Exploring Ullswater by Steamer

A complete guide to exploring Ullswater by ‘Steamer’ boat 

Set amongst the towering eastern hills of the Lake District, Ullswater has a mystic, fjord-like quality. The second-largest lake in the national park is also one of my personal favourites. It is well worth spending a day or two in the region, and using the Ullswater Steamers is a straightforward way to explore the area in depth.

Where is Ullswater?

Looking across the Glenridding on Ullswater Way

Ullswater is located in the east of the Lake District, just 6 miles from the town of Penrith, and has direct access to the M6. Ullswater is also accessible from the A66 that connects Keswick and Penrith, with a small B-road connecting down to the middle region of Ullswater.

You can also access Ullswater via the Kirkstone Pass, one of the highest motorised passes in England from Windermere, Troutbeck and Ambleside.

The 508 bus connects Penrith to Pooley Bridge, Glenridding and Patterdale, and in high season the bus continues over the Kirkstone Pass to Bowness and Windermere – one of the most spectacular bus journeys in the Lake District!

There is now a weekend-only 509 bus service between Keswick and Patterdale, plus the UB1 service connecting Pooley Bridge, Aira Force and Howtown.

There is pay-and-display parking at Glenridding, Pooley Bridge and Aira Force (but no parking at Howtown Pier). Note that Pooley Bridge pier is around a 10-minute walk from Pooley Bridge village.

Where can you visit on the Ullswater Steamer boats?

The two main places to board the Ullswater Steamer boats are Pooley Bridge to the far north and Glenridding to the south of Ullswater.

There is also a pier at the hamlet of Howtown on the lake’s eastern shore, which is a great starting point for several walks.

In addition, there is a smaller shuttle boat service that runs in high season which runs between Glenridding and Aira Force, a popular waterfall walk.

How long does a boat trip on Ullswater take?

The boat trip between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge (or vice versa) takes 1 hour, meaning a round trip with no stops would take 2 hours.

For shorter rides, the journey between Howtown and Glenridding takes 35 minutes, and the journey between Pooley Bridge and Howtown takes 25 minutes.

The shuttle between Glenridding and Aira Force takes 20 minutes.

How much are tickets for the Ullswater ‘Steamer’ Boats?

Ticket prices for (winter) 2025 are as follows:

Full Lake Cruises

  • Adults: Glenridding to Pooley Bridge or vice versa: One Way £15 or Return £16.50
  • Children (3-17) Glenridding to Pooley Bridge or vice versa: One Way £10 or Return £14.50
  • Children under 3 are free
  • Family of 2 adults and 2 children £48

Howtown Walkers Tickets

  • Adults: Glenridding or Pooley Bridge to Howtown: One Way £10 or Return £15
  • Children (3-17) Glenridding to Pooley Bridge or vice versa: One Way £7 or Return £10
  • Children under 3 are free
  • Family of 2 adults and 2 children £45

During peak season, booking tickets online in advance is advisable to avoid disappointment.

Dogs are also welcome on board for £1

Bikes and paddleboards may be allowed on board for £4 each, depending on space, and is down to the skipper’s discretion (and cannot be pre-booked).

Note that boats can be cancelled due to high winds – check the website before travelling.

Do the Ullswater ‘Steamer’ Boats run all year round?

The Ullswater Steamers run every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

4 different timetables run throughout the year:

  • The red timetable runs from late May to early September, with the most departures
  • The lilac timetable runs from early September to late October and late March to late May, with a medium number of departures.
  • The yellow timetable runs from mid-February to late March with a small number of departures
  • The green timetable runs from late October to mid-February with infrequent departures

Check out the full timetables here

What is it like on the Ullswater ‘Steamer’ Boats?

Ullswater Steamers have a small fleet of boats which are used depending on the time of year and whether there is a high demand for boats (such as during the school holidays).

During the low season, expect to ride on one of the smaller vessels, which has limited outdoor space, compared to the steamers used during the high season/the school holidays, which have more outdoor seating.

Each boat also has a fully licensed bar, a shop serving light refreshments and toilets.

What walks can you do using the Ullswater Steamer Boats? 

You can do several lovely walks using the Ullswater Steamers as your starting point or endpoint, such as…

I hope you have found this guide useful and you enjoy your trip to Ullswater!

Read more about the Ullswater area here

Everything you need to know about hiking the Ullswater Way

My experience of hiking the Ullswater Way over two days

Quirky Accommodation in the Lake District: My night in a shepherd hut in Patterdale


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