Timetable and fares information | Ullswater 'Steamers'

Sail to save 20% off lake cruise tickets until 30 November

Ullswater ‘Steamers’ Glenridding pier is still open for business! We know that getting to Ullswater might take a little longer at the moment, with the southern approach via Kirkstone Pass currently closed due to a landslip. But rest assured – Ullswater and Glenridding are open and as beautiful as ever! Visit our Contact & Find Us page for more information.

To make your visit even more rewarding, and to thank you for your support, we’re offering 20% off sailings departing from Glenridding pier (applicable to our 75-minute Scenic Cruise and our Howtown Walker’s Ticket) from Saturday 15th November to Sunday 30th November. Both online and pier house tickets will have this discount automatically applied. *T&Cs apply.

We promise the journey is well worth it – and with fewer crowds, it’s a perfect time to rediscover Ullswater.

Our Lake District cruises are currently operating on an amended winter green timetable. Please note that our piers at Pooley Bridge and Aira Force are currently out of operation. Services between Glenridding and Howtown are running as normal. Tickets can be purchased online or in person on the day.

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Whilst visiting Ullswater ‘Steamers’

Ticket information

Tickets can be booked online or on the day at one of our piers.
Every ticket counts and helps to look after our heritage fleet of boats and footpath repairs around the Ullswater Way.
If buying full lake return tickets, please select Pooley Bridge or Glenridding (from) and to half way point where the option of a single or return ticket will be available. Tickets are open ended with no fixed return time.
Our four piers link to spectacular walking routes connecting you to each destination point around the Ullswater Way.
Explore the magic and mystery that surrounds the National Trust Aira Force waterfalls and red squirrel trails.
Scan the QR codes around the Ullswater Way and explore the virtual art gallery here.

Facilities

Facilities on board Ullswater ‘Steamers’ boats include an open deck, sheltered upper deck seating areas, indoor downstairs saloons, licensed bars, and toilets.
Our pier houses also have excellent facilities, including free Wi-Fi and a 11kW EV charging point at Glenridding pier. Please note facilities may vary on individual boats so please check our facilities page.
If you require wheelchair access, please call us in advance of your visit. More details can be found on our accessibility page.

Optional Extras

DOGS: £1 each. Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and under close control. Dogs are not permitted on the seats inside the saloons or outside on the upper decks.
PADDLEBOARD TRANSPORT: £4.00 each. Subject to capacity on board. Cannot be pre-booked.
BIKE TRANSPORT: £3.00 each. Subject to capacity on board. Cannot be pre-booked. (We have limited space for bikes and paddleboards. This is allocated at the skipper’s discretion due to capacity.)
CAR PARKING: Car parking for Glenridding pier car park is pay & display with a machine near the pier house which accepts coins and contactless cards.
AIRA FORCE CAR PARKING: The car park at Aira Force gets extremely busy. Please click here for more information.

Pooley
Bridge Pier CA10 2NN
Howtown Pier
Glenridding
Pier CA11 0US
Aira Force
Waterfall Shuttle
(Seasonal)

Aira Force
Waterfall

Glenridding Pier

A former mining village and gateway to Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain.

Car parking available at Glenridding pier house
Visit the shops in Glenridding village and excellent cafés for refreshments
Inn on the Lake is just 5 minutes away from the pier – perfect for an afternoon tea
Explore the area on foot or by bicycle from Glenridding pier

Howtown Pier

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 quiet, relaxing area around the pier, perfect for a picnic – but please remember to take home your rubbish
Great access to lots of lovely walking routes suitable for all levels of walker
Home of the Howtown Hotel and tearoom
Please only access Howtown via Ullswater ‘Steamers’ boats – no car parking

Pooley Bridge Pier - Closed until February 2026

The pretty Lakeland village of Pooley Bridge was once an important fishing trading area with its origins dating back to the 16th century.

Just ten minutes from the M6
Lots of great places to eat and drink in Pooley Bridge
Within walking distance of Dalemain Mansion and Lowther Castle
Visit our Tourist Information Centre shop in the village to pick up some mementoes
Car parking available in the village – just a five minute walk from Pooley Bridge pier

Aira Force Waterfall - Closed until 2026

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.

Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels
See Wordsworth’s famous daffodils at Glencoyne Bay
Grab a snack at the kiosk – they make delicious scones
Pick from many walking routes around the Aira Force waterfall
The waterfall is known as Aira Beck and is a 65 foot drop

Plan Your Scenic Lake Cruise

Download Timetable

Yellow Timetable
Lilac Timetable
Red Timetable
Aira Force Waterfall Timetable - Please note that our pier at Aira Force is currently not operational
Green Timetable - Please note Glenridding Departures only (3 November 2025 to the end of February 2026)

Lake District Cruises Winter Fares 2025/26 Glenridding to Howtown and vice versa only from 3 November - February 2026

Green Timetable Fares

Please note Pooley Bridge is closed from 3/11/2025 to 28/2/2026. During this time we will increasing our sailing options between Glenridding and Howtown piers.

Ticket Type	75 minute scenic cruise	One way walker cruise
Adult	£17.50	£12.50
Child (3-17)	£12.00	£8.00
Child (under 3)	FREE	FREE
Family 2 Adult + 2 Child	£51.50	N/A
Dog	£1	£1

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Private Charters

Our boats are available to hire from one hour for private charters. Ullswater ‘Steamers’ offer a range of private charter and cruise options for weddings, celebrations and corporate events.

Contact our friendly team for a show round.

Find out more