Kate W
23 March 2021
If you're visiting the area around beautiful Ullswater, then you probably have some walking on your agenda! There are lots of lovely low-level walks to enjoy, such as spectacular Aira Force and high mountain treks such as Helvellyn. However, if you're looking for something in between, here's our guide to the 'easy' way up Place Fell. It's an enjoyable walk that will reward you with spectacular Lake District views!
When you look at Place Fell, you’ll doubt that there is an ‘easy’ way up there, but all of these things are relative! On this occasion, by ‘easy’ we mean that there’s a gradual incline along a well-marked path. It is easy to follow, though steep in places.
Talking of starting points, park up near Patterdale School: there’s a Pay and Display car park just along the road. Follow the big broad track along to Side Farm where you’ll find a café, a great place to stop for a snack or a warm drink before setting off! Bear left along the track behind the café and you're on your way.
After a few hundred yards, look for a trail doubling back on your right and head up there: this may be a tiny track that seems somewhat insignificant, but it’s the route that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked along when they visited Cumbria in June 2019. Just keep following it all the way up to Boredale Hause, it’s a nice steady climb with plenty of stunning views to admire.
From there, bear left along the challenging but easy-to-follow track all the way to the summit of Place Fell, where you can sit back for a well-earned rest and admire the superb views over Ullswater and the surrounding fells, including Helvellyn. From up here, you also have a good chance of seeing buzzards circling high overhead or even the odd skylark on clear, still days. If you're really lucky, you might even spot some of the red deer that have been roaming these valleys for hundreds of years!
You can turn back here and return the way you came but, if you fancy a bit of an adventure, then keep going up and over the summit and down the other side to join the Ullswater Way, which takes you all the way back to Side Farm where you can enjoy a huge slab of delicious cake.
Once you’re recovered and full of cake, pay a visit to Glenridding where you will find plenty of places for more food and drink. You might like to hop on one of the wonderful Ullswater Steamers and take a gentle cruise around the lake. There's even a bar on board if you fancy a tipple!
Please be aware: although we’re describing these routes as ‘easy’ you’ll still need to be properly prepared for the high fells: Place Fell is well placed (!) for wonderful panoramic views, but that means there is also a good chance of strong winds and drastically changing weather conditions. Proper boots, warm and waterproof clothing, food, torch (just in case) and a map and compass (or other properly reliable navigation aid) are a must. This is not the time to dig out your favourite party frock and matching Manolos.
We have lots of wonderful self-catering holiday cottages around Ullswater. Take a look at our Ullswater cottages or use our cottage search for all of our Lake District cottages.
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please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.