Pooley Bridge lies at the northeastern end of Ullswater. The River Eamont winds its way through the houses and pubs, shaping the character of the village. The area offers a range of options to help you plan your stay: walking routes, activities on the water and the history of the village. You can tailor your stay according to whether you would like to experience Ullswater from the water, go for a walk or learn about the development of the village.
Ullswater from the water
Ullswater ‘Steamers’ has a pier in Pooley Bridge. If a boat trip is part of your plans, check the timetable in advance. Another option on the lake is for those who would like to try sailing: the Ullswater Sailing School’s two-hour taster session begins with an introduction to the basics of boat handling on land. This is followed by a practical session on the water with an instructor. The venue is Ullswater Yacht Club on Howtown Road in Pooley Bridge.
For equipment on the water, Alfresco Adventures at Park Foot Holiday Park in Pooley Bridge rents canoes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks for use on Ullswater. This service is available between April and October. You do not need to be staying at Park Foot Holiday Park to rent equipment or take part in instructor-led experiences. As seasonal dates, booking and participation conditions may apply, check the latest information before making plans.
Routes with different destinations
The signposted Eamont Way connects Penrith Railway Station with Pooley Bridge. The route is 5.5 miles long and offers a traffic-free way to reach Ullswater. It follows the valley of the River Eamont and crosses the river twice before reaching the village. This makes it a route between the railway station and Pooley Bridge, rather than just a circular walk starting in the village.
For a woodland route, Dunmallard Wood has a different character: a level path follows the River Eamont to a seating area with benches. Dunmallard Wood is also an ancient woodland; the remains of an Iron Age fortification lie at its summit.
From Pooley Bridge, the Ullswater Way follows paths through woodland and fields to Maiden Castle. There was once a fortified settlement there; today, the site is overgrown with grass. A raised viewpoint near Maiden Castle offers views across the Ullswater Valley. The routes differ mainly in their course and destination: the Eamont Way leads from the railway station to the village, the Ullswater Way continues through woodland and fields, while the route through Dunmallard Wood follows the river to the benches.
The bridge and village history
The current steel bridge in Pooley Bridge was built in 2020. It replaced a stone bridge dating from 1764, which collapsed after Storm Desmond in 2015. The new crossing is a wide, low, single-arch structure made of stainless steel and is considered the first stainless-steel bridge in the United Kingdom. Several layers of the village’s history come together at the bridge: the older stone crossing, its collapse and the new structure.
St Paul’s Church also tells a story of change in the village. It was built in the 1860s as a daughter church of St Michael’s to serve the growing number of tourists in Pooley Bridge. The Gothic building comprises a nave and chancel, as well as a bell turret containing a bell. Its architectural features also include a north porch and lancet windows with stained glass at the east and west ends.
Getting there and finding your way around
Stagecoach buses run daily between Penrith bus station or railway station and the Ullswater Valley, with Pooley Bridge among the stops. Check the latest timetable information before setting off. For a walking approach, the Eamont Way provides the route described above from Penrith Railway Station to Pooley Bridge. In the village, the Pooley Bridge Visitor Information Point offers a selection of leaflets and guidebooks about the area, including information on local walks and walking routes.
Discover more destinations: Broughton, Whitbeck, Lupton, Great Asby, Milnthorpe, Ainstable, Wigton, Ravenglass.
Go to the main travel overview: Cumbria.
