The relaxed village at the foot of Ullswater — the famous new bridge, the northern Steamer pier, and some of the best low-level walks in the Lakes. Here's how to plan your visit.
The foot of Ullswater
Pooley Bridge is the village at the northern foot of Ullswater — the quieter, gentler end of the lake, away from the high-fell crowds of Glenridding. Is Pooley Bridge worth visiting? Very much so: it has the northern Steamer pier, a famous modern bridge, friendly pubs and tea rooms, and some of the best easy walking on the lake — all six miles from Penrith and the M6.
Where is Pooley Bridge? At the northern tip of Ullswater in Cumbria, where the River Eamont leaves the lake — about 6 miles south-west of Penrith (postcode area CA10 2NP). It sits just off the A592, the lakeside road that runs the length of Ullswater to Glenridding and over Kirkstone Pass towards Windermere.
The classic Pooley Bridge day is simple and unbeatable: a coffee in the village, the Steamer down to Howtown, the eastern-shore walk back, and a pint by the water. The free Lakes Planner builds it around the boat times and the weather.
Why Pooley Bridge is famous
For 250 years a three-arch stone bridge carried the road over the River Eamont where it flows out of Ullswater. Then, in December 2015, Storm Desmond sent record floodwater down the river and swept the old bridge away — one of the most-photographed losses of those floods.
After years of a temporary crossing, a striking permanent replacement opened in 2020: a single graceful arch and the first stainless-steel road bridge in the UK, designed to shrug off future floods. It has quickly become a landmark in its own right — and the obvious first photo stop when you arrive in the village.
Nearby: just above the village, on the open moor towards Askham, lies the Cockpit — a Bronze Age stone circle on the line of the old Roman road, High Street. An easy add-on to a Heughscar Hill walk (see below).
On foot from the village
Can you walk around Pooley Bridge? Easily — it is one of the best low-level walking bases on Ullswater, with everything from a 30-minute riverside stroll to a half-day on the open fell. Here are the walks worth doing — and our full Pooley Bridge walks guide has routes, parking and the Steamer options for each.
Pooley Bridge is the northern start of the Ullswater Way, the 20-mile circular walk around the lake.
Route map, GPX & the four stagesThe signature walk: follow the quiet eastern shore of Ullswater south to Howtown — about 5 miles of lake, woodland and meadow — then ride the Steamer back to the village. The northern leg of the celebrated Ullswater Way. Add little Hallin Fell at Howtown for the best view on the lake.
Up onto the open moor behind the village for big skies, the Bronze Age Cockpit stone circle and a stretch of the Roman High Street road. A rewarding half-day with wide Ullswater and Eden Valley views, and far quieter than the lakeshore.
Start: village / Roehead lane · grassy fell tracks
The wooded knoll directly across the bridge from the village — a short, shady loop around an Iron Age hillfort with glimpses over the foot of the lake. Perfect for a quick leg-stretch or a wet-weather walk under the trees.
Start: across the bridge · short woodland circuit
A gentle amble from the bridge along the River Eamont and the lake's northern shore — flat, pram-friendly and ideal before or after a Steamer trip. Combine with a tea room in the village.
Start: the bridge · level paths
Full step-by-step route: read our dedicated Pooley Bridge circular walk guide (Heughscar Hill & the Cockpit). The canonical Ullswater Way and eastern-shore route are mapped on our Glenridding walks page.
The circular walkThe lake from the village
Pooley Bridge has the northern Steamer pier — the turnaround point at the foot of the lake. From here you can sail the full length to Glenridding (about 50 minutes), hop to Howtown in around 20 minutes, or take a round-the-lake cruise. Dogs travel free, and there are toilets at the pier.
The foot of the lake is also the gentlest place to get on the water — shallow shingle shore for a paddle, and quiet bays for an open-water swim. Pooley Bridge is one of the three main paddleboarding launch spots on Ullswater (park at Dunmallard). For the full Steamer timetable, prices and the round-the-lake planning, see our dedicated Ullswater guide.
Eat, drink & shops
For its size, the village punches above its weight — a clutch of pubs and tea rooms around the bridge, plus a village store and gift shops. For a full supermarket shop, Penrith is six miles away.
Family-run gastro-pub on the edge of the village — open fires, hearty Lakeland food, big garden and dog-friendly throughout.
Traditional bar in the centre of the village — open fires, free wifi, rooms upstairs, and dogs and children welcome.
Boutique village inn at the northern tip of the lake — home-cooked food, a proper bar and modern bedrooms.
A local favourite on the high street — bar, bistro and rooms, serving modern British plates with a relaxed village buzz.
Alfresco riverside restaurant on the River Eamont — relaxed dining by the water, a hidden gem run by the village stores.
The riverside tearoom and restaurant by the bridge, serving since 1904 — scones, cakes and home-cooked food, with a garden over the Eamont. Dog-friendly.
The village shop for 60+ years — groceries, papers, off-licence, gifts, the post office and Kimi's famous gelato.
Independent Lakeland outdoor shop — boots, waterproofs and walking kit, with expert boot-fitting. Branches at Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.
No supermarket in the village — Penrith (6 miles) has Booths, Morrisons and the rest for a full shop. Listings are free; add or update your business.
Where to stay
The foot of Ullswater is a popular, well-served base — from village inns with rooms to lakeside hotels and large holiday parks just outside the village.
Restaurant-with-rooms on the high street — boutique bedrooms above one of the village's favourite bar-bistros.
Modern boutique bedrooms above a welcoming village inn — home-cooked food, right by the bridge.
Central village inn with rooms, a traditional bar and open fires — dogs and children welcome.
Stylish lakeside hotel on the western shore — three restaurants, a 20-metre indoor lake-view pool, spa, plus shepherd huts and a treehouse.
Four-star country-house hotel in 22 acres running down to the lake — traditional rooms, gardens and lake views.
Family park on the lake shore — camping, lodges, a bar and restaurant, right by Pooley Bridge.
Dog-friendly glamping pods, S-Pods and self-catering lodges with fell views, just outside the village.
Award-winning park on Roe Head Lane — camping, glamping pods, lodges, holiday homes and village cottages.
Award-winning, carbon-neutral eco park on the hill above the western shore — camping and characterful glamping.
We don't take booking commissions — check availability and current prices directly with each property. Run an Ullswater stay? List it with us.
When it rains
A wet day on Ullswater is still a good day. Here's the plan when the cloud comes down.
The boats run year-round with indoor seating — the lake looks wonderful under moody cloud.
Cake by the bridge or a fireside pint — the village does cosy very well.
The waterfall is at its most dramatic after rain — a short, sheltered woodland walk. Details.
Six miles to Rheged, the castle and indoor shops. Penrith guide.
Getting around
Pooley Bridge is the eastern gateway — quick to the M6, and a scenic drive to the central and northern Lakes.
~8 mi · 20 min along the A592 lakeside — or sail it by Steamer.
~6 mi · 15 min. Nearest town, railway station and the M6 (J40).
~22 mi · ~40 min via the A66. For Derwentwater and the northern Lakes.
~22 mi · ~50 min over Kirkstone Pass — the Lakes' highest road, scenic in good weather.
Live conditions
Check before you set off — handy for timing a Steamer trip or a shore walk.
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Live data via Open-Meteo · updates each visit
Six miles from M6 Junction 40 via the A592. The village car park fills early on summer weekends.
The free Lakes Planner builds your day around the Steamer timetable, the walk you fancy and the live weather — no sign-up needed.
Open the plannerGood to know
First-hand — our photos
Our own photography from around the village and the foot of Ullswater — no stock, in every season.
Explore more
The lake and the towns within easy reach of Pooley Bridge.
The whole lake — Steamers, the Ullswater Way, Howtown and Aira Force.
The walking village at the head of the lake — Helvellyn and Aira Force.
The nearest town — supermarkets, the railway and the M6 (Junction 40).
Derwentwater, Catbells and the northern Lakes, 40 minutes west.