Full Lake Cruise
Board at Glenridding pier and experience the full beauty of Ullswater with a cruise along the length of the lake, with flexibility to get on and off at Howtown and Pooley Bridge.
Enjoy some leisure time in Pooley Bridge village or take a walk along the Ullswater Way before returning to your start point, Glenridding pier.
Full Lake Cruise
Board at Pooley Bridge to experience the full beauty of Ullswater with a cruise along the length of the lake, with the flexibility to get on and off at Howtown and Glenridding.
Enjoy some leisure time in Glenridding village or take a walk along the Ullswater Way before returning to your start point at Pooley Bridge.
Single
Board at Glenridding pier. One hour lake cruise taking in the full length of the lake between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge piers.
Cruise the full length of Ullswater, explore Glenridding village and walk back along the Ullswater Way or take a bus to your next destination.
Single
Board at Pooley Bridge pier for the one hour lake cruise between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding piers. Cruise the length of Ullswater and walk back along the Ullswater Way or take a bus to your next destination.
Parking is a short walk from the pier.
Single & Return
Cruise to Howtown and enjoy the stunning walk back along a 7 mile stretch of the glorious Ullswater Way or take the return trip and cruise back to Glenridding.
Journey time: 35 minutes each way, plus time spent at Howtown - please refer to the timetable for the day of travel. Please note that tickets are 'open' for the day of travel. Specific departures.
Car parking is available at Glenridding pier, CA11 0US
Single & Return
Board at Howtown pier. A popular walkers cruise or an alternative shorter lake cruise option. 35 minute cruise each way between Howtown and Glenridding piers.
Please note there is no parking at Howtown.
Cruise from Howtown to Glenridding and then walking back along the Ullswater Way from Glenridding to Howtown pier, enjoying one of the most scenic and popular walking routes in the Lake District Walking route approx. 7 miles.
Single & Return
Board at Pooley Bridge pier. A popular walkers cruise or an alternative shorter lake cruise option. 25 minute cruise each way between Pooley Bridge and Howtown piers.
Parking is a short walk from the pier.
The walk from Howtown to Pooley Bridge is part of the iconic Ullswater Way. Walking route approx. 5 miles.
Single & Return
Board at Howtown pier. A popular walkers cruise or an alternative shorter lake cruise option. 25 minute cruise each way between Howtown and Pooley Bridge piers.
Please note there is no parking at Howtown.
Ullswater Way walk from Pooley Bridge to Howtown pier is one of the iconic sections of the Ullswater Way. Walking route approx. 5 miles, For return journeys, please refer to the timetable for the day of travel.
Three days of travel
Make the most of your short break and discover more of the Ullswater Way with the new Flexi Explorer Pass.
Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace for three consecutive days perfect for walking, sightseeing, and
soaking up the very best of the Lake District.
Hop on and off to explore lakeside villages, tackle sections of the Ullswater Way, or simply relax on the water, this pass gives you the flexibility to do it all!
View all ticket options
See all of our ticket options including:
Ullswater ‘Steamers’ celebrates over 160 years of operating scenic cruises in the Lake District on one of England’s most beautiful lakes, Ullswater. Boasting one of the largest heritage boat fleets in the world, we offer visitors an unforgettable experience 363 days a year.
At the top of many people’s lists of unmissable things to do in the Lake District is a Lake District boat trip. Lake cruises on Ullswater are our speciality, helping visitors to experience iconic mountain views from a truly unique perspective and views of Wordsworth’s daffodils on the west shore in spring.
The cruises from Ullswater ‘Steamers’ connect some of the most famous and iconic walks in the Lake District National Park with four piers connecting the round the lake footpath, the Ullswater Way.
The pretty Lakeland village of Pooley Bridge was once an important fishing trading area with its origins dating back to the 16th century.
The start of the famous lakeshore walk to Glenridding and gateway to the Valley of Martindale, home to the only wild red deer herd in the UK.
A former mining village and gateway to Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain.
Connecting National Trust waterfall Aira Force and the Ullswater Way paths to both Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. Please note that our pier at Aira Force is currently not operational. Stagecoach 508 and hopper bus services call in at this pier.
The pretty Lakeland village of Pooley Bridge was once an important fishing trading area with its origins dating back to the 16th century.
The start of the famous lakeshore walk to Glenridding and gateway to the Valley of Martindale, home to the only wild red deer herd in the UK.
A former mining village and gateway to Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain.
Connecting National Trust waterfall Aira Force and the Ullswater Way paths to both Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. Please note that our pier at Aira Force is currently not operational. Stagecoach 508 and hopper bus services call in at this pier.
Ullswater ‘Steamers’ not only provide scenic lake cruises but also ferry visitors across the lake to connect with famous walking routes. We help people to enjoy and access some of the most popular walks in the Lake District, including the Ullswater Way.
The Ullswater Way is a 20-mile circular route which opened in 2016 connecting all four piers by boat and boot. It can be walked and cruised in sections from any starting point and in either direction, allowing you to explore the lake’s wonderful setting.
Walkers can take advantage of our excellent facilities on board including both open and covered upper deck seating areas, downstairs saloons, licensed bars, and toilets. There are also facilities located at the pier houses, including free Wi-Fi.
Vessel: M.Y. Lady of the Lake
Built By: Seath & Co. of Rutherglen, Glasgow
Launched: 1877
Vessel: M.Y. Raven
Built By: Seath & Co. of Rutherglen, Glasgow
Launched: 1889
Vessel: M.V. Western Belle
Built By: Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co.Ltd
Launched: 2011
Vessel: M.V. Lady Wakefield
Built By: River Dart Steamboat Co. Ltd
Launched: 2007
Wednesday 30th September 2026
The winds at the southern end of the lake have caused some disruption to our services. There is a limited service remaining operational, as follows:
Glenridding 15:20 Departure
Howtown 15:55 Departure
Pooley Bridge 16:30 Departure
Howtown 16:55 Departure
Arrival back at Glenridding will be 17:30
All other sailings are cancelled. The 508 bus service is in operation between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding.