Travellers on an open top bus with Ullswater lake and fells in the distance

Getting around Ullswater

Special fares

Until December 2024 bus fares are capped at  £2 for buses in England including the 508 to Ullswater, so you will pay no more than  £2 for any single journey.

For exploring more there are great deals including the Ullswater and Penrith DayRider ticket for just £9.50 adult, £7.00 child and concession and £25 for a group of up to 5 people. Your ticket allows you to travel all day on the bus through the Ullswater valley, from Penrith to Pooley Bridge down to Glenridding and Patterdale and a stop at the stunning Aira Force waterfalls. You can buy your ticket on the bus with contactless payment available.

For more details on fares visit Stagecoach

For  real time information and to buy online tickets download the Stagecoach bus app.

Ullswater 508 bus

Running every day of the week and operated by Stagecoach, this is the main connection from Penrith bus or rail station to the Ullswater valley. Buses stop at Yanwath, Pooley Bridge, Aira Force,Glencoyne Bay, Glenridding and Patterdale. More details from Stagecoach

Ullswater Steamers

Scenic cruises the length of the Lake from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding calling at Howtown and a shuttle service from Glenridding to Aira force. Why not combine with walking a stretch of the beautiful Ullswater Way?

Timetables, routes, fares and much more can be found at ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Walking the Ullswater valley

Ullswater is a paradise for walking whether you are hiking up Helvellyn or  enjoying a relaxing lakeside stroll.

Check our our Miles without Stiles routes for two great accessible walks from Pooley Bridge and one at Brothers Water.

Pooley Bridge to Gale Bay

Dunmallard Wood

Brothers Water

The Ullswater Way is a great way to explore the whole valley, or walk sections of it using the Steamers or bus to get you home.

Or check out the new Eamont Way from Penrith to Pooley Bridge.

Bus and boat combo ticket

Take a cruise on the Ullswater Steamer, and combine it with bus travel anywhere in Cumbria for the day, for just £17.50 per adult. You can buy your ticket on the bus, A great way to get to the Ullswater Valley, and combine a cruise on the lake with a walk and some sightseeing, with an easy way back to your starting point.

Stagecoachbus.com for timetables

Ullswater steamer boat on the lake

Park and ride from Penrith

You can park in Penrith and get the 508 bus into the Ullswater Valley, some buses will be open top to really soak the views of the lake and fells. If you park at Lowther, you can hire a bike and take the off-road bridleways into Ullswater. There's also bike hire at Glenridding at the southern end of the lake, so catch the bus down and then explore!

Bike hire

Ullswater Hopper Bus

This has now finished for the season, but we hope it will run again next year, more details can be found here Ullswater Bus.

Ullswater Map