by Jennifer Cornish

Created on: December 02, 2009

One of my favourite places to visit is the Lake District in Cumbria. I live an hour and a half away by car, so it is fairly easy for me to visit often.
My favourite spot is Ullswater, the second largest of the lakes.

I first visited Ullswater, when I was on a holiday with my school aged 11, and staying at Patterdale Hall at the southern tip of the lake. I had two school holidays there and had the opportunity to explore the lake and participate in many walks around the area.

I never returned until 20 years later, when I took my own children to Ullswater, and everything was just as I remembered it. That is the beauty of most of the Lake District, it is so unspoilt and nothing changes.

Ullswater is approx 8 miles long and three quarters of a mile wide, stretching from Pooley Bridge in the north to Glenridding in the south, which lies at the foot of Helvellyn. Ullswater is 60m deep at its deepest part.

There is something very tranquil about Ullswater and there is some terrific scenery of the mountain backdrop leading up to Helvellyn.
There are parking bays along the lake and some car parks which can get very busy in the summer months. There is a large car park at Glenridding but again this can get busy.

Patterdale, where I stayed on holiday is next to Glenridding and there are some lovely walks and trails along the lake which begin here. You can take a walk up to Lanty's Tarn from Patterdale, or a walk up Glenridding Beck which leads to what was once Greenside Lead Mine. Both of these are not long walks, but if you are fit and adveturous you maybe would like to climb Helvellyn which is also accessed from Glenridding.

When I visit Ullswater I often stop off at Patterdale and Glenridding and walk up Glenridding Beck to Greenside. It brings back a lot of memories for me and is just as I remember it.

It is a simple flat walk for the first part, leading from the car park at Glenridding and past the campsite. It is clearly signposted, along with Helvellyn. It then goes uphill a little, but nothing too strenuous, and you follow the trail which brings you to the former Greenside Lead Mine. You can stop off at the beck and paddle in the crystal clear water, or have a picnic. It is always so peaceful and the scenery is amazing.

Greenside Lead Mine operated for over 140 years and large quantities of lead rich effluent used to wash down Glenridding Beck into Ullswater, which was poisoning the lake. It is hard to imagine that now, looking at the clear water.

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