnight.
It fills early in season. The Trust says the car park usually fills by late morning at busy times, so arrive early. If it is full, there are two smaller National Trust car parks just off the A5091: Park Brow, which the Trust puts at about a 0.5-mile round trip to the falls, and High Cascades, about a 1.5-mile round trip. Members park free at both.
Do you have to pay for Aira Force? Is it free? The waterfall itself is free: there is no entry charge, no ticket and nothing to book. You pay only to park, and National Trust members don't pay at all. Arrive on the 508 bus or on foot and it costs nothing.
Step by step
How long is the Aira Force walk? The National Trust's waterfall trail is a loop from the main car park that takes roughly an hour. How far is Aira Force from the car park? The Trust puts it at around 20 to 30 minutes at a steady pace. The path leads to two stone bridges across the gorge, one above the fall and one below it, where Aira Beck drops 65 feet (20 metres).
Is Aira Force a hard walk? No, but it isn't flat either. It is not step-free: there are steps, exposed roots and some steep drops, and the Trust says the waterfall is not accessible by wheelchair. Take it at your own pace in sturdy shoes. Is there an easy walk at Aira Force? The lakeshore path to Aira Green on Ullswater is the easier option, on a gravel surface.
Is there a circular walk around Aira Force? Yes — the waterfall trail is a loop from the main car park, crossing the gorge by the bridges. The Trust waymarks several walks here, from about 0.5 to 2 miles. Is there a hike to Aira Force? Not really: the waterfall is a short walk from the car park. For a proper hike, carry on up Gowbarrow Fell.
From the main car park the trail heads through the arboretum on wide, well-surfaced paths. The Trust keeps a large trail map by the Welcome Building — worth a photo before you set off.
The trail follows Aira Beck up towards the gorge, with smaller falls on the way. Further on the paths narrow, with steps and exposed roots underfoot.
The main fall drops 65 feet (20 metres) into the gorge. The Trust says the best view is from the metal viewing platform beside the lower bridge, and that on the right sunny morning a rainbow can show in the spray. It is at its most powerful after rain.
The loop crosses the gorge and comes back down through the woods to the car park, with more of Aira Beck beside the path. Paths can be muddy and slippery, so sturdy footwear is worth it.
Route description is a guide, not turn-by-turn navigation. The National Trust's Aira Force site map (PDF) shows every waymarked trail.
The longer walk
Is there a walk to Gowbarrow Fell from Aira Force? Yes. Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park is the National Trust's name for the whole property — the falls, the woods, Aira Green on the lakeshore and the open fell above. If the waterfall loop leaves you wanting more, the Gowbarrow Fell circular climbs out of the gorge onto the fell for views down Ullswater, at around 3.5 to 4.5 miles depending on the route. The paths above the gorge are narrower, with steep drops, and can be muddy and half-hidden by bracken, so treat it as a proper fell walk. How difficult is the trail to Gowbarrow Fell? The Trust grades its Aira Force and Gowbarrow trail moderate: about 4.5 miles and 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours, with a map, compass and waterproofs recommended because the higher ground is exposed. The Trust's Aira Force and Gowbarrow trail has the route; a Lakes Planner Gowbarrow Fell guide is on the way.
Bringing the dog
Dogs are welcome, but the National Trust asks for dogs on leads at all times — there is livestock and wildlife all round the site. Cass, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, walked the waterfall loop on the lead. The Trust's sign at the dog area reads "Dogs on leads Please. If you don't have a lead with you, you can borrow one from the Welcome Building."
Beside the National Trust visitor building is the dog area, signed Canine Corner: a water bowl, and a board inviting you to help yourself to treats and poo bags. Take bags with you — you're asked to take dog waste home.
Watch the paws on the walkways. The National Trust sign at the footbridge reads: "Caution — Mind your paws! Our walkway has small holes – please take care that your dog's paws/nails do not get caught as you walk across the walkway."
Refuel
The National Trust tea room is a short stroll from the main car park, with seating inside and out on a terrace looking over Ullswater, plus takeaway. Dogs are welcome inside and out on a lead, and there are dog bowls outside. The tea room has no toilets of its own — use the ones at the car park. What's on and when it's open are on the National Trust's eating page.
Wordsworth
The daffodils behind "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" were not at the waterfall. William and Dorothy Wordsworth saw them on the Ullswater shore at Glencoyne Bay, a little further south along the A592 towards Glenridding — see the Glencoyne Bay guide. Aira Force has its own Wordsworth link: the National Trust notes it was the backdrop for his poem "The Somnambulist".
Honest answer
There are plunge pools on Aira Beck, and on a hot day they look tempting. They are cold all year, the gorge is steep-sided and rocky, and you should never get in below a fall in spate — after rain the beck rises fast and the force of the water is the whole reason people come. If you want a swim, the lake is the better bet; read the wild swimming guide first.
Good to know
Keep exploring
The whole lake — Steamers, the Ullswater Way, Howtown and the webcam.
Wordsworth's daffodil shore, a little south along the A592.
Aira Force, Scale Force, Stock Ghyll Force and more, with a map.
Helvellyn, the Ullswater Way, Gowbarrow Fell and the lakeshore path.