Mission statement: Discover the tranquility of this beautiful lake
Trail Introduction:
This trail takes you anti-clockwise to the southern end of Ullswater. The predominant wind direction is South/South West so we suggest that you launchfrom Ullswater Yacht Club and head South. However, it is also possible to launch from Glenridding Sailing Centre.
About the Area: Formed after the last Ice-Age, when a glacier scooped out the valley floor and then filled with melt water. Ullswater is one of the most beautiful in The Lakes. As with all lakes, the wind can change quickly, we strongly recommend paying particular attention to multiple weather forecasts. Although the anchorages shown are often used, sailors should be aware that the lake bed often slopes away steeply and careful anchoring is always required. please be aware that swimming can be dangerous, due to the low water temperature just a short distance offshore.
The five Ullswater Steamers offering trips around the lake have been pleasure cruisers catering for tourists since 1877.
Pooley Bridge, originally erected in 1764, collapsed when Storm Desmond hit The Lakes in 2015. It was replaced with the UK’s first stainless steel bridge at a cost of £5 million.
Below Pooley Bridge is Eusemere, for 10 years the home of Thomas Clarkson who established the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1787.
Donald Campbell launched from Glenridding and set the world water speed record in Bluebird K7 on the 23rd July 1955 reaching an impressive 202.32 mph. The lake now has a 10 mph speed limit!
Lord Birkett successfully led a campaign to allow public access to Ullswater when it was threatened with becoming a reservoir in 1962. The height of the memorial plaque in Kailpot Bay is what would have been the height of the waterline if the damn had been built at Pooley Bridge. The Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy is held on the first weekend of July every year from Ullswater Yacht Club.
Interesting fact: Published in 1807 Wordsworth’s poem is written about the wild daffodils growing along the shore of Glencoyne Bay. I wandered lonely as a cloud, that high o’er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils.
Round Trip Distance: 15 miles
Approximate Time that the Trail will take: 3.5 to 6 hours (approx.)
OS Map or Chart: OL5
Trail Details:
This map is for information use only, not for navigation.
1 Start/Finish. Launching is entirely at the discretion of Ullswater Yacht Club. Leave your trolley/trailer and car in the area indicated by club officials.
2 After launching, head North East past the moored boats in the bay. Continue past the large campsite, keeping 100m from the shore to avoid the muddy bank.
3 Before Pooley Bridge you will arrive at Eusemere. Land on the shore and walk along the River Eamont to see the new Pooley Bridge, as well as get an ice cream.
4 Head south along the Western shore, passing Fairfield Marina, and round the Headland. On passing three or four houses with private landing piers and a boat house sale between the reef (see map) and the shore.
5 The Narrows has unpredictable weather and should only be tackled by the experienced sailor. Keep an eye out for the Ullswater Steamer which docks at Howtown. (If you wish to return from here go straight to number 13).
6 Enter the Narrows, keep to the middle of the lake to start with to avoid a reef along the shore (see map) and then follow the shore West.
7 There is safe and quiet Anchorage at Aira Point, just before the Steamer pontoon. (Do not moor on this pontoon). An ideal spot for lunch. Sail down Glencoyne Bay Where Wordsworth got his inspiration for the poem Daffodils.
8 Follow the shore South passing Mossdale Bay and Stybarrow Crag.
9 Moor up at Glenridding Sailing Center where Glenridding Beck joins the lake and enjoy the view up towards Helvelyn. Enjoy a drink from the coffee shop or The Inn on the Lake, which also has a jetty you can moor alongside.
10 Take Norfolk Island to port, head in a Northeasterly direction past Silver Bay and back through the Narrows.
11 Picnic spot where you can anchor or moor up on the shale beach. This side of Ullswater is mainly cliffs. You may be able to spot Intrepid swimmers jumping into the lake.
12 At the end of the Narrows, you will sail past Kailpot Crag, which is the site of the Lord Birkett Memorial.
13 Head across Howtown Bay keeping a weather eye out for the Ullswater Steamer and steer towards the Sharrow Bay Hotel, the home of sticky toffee pudding! Once past Sharrow Bay, sail past Thwaitehill Bay and return to Ullswater Yacht Club.
If you want to spend a few (or more) days here, there is a small camping field at the club ( CA10 2NA) You will need to book at least 24 hours in advance.
Trip Extensions: Aira Force waterfall and The Ullswater-way
Feel like challenge?: Why not enter the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy? For more details visit https://ullswateryachtclub.org/
Launch Point Lat and Long: 54.595391, -2.840968
Launch Point What3Words: ///obeyed.dynamics.punctured
Launch Information:
There is a cost to launch, 2025 prices TBC soon.
Towing Vehicle Parking: Park on the Yacht Club grounds where club officials instruct.
Towing vehicle Parking What3Words: ///stowing.grower.amplified
Towing vehicle Parking Information: For costs, see above. There are a number of parking areas at UYC, depending on the season and other events taking place will determinw where exactly you can park. Club officials will help with this.
Trailer Parking: Near the shoreline where you launch from.
Trailer Parking What3Words: ///stowing.grower.amplified
Trailer Parking Information: There is no separate charge for parking your trailer.
Toilets: Toilets (and other facilities ) are available within the Yacht Club.
Toilets What3Words: ///feasting.snowstorm.print
Toilets Information:
Page Month Published: March 2025
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