The Lake District's quieter shore attracts walkers and those after genuine stillness rather than peak-season crowds. Mell Fell sits on the grounds of a former hunting lodge near Pooley Bridge, positioned to catch views across Ullswater and the surrounding fells from its first-floor rooms. The apartment sleeps four across two bedrooms—a super kingsize and a three-quarter double—with a bathroom fitted for a proper wash after a day out. A pub lies within a mile, and the village of Watermilock is a ten-minute walk, where you'll find restaurants and country inns.
The living room and both bedrooms face the communal gardens, bringing light and those lake views into the main spaces. The kitchen is equipped for proper cooking—electric hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine included—so you can prepare meals without fuss. Electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi are all covered. There's parking for one car with unloading at the door, and a south-facing garden with seating for watching the light change over the water.
Walks start from the property itself, ranging from lakeside routes to more demanding fell paths. Pooley Bridge, a short distance away, is where the steamer departs for crossing the lake. No smoking is permitted in the apartment.
Sleeps & rooms
What's on offer
Check-in & check-out
Arrive after 15:00 Depart before 10:00
🚭 No smoking, please
What guests say
Choose a dry day to visit this fell, otherwise you will encounter wet feet in places. Small parking area near Browning Farm, for about 8-10 cars. Up through the woods and it is uphill all the way following the path, easy to follow. Climbed on a claggy day but still an enjoyable walk.
3 years ago · via Google
This is a cracking Wainwright and the hike up is accessible from the small car park at the base. Nice scenery on the way up and lovely commanding views from the top. Nothing to mark the summit which is unusual but a good walk on one of the lesser known Wainwrights of the Lakes.
3 years ago · via Google
Lovely fell walk great to see wild fell horse's very tame and lovely to look at great views at the top
4 years ago · via Google
From my campsite at the Quiet Site the route to Great Mell Fell takes you along the road to Green Barn where a footpath takes you across the small valley to Brownrigg farm. The fields in the middle of the valley are extremely boggy and care is needed if you want to avoid wet feet. At Brownrigg Farm a road is joined and after a very short walk up the road a track, leading off to the left is met. The track is followed until, at a gate, the footpath for Great Mell Fell is signposted. Climb over the stile and you are out onto the open fell. The walk up Great Mell Fell is far more interesting than its little brother across the valley. There is small wood at the start which is bypassed on a rocky path and then after an open grassland section another little copse of windswept almost petrified trees, is reached. These are Scots Pines apparently and Wainwright makes mention of them in his guide: "bleached skeletons of trees near the top of the fell". Not long after the pines , the summit, which is marked by a little pile of rocks is reached and like Little Mell Fell, its isolation gives it some commanding views. Although the views are good all round from the summit, the view of Blencathra is arguably the highlight. The summit has snow on it and Hall's Fell Ridge and Sharp edge, standing out in the clear winters air and Blue sky seem to be almost within touching distance. The walk down from Great Mell Fell retraces the walk up and once on the road, I follow it is for the three miles or so back to the campsite. The walk back is unremarkable but the road is quiet and does provide good views back of the days achievement to admire on the way. For more feel free to visit my website, details in bio or on pictures.
4 years ago · via Google