From the south you approach Ullswater from Troutbeck, driving through the craggy fells of the Kirkston Pass,descending down into Patterdale, passing Brothers Water. Ullswater is the second largest lake measuring seven and a half miles long, three-quarters of a mile wide and 205 feet deep. Though Windermere is bigger, Ullswaters shores are far more accessible, has the right things going on, and some of the best walks in the lakes. Best explored from the southern end, the lake is dominated by Place Fell, St Sunday Cragg, Fairfield and Helvellyn. Take the east path along the shore, heading towards Sandwick then on to Howtown, and you will be able to explore all day with a magnificent view always in sight. There are three main villages, Patterdale and Glenridding at the south and Pooley Bridge in the north, all offer good pubs and inns and nice little shops. For a grand and special meal, though it is quite a drive up and around the east shore from the north, you have the famous but expensive, but oh why not, Sharrow Bay Hotel. The setting, service and cuisine are second to none and if you can’t stretch to dinner, then death by cream tea is a good option. The lake is serpentine, snaking its way through a delightful landscape and peace prevails as there are no speeding boats allowed. Anyone can launch a boat, powered or not but you must respect the sedate 10mph speed limit and, unlike Windermere, there is no registration required. You can hire boats from John Tindle Boat Hire in Glenridding, out at Jenkins field. John hires row boats, electric and little out board motor boats. For those who wish to get some experience in sailing the Glenridding Sailing School offers courses and tuition. Transport is run by the grandly titled ‘Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company Limited’ and though you are only going to get as far as Pooley Bridge it sounds more like an Atlantic crossing is on offer. They run three lovely old steamers, ‘Lady of the Lake’ first launched in 1877 and ‘Raven’ twelve years later. In 2001 they introduced ‘The Lady Dorothy’, brought in from Gurnsey and refurbished by local shipwrights. They depart from Glenridding, calling at Howtown and on to Pooley Bridge and the whole journey takes about an hour each way. AMENITIES Launching Sites Please call first to check rules and costs Howtown, Access from B5320 south of Pooley Bridge (All craft max 20ft) Glencoyn Bay, 1 mile north Glenridding on A592 (Light powered craft only) National Trust Land, North of steamer pier or on the adjoining beach at Glenridding (No power craft) Ullswater Yacht Club, Howtown - Telephone: 017684 86333 Glenridding Sailing Centre - Telephone: 017684 82541 Glenridding Steamer Pier - Telephone: 017684 82229 John Tindle Boat Hire - Telephone: 017684 82393 Glenridding Sailing Centre Sail boat hire - Telephone: 017684 82541