Pooley Bridge

Pooley Bridge is a small village at the northern end of Ullswater, where the River Eamont leaves the lake. It has a short main street of pubs, cafes and shops and a pier for the Ullswater Steamers, and it is the first lakeside village most people reach coming from Penrith. It makes a good base for the quieter eastern side of the lake and for Penrith, Lowther and the Eden Valley, all within a few miles.

The village is named for its bridge, and the bridge has a story. The old stone bridge, dating from 1764, was swept away by Storm Desmond in December 2015. After a temporary crossing, a new stainless steel arch bridge was lifted into place in May 2020 and opened that October.

Walks start straight from the village. Dunmallard Hill, a wooded mound with the remains of a hillfort, is a short climb behind the village. To the south, the open moor of Moor Divock has the Cockpit stone circle, and longer walks lead along the eastern shore to Howtown and Hallin Fell, perhaps the best small viewpoint in the Lakes. Dalemain, a historic house with gardens, is two miles away. Spring and early summer are lovely here, and in autumn the woods around the foot of the lake turn bright gold.

The village is busy on summer days, and parking is limited. Take the Steamer or the bus, or walk in on the Ullswater Way. In winter it is quiet and many places shorten their hours.