Glenridding lies at the southern tip of Ullswater. This village is an ideal starting point for lake and fell adventures in the Lake District.
You gain direct access to the water and some of the finest mountain scenery in Cumbria.
A range of activities awaits, from gentle boat rides to demanding hikes, so you can tailor your days to your mood and energy levels.
Walk Up Glenridding Dodd
This circular route begins right in the village and leads you up a steep, rough path to the summit of Glenridding Dodd.
You gain clear views over Ullswater and the encircling fells once you reach the top.
The climb rewards your effort with a compact yet satisfying outing that suits those seeking a shorter challenge with big scenery.
- Length: 4.8 km (3 miles)
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Hard
Related: Best Pubs in Glenridding
Go on an Adventure With Hiking Highs
Guided walks let you explore the high fells around Glenridding with expert guidance.
Local leaders share knowledge of the terrain, history and wildlife as you tackle varied routes.
You focus on the experience rather than navigation, which makes this choice perfect if you want to push your limits safely or learn more about the landscape.
Website: https://hikinghighs.co.uk/
Related: Best Glenridding Walks
Enjoy the View From St Patrick’s Boat Landing
St Patrick’s Boat Landing sits beside the lake in Glenridding and offers easy access to the water’s edge.
You can hire a boat or simply pause on the shore to take in the views across Ullswater.
The location provides a relaxed way to connect with the lake without venturing far from the village centre.
Website: https://www.stpatricksboatlanding.co.uk/
Address: St Patrick’s Boat Landing, Glenridding, Cumbria CA11 0US
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8bPKHxcGDPzwHSkW7
Explore Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lowther Castle & Gardens lies a short drive from Glenridding and features dramatic ruins set within restored gardens and woodland.
You wander through formal plantings, discover hidden paths and let younger visitors burn energy in the large adventure playground.
The site blends history with open space, so it suits all ages on a varied day out.
Website: https://lowthercastle.org/
Address: Lowther Castle & Gardens, Lowther, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2HH
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Re8JfVLJKr5JzrKq8
Enjoy Watersports with Ullswater Wake and Surf
Ullswater Wake and Surf provides a full range of water-based activities on the lake.
You can try wakeboarding, waterskiing or other thrills with equipment and tuition available.
The centre caters for families and groups, so everyone can find something suitable, regardless of experience.
Website: https://wakeandsurf.co.uk/
Address: Howtown Road, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NA
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebKju3SmFM8WadqQ8
Glenridding Sailing Centre
Glenridding Sailing Centre sits on the lakeshore and offers sailing tuition, boat hire and group activities.
You learn new skills on the water or simply rent equipment for independent exploration.
Courses run for all ages and abilities, which makes the centre a practical base for anyone keen to get afloat.
Website: https://www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk/
Address: The Spit, Glenridding, Cumbria CA11 0PE
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9LPpMwzN44wzfeMb9
Tour Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens presents a historic house and award-winning grounds near Ullswater.
You explore elegant rooms, wander through colourful borders and enjoy seasonal displays.
The site feels intimate yet grand, creating a pleasant contrast with the wilder fells nearby.
Website: https://www.dalemain.com/
Address: Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0HB
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aocrEeBhGcVy4kUb9
Take a Ride with Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater Steamers operate traditional vessels that glide along the lake.
You board at Glenridding pier and enjoy scenic crossings to other landing stages.
The journeys combine gentle motion with outstanding views, which creates a relaxing way to see more of the shoreline.
Website: https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
Address: The Pier House, Glenridding, Cumbria CA11 0US
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nv5uRpjdEJBRhJMS6
Pony Trekking Ullswater
Park Foot Pony Trekking offers guided rides through the countryside beside Ullswater.
You ride at a gentle pace while taking in the lake and fell views from the saddle. Helmets and instruction come included, so the experience suits beginners and more confident riders alike.
Website: https://www.ponytrekkingullswater.co.uk/
Address: Howtown Road, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NA
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y7sG9fm4j1FuPq3d9
Ullswater Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding on Ullswater lets you glide across calm water and enjoy a close-up perspective of the lake.
You stand or kneel on the board and use a paddle to explore sheltered bays and open stretches.
The activity combines balance, light exercise and peaceful scenery in one session.
Website: https://www.ullswaterpaddleboarding.co.uk/
Address: Lake District National Park, The Lake, The Sheep Shed, Another Place, Watermillock, Ullswater CA11 0LP
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFmZN6UT9M7ae2bL6
Ullswater eBikes
Electric bikes make longer routes around Ullswater feel more accessible.
You follow lakeside paths and gentle climbs with motor assistance, which lets you cover more ground without excessive effort.
Hire points provide well-maintained machines and route suggestions, so you plan your own adventure.
Website: https://www.ullswaterebikes.co.uk/
Address: Information Centre, Glenridding Tourist, Penrith CA11 0PD
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iRri4ABVKNfnzUyo6
Wild Swimming
Wild swimming in Ullswater offers a refreshing way to experience the lake directly.
You enter the water from accessible shores and enjoy the clear, cool conditions surrounded by mountain views.
Safety remains important, so check conditions and stay within your limits.
More Info: Wild Swimming in Ullswater?
Canoeing and Kayaking with Tall Bloke Adventures
Tall Bloke Adventures runs guided canoe and kayak tours on Ullswater.
You paddle in small groups with expert instruction and learn about the lake as you go.
The sessions suit different abilities and deliver a tranquil way to explore hidden coves and quiet stretches.
Website: https://www.tallblokeadventures.com/
Address: Glenridding Bridge, Glenridding, Cumbria CA11 0PB
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/v3ZriCqo4Zk7sDQv5
Visit Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge lies at the northern end of Ullswater. This attractive village offers a different outlook on the lake from Glenridding at the southern tip.
Many visitors make the journey here by steamer or car for a change of scene.
The village takes its name from the historic stone bridge that crosses the River Eamont where it flows out of the lake.
You can walk across the bridge and enjoy open views down the full length of the water towards the high fells.
Pooley Bridge has a relaxed atmosphere with small shops, cafes and pubs where you can stop for refreshments or a meal with a lakeside view.
The waterfront area invites you to pause and watch boats come and go or simply take in the calmer surroundings at this end of Ullswater.
A visit here offers a gentle contrast to the more energetic activities around Glenridding.
You can spend an hour or two exploring the centre before heading back, making it an easy and enjoyable part of your day.
Hike up Helvellyn From Glenridding
The classic route from Glenridding takes you up to Helvellyn via Striding Edge.
You tackle a steep start, followed by exposed ridges and a summit plateau with vast views.
This walk ranks among the most memorable in the Lake District, though it demands good fitness and care on the technical sections.
- Length: 13.2 km (8.2 miles)
- Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Aira Force
Aira Force features a dramatic waterfall set within woodland and parkland.
You follow well-maintained paths to viewing points and enjoy the cascade as it drops through a rocky gorge.
The site offers a peaceful contrast to the open fells and is well-suited to a shorter visit.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/aira-force-and-gowbarrow-park
Address: Near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0JS
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dmv3FqcMYDbUVm9n9
Lakeland Boat Hire
Lakeland Boat Hire provides motor boats, rowing boats and canoes from Pooley Bridge.
You choose your vessel and explore the lake at your own pace.
The family-run operation includes safety briefings and makes independent boating straightforward.
Website: https://www.lakelandboathire.co.uk/
Address: Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, Cumbria CA10 2NP
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dmv3FqcMYDbUVm9n9
Ullswater Way
The Ullswater Way follows the full shoreline of the lake in a long-distance trail.
You pass through varied scenery from open shores to wooded sections and gain changing perspectives of the fells.
The route can be walked in sections or as a full circuit if you have the time and stamina.
- Length: 33 km (20.5 miles)
- Time: 10 to 11 hours
- Difficulty: Hard
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Where to Stay in The Lake District
Our Lake District cottages give you a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Glenridding and the surrounding area.
Each property offers space to relax after a full day outdoors, with kitchens where you can prepare meals and living areas where you can unwind.
You stay close to the lake and fells yet enjoy the privacy and freedom that only self catering accommodation provides.
Our cottages make the perfect choice when you want to make the most of everything Glenridding has to offer.
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About the Village
Glenridding occupies a striking position at the southern end of Ullswater in the Lake District National Park.
The village sits at the foot of the Kirkstone Pass and provides immediate access to both the lake and the high fells that rise around it.
You step into a place shaped by water, mountains and a rich industrial past that still echoes through the landscape.
The name Glenridding derives from Old Norse and refers to a valley overgrown with bracken.
For many years the area stayed quiet and remote. Everything changed when lead ore came to light in the 17th century.
Mining began on a small scale, yet it expanded dramatically in the late 18th century with the development of Greenside Mine.
At its peak this operation stood as the largest lead mine in the entire Lake District.
Workers extracted ore from the hills directly above the village until the mine finally closed in 1962.
You can still see traces of that industrial era on the slopes today. A few original buildings survive and now serve as youth hostels or mountain huts.
Two major floods in 1927 and 1931, triggered by the collapse of dams that once powered the mine, swept through the settlement and left their mark on local memory.
These events highlight the raw power of the fells and the way nature has reclaimed the land.
With mining gone, Glenridding turned its focus to visitors. The village now functions as the main hub for the Ullswater area.
You find a pier where steamers depart, a sailing centre on the shore and a selection of small shops and cafes.
An information centre stands next to the main car park and offers maps, local advice and everything you need to plan your time.
Walkers arrive in large numbers because the location gives such straightforward access to Helvellyn and many other peaks.
Yet you do not need to tackle the highest routes to appreciate the surroundings. Lakeside paths and shorter circuits suit every level of fitness and energy.
The combination of open water, dramatic fells and quiet corners creates a setting that feels both welcoming and adventurous.
Glenridding invites you to slow down by the lake or head straight for the heights, depending on how you choose to spend your days.
Its compact size means everything remains within easy reach, so you can make the most of every hour without wasting time on travel.
Final Notes On the Best Glenridding Things To Do
Glenridding delivers a wide selection of activities that suit different interests and energy levels.
You can mix water-based fun with mountain walks and historic visits to create your ideal itinerary.
Plan ahead, check weather conditions and choose options that match your fitness and preferences.
With so much on offer, you will return home with plenty of memories from your time by Ullswater.
