Hotels in Pooley Bridge

Pooley Bridge itself has only a handful of places to stay, in keeping with its size, so most visitors base themselves either in the village's pubs-with-rooms or spread out along the northern end of Ullswater in Watermillock, or a short drive away in Penrith. What accommodation there is tends to be traditional and lakeland in character - stone-built pubs with a handful of ensuite bedrooms, guesthouses, and self-catering cottages converted from old farm buildings, many with views out over the fells or down towards the lake. The Sun Inn, right in the centre of the village, is a good example, offering eight ensuite rooms above a working pub.

For those wanting more space, or travelling as a family or group, self-catering cottages are the more common option around Pooley Bridge, ranging from compact one-bedroom conversions to larger farmhouses that sleep eight or more, many within easy walking distance of the pier and the start of the Ullswater Way. Hotels with a wider range of facilities - spas, restaurants, extensive grounds - are generally found further round the lake, particularly around Watermillock and Glenridding, or in Penrith itself, which has a wider choice of chain and independent hotels geared towards both tourists and business travellers using the M6 corridor.

Booking ahead is strongly advised for anything in or near the village, especially through the summer months and school holidays, when Ullswater's northern shore is one of the busiest parts of the Lake District. Outside peak season, availability opens up considerably and it's often possible to find good rates at short notice, particularly for midweek stays.