Miles Without Stiles 1: Pooley Bridge to Eusmere
Details
Route type: For many. A short and level path along the shore of Ullswater - OS Explorer Map OL7
Distance: 1 km, 0.6 miles
Start point: Pooley Bridge car park - grid ref. NY 471243
Turning point: Eusemere boat house - grid ref. NY 468242
Facilities: Public toilets, pubs and cafés in Pooley Bridge
Getting there: Bus: Stagecoach 108 from Penrith to Pooley Bridge runs throughout the year, including Sundays from March to August. Car: from Penrith take the A592 to Pooley Bridge
Route
This is a 0.5 km gently sloping path to the shore of Ullswater, providing superb views along the northern reaches of the lake.
Wheelchair and pushchair users will find the wide, newly surfaced route easy to negotiate. They need to return the same way once they reach the boathouse. There is just one gate to pass through.
The route leaves the car park entrance and heads south past Dunmere. There is a seat approximately halfway along the route. The public footpath continues on to the campsite at Waterside House but the Miles without Stiles route ends at the first boathouse.
From here, you can watch the Ullswater Steamers make their journey to Howtown and Glenridding. Looking north, you can see the steep mound of Dunmallard Hill, with the remains of its ancient settlement on top.
The site must have been an important defensive position at the entrance to Ullswater and may have been part of a line of defensive locations designed to repel invaders. Even centuries ago, Pooley Bridge was the gateway to the Lakes.
Map
