Watermillock sits on the western shore of Ullswater in the Lake District.
This location gives you direct access to the lake and the surrounding fells.
Your next stay here offers a wide range of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Wild Swimming in the Lake
Ullswater provides clear waters suitable for open water swimming near Watermillock.
Sheltered bays allow safe entry points for confident swimmers.
Always check the weather and follow current safety advice before you enter the lake.
More: Can You Swim in Ullswater Lake?
Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lowther Castle and Gardens features extensive grounds with ruins and restored planting.
You can walk through formal areas or explore woodland trails. Families often enjoy the large on-site adventure playground.
Website: https://lowthercastle.org/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7HwtTbcF4PhXt5Tf6
Ullswater Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding offers a steady way to travel across Ullswater.
Hire sessions or lessons let you practise balance while you take in lake views.
The activity works well for different experience levels.
Website: https://www.ullswaterpaddleboarding.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kMVifZTmzfXdbfPh7
Ullswater eBikes
Electric bike hire reduces the effort required for longer routes around the lake.
You can follow quiet lanes and paths with assistance on the hills.
This choice extends your range for a full day of exploration.
Website: https://www.ullswaterebikes.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MaqaNRYUpuCMHPvM6
Walk the Ullswater Way
The Ullswater Way is a scenic 20-mile walking route that circles the entire shoreline of Ullswater.
This well-marked trail delivers some of the finest lake views in the Lake District as you follow a mix of lakeside paths, woodland tracks, open meadows, and gentle fell slopes.
You do not have to complete the full distance in one go.
Many visitors break the route into shorter stages and return by Ullswater Steamers or local bus services.
This approach makes the walk suitable for a wide range of fitness levels and allows you to create flexible day plans from your base in Watermillock.
The path passes through constantly changing scenery with classic Lake District features, including the dramatic drop of Aira Force waterfall and open parkland at Gowbarrow.
Clear views open across the water to the higher fells, and the route feels rewarding at any time of year.
Distance: Approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) for the full circuit
Duration: 8 to 12 hours if walked in one day, or spread comfortably over 2 to 3 days
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on the sections chosen
Terrain: Lakeside tracks, woodland paths and some gradual climbs
Website: https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/cumbria/pooley-bridge-and-patterdale-circular
Visit Aira Force
Aira Force features a 21-metre waterfall set within woodland.
Paths lead down to viewing points and continue up to open fell tops.
The site delivers a mix of gentle walks and broader views.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/aira-force-and-gowbarrow-park
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rBm9fkHaRhiH4EXUA
Visit Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge marks the northern end of Ullswater.
You can walk the waterfront or cross the stone bridge for classic lake scenes.
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6fG2r9QT2AnUU1jq7
Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater Steamers run historic boats between main piers on the lake.
A cruise delivers relaxed views of the fells from the water. You can hop on and off to combine with walks.
Website: https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xtc3kjuMpbFkJMpj9
Helvellyn, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge Circular
The Helvellyn circular route via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge ranks among the most iconic and exhilarating mountain walks in the Lake District.
This challenging route takes you to the summit of Helvellyn, the third-highest mountain in England at 950 metres.
You start from Glenridding and follow a steep path up before reaching the famous Striding Edge.
This narrow, knife-edge ridge requires careful scrambling with steep drops on either side.
Once at the summit, you continue across the plateau and descend by Swirral Edge, another exciting scramble, before completing the loop back down towards Red Tarn and Glenridding.
On a clear day, the views across Ullswater and the surrounding fells are outstanding.
The route gives you a real mountain experience with a strong sense of achievement.
Distance: 13 to 14 kilometres (8 to 8.7 miles)
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous – a head for heights and basic scrambling ability are essential
Terrain: Steep paths followed by exposed rocky ridges
Recommendation: Suitable only for experienced walkers with good fitness
Website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/cumbria/helvellyn-swirrel-edge-and-striding-edge-circular
Pony Trekking Ullswater
Pony trekking follows trails with steady views over Ullswater and the fells.
Guided sessions suit riders of most ages and provide a different pace to foot travel.
Website: https://www.ponytrekkingullswater.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rR4CWD1qobSfNpDGA
Glenridding Sailing Centre
Glenridding Sailing Centre supplies boat hire and tuition on Ullswater.
You can try sailing dinghies or hire kayaks and canoes for independent time on the water.
Website: https://www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ArMmmHmPQ52KCJqGA
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
Dalemain Mansion and its gardens display period interiors and varied planting.
The grounds change with each season and offer pleasant paths for a gentle visit.
Website: https://www.dalemain.com/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9QyJLpqqxwyXLMr5
Visit Glenridding
Glenridding stands at the southern tip of Ullswater.
The village gives access to several mountain paths and boat departures.
Website: https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/explore/glenridding-p1214361
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1hGzFhYGLoK1wnC76
Lakeland Boat Hire
Lakeland Boat Hire lets you select motorboats, rowing boats, or canoes near Pooley Bridge.
You control your own route and timing on the lake.
Website: https://www.lakelandboathire.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vKv29Ro8WD3uj5ZZ8
Ullswater Wake and Surf
Ullswater Wake and Surf runs sessions in wakesurfing, along with the hire of paddleboards and kayaks.
Instruction matches different ability levels for active time on the water.
Website: https://wakeandsurf.co.uk/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kTyF4TCHRUQw7Ezx5
Canoeing and Kayaking with Tall Bloke Adventures
Guided canoe and kayak tours with Tall Bloke Adventures explore quieter stretches of Ullswater.
The team shares knowledge of the area while you paddle at a comfortable pace.
Website: https://www.tallblokeadventures.com/
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GBHQUTsSxpNwoPy79
Where to Stay in Watermillock
Our Watermillock cottages are close to the lake and offer a perfect base for all the activities listed here. They provide space to rest after time spent outdoors.
Each of our cottages comes fully equipped for a comfortable break.
You return to a warm setting that makes for easy days of exploring the surroundings.
See Our Luxury Watermillock Cottages Here…
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About Watermillock
Watermillock is a small, scattered village on the western shore of Ullswater in the English Lake District.
Its houses and farms spread out between the lake edge and the slopes of Little Mell Fell.
This arrangement creates a peaceful setting with wide views across the water and up to the surrounding fells.
The area has a long history as a farming community.
For many years, the higher ground served as a deer forest for local landowners.
The village once formed its own civil parish until it joined with Matterdale in 1934.
Its name dates back to the early thirteenth century and has connections with the landscape and early settlement in the region.
All Saints Church, built in 1881 from local slate and red sandstone, stands as a notable landmark.
It replaced an earlier church closer to the lake shore.
The building contains several attractive memorial windows with a Pre-Raphaelite influence.
Today, Watermillock remains a quiet corner of the Lake District.
It attracts visitors who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere compared with some of the busier lakeside spots.
The location offers direct access to Ullswater while staying slightly removed from the main tourist flow.
This balance makes it an ideal place to experience the region’s natural beauty without crowds.
The village sits within easy reach of many classic Lake District experiences.
You can walk straight down to the lake, follow trails into the hills, or take short drives to nearby attractions.
The combination of open water, woodland, and open fell creates a varied landscape perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.
Some Final Notes On Watermillock
Watermillock places you within easy distance of lake-based fun and fell walks.
The range of options suits different interests and fitness levels.
A visit here builds memories of open water and quiet hills.
Plan each day with the forecast in mind so you make the most of your time.
