Pooley Bridge sits at the quiet northern foot of Ullswater — a perfect base for lake-shore strolls, a short boat-assisted classic to Howtown, a family hill-fort loop, and open moorland walks to an ancient stone circle.
Hand-picked walks
At the foot of the lake
Boat-back options
For most walks
At the foot of Ullswater
Pooley Bridge sits at the quiet northern foot of Ullswater, where the lake narrows to the River Eamont — a small, welcoming village that makes an ideal walking base away from the busier Glenridding end.
From here you can stroll the lake shore, walk the classic shoreline leg to Howtown and ride an Ullswater Steamer back, loop the wooded hill-fort of Dunmallard right on the doorstep, or head up onto the open moor to an ancient stone circle. Below is our hand-picked pick of the best, with honest distances, parking and difficulty for each.
Good to know
One useful local detail for planning a meal: 1863 is a separate restaurant about 50 yards from the Pooley Bridge Inn — not inside it — so book the one you actually mean.
The pick of the walks
From a flat lakeside amble to a boat-assisted classic and an ancient stone circle on the moor — here are the walks worth doing from the village.
~1.5 mi · 30–45 min up · easy
The best view-for-effort on Ullswater, across the lake above Howtown — a short grassy pull to a huge summit obelisk. Read the full Hallin Fell guide. Nearest pubs by road are in Pooley Bridge (the Pooley Bridge Inn, the Sun Inn and the Crown); the loveliest approach is the Steamer to Howtown.
~4 mi one way · 2–3 hrs · easy–moderate
The classic Ullswater shoreline walk — the northern leg of the Ullswater Way along the eastern shore to Howtown pier, with an Ullswater Steamer back to finish. Check current timetables and fares, and the last sailing, before you set off. See the Ullswater Way for the full circuit.
~1.5 mi · under 1 hr · easy
The wooded knoll just across the new bridge from the village — a short, shaded circular through the trees with partial lake glimpses and an Iron Age hill-fort on top. Family- and buggy-friendly on the lower paths; a National Park pay-and-display car park sits right by the start (check current charges).
~5–6 mi · 2–3 hrs · moderate
The open-moor option: up onto Askham Fell along the line of a Roman road to Heughscar Hill and The Cockpit, an ancient stone circle on Moor Divock. Big skies and a real sense of space, with far fewer people than the lake shore. Boggy in places — take a map.
short · flat · easy
The gentlest taste of Ullswater — an easy, flat walk from the village down to the foot of the lake and along the shore, with the water opening out ahead. Perfect for young families and anyone after a short leg-stretch, and it links straight into the longer Howtown walk if you want more.
Answered
For the classic day, walk the shoreline leg to Howtown and take the Ullswater Steamer back. For a short family outing, the wooded loop over Dunmallard Hill and its hill-fort is right on the doorstep across the bridge. For a bigger view, cross the lake to climb Hallin Fell, or head up onto the open moor of Askham Fell to Heughscar Hill and the Cockpit stone circle.
Yes — it is one of the best easy days on Ullswater. Walk the eastern shore path from Pooley Bridge to Howtown pier, then catch the Ullswater Steamer back to Pooley Bridge (or on to Glenridding). Check current Ullswater Steamers timetables and fares, and note the last sailing time before you set off so you are not left walking back.
There is a Lake District National Park pay-and-display car park near the village centre by the River Eamont (check current charges), plus other village parking that fills early on fine days. For Dunmallard, the car park sits just across the bridge; for Hallin Fell, drive round to the Hause at Martindale or take the Steamer to Howtown.
Yes — the gentle stroll down to the foot of Ullswater and along the shore is flat, short and family-friendly, with the lake opening out ahead of you. It is the easiest way to get a taste of Ullswater straight from the village, and it links naturally into the longer walk toward Howtown for anyone who wants to go further.
Keep exploring
The village guide — parking, food, the Steamer pier and the rest of northern Ullswater.
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The full 20-mile circuit of the lake, with a route map, GPX and the four stages.
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The little fell across the water with the best Ullswater view for the least effort.
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The walks from the other, higher end of Ullswater — Aira Force, Helvellyn and the valley.
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