Ullswater

A group of young people on a rocky path on a green mountain ridge overlooking rolling hills, a lake, and distant river under a partly cloudy sky.

In the heart of the Lake District 

Our Ullswater Centre sits right on the shore of the lake, set in 18 acres of woodland and surrounded by towering fells.

It’s no surprise this landscape inspired Wordsworth’s famous ode to the daffodils. With ever-changing flora and fauna, it’s a stunning destination to come to year-round. As you journey through The Lakes, you’ll discover a place that feels brighter, fresher, and more tranquil than almost anywhere else you’ve experienced.

Perfectly suited for outdoor learning, this is a place where young people can push off in a canoe at first light, reach a summit by midday, and reflect by the water’s edge before nightfall. 

The landscape

Rugged, remote and breathtaking, this is the Lake District at full scale.

Calm lake with mist rising from the water, surrounded by green hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.
Group of young people wearing blue outdoor jackets ascending a steep, rocky mountainside with green slopes and rugged terrain in the background.
Group of young people walking along a rocky ridge next to a mountain lake with green hills and a vast landscape in the background.

What you'll do

You might’ve hiked or paddled before - but not like this. Here's just some of the activities you can do here.

Lake rowing

Oars out. Eyes forward. And pull! Rowing across the lake takes teamwork and rhythm. It starts calm - but when you're racing the sunset to get back to centre, every stroke counts.
A group of young people using wooden oars to row a wooden boat on a lake, with rolling hills and trees in the background.

Lodge expedition

Ruthwaite Lodge is tucked high in the hills near Helvellyn - remote, rugged and well worth the climb. When you arrive, it's stoves on, boots off, ready to relax and reset under a darkening sky.
Two young people stand in a stone doorway, smiling and laughing inside a rustic stone building. Their clothes and hair are wet from a rainstorm.

Cliff jumping

This activity is unique to Ullswater Centre. Kail Pot is a natural cliff jump site, tucked into the landscape. You’ll hop in a powerboat, swim out, climb the rocks and leap. It’s just high enough to get your heart racing!

Group of people wearing helmets and life jackets sitting and standing on a rocky cliff above water, preparing to leap into the water,

Where you’ll stay

Ullswater Centre sleeps up to 120 young people. The historic building offers a comfortable place to rest and recharge between adventures.

Sleeping

Young people sleep in shared bunk rooms, usually with four to ten beds. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Group leaders stay separately in twin rooms, also with en-suite facilities. All bedding is provided, and there are plug sockets for phone chargers and hairdryers (you'll need to pack these, though).

Three girls sitting on the floor of a bedroom, chatting, with a bunk bed and window with red curtains in the background. A blurred teddy bear is in the foreground.

Eating

Our refreshed dining space is made for gathering - lively, welcoming and full of good food. Meals are prepared and cooked fresh on site, with something different on offer each day. Whatever your tastes or dietary needs, we’ve got you covered, just let us know in advance.

A member of the kitchen staff is serving food behind a glass display, with two young people looking at the food on offer, in a casual cafeteria setting.

Free time

There’s plenty to do after a day outdoors. Play a game of pool or table football, catch up with friends on the lawn, or just take a seat in one of the social spaces and watch a film on Netflix. Wi-Fi is available (but phone signal can be a bit hit and miss). Our little on-site shop opens once each week, stocked with snacks and souvenirs.
A group of young people outdoors on a grassy field, some of them are sat on a large, bright pink novelty deck chair, with a mountainous landscape and trees in the background.

Step inside

Take a virtual walk around the centre with Chloe.

A large, cream-coloured Georgian-style building with pink window frames, surrounded by greenery and a gravel driveway in front.

What adventure looks like here

From paddling in the lake to conquering peaks, there's so much to see and do.

Smiling young person wearing a blue helmet and red life jacket, with two others in similar gear, outdoors near water with greenery and cloudy sky in the background.
A girl in an orange helmet and red waterproof jacket helping someone up a mossy rocky slope outdoors, surrounded by greenery with a blurred natural background.
A person pours water from a kettle into a green mug, with two people sitting on grass in a mountain landscape in the background.
A young man wearing a helmet and climbing gear leans against a rock face outdoors, with mountains and a lake in the background on a cloudy day.
Group of four people in waterproof jackets carrying a canoe along a lakeside path surrounded by green trees and misty hills.
Six tents with glowing interior lights are set up on snow under a starry night sky with scattered clouds.
Children in red waterproof suits and helmets help each other across a shallow gorge with rocks, surrounded by trees and flowing water.
Person in safety gear jumping into a lake with greenery and hills in the background during daytime.

Getting to Ullswater

Set in the heart of the Lake District, Ullswater might feel off the beaten track - but really, it's quite easy to find.

Out of the way, not out of reach

Most groups travel by coach or minibus, but Penrith train station is nearby and well-connected. If you're travelling from further afield, Manchester Airport is around 1.5 hours away.

We’ll send full travel details once your booking is confirmed. And if you’re unsure about anything, just get in touch.

Directions to Ullswater Centre

From the M6 motorway

Leave the M6 at junction 40, then take the A66 towards Keswick. At the next roundabout turn left onto the A592 sign-posted Ullswater. Follow the A592 for 4 miles until you reach a T-junction, turn right at the junction (with the Lake now on your left) and continue along the A592. The Centre is sign-posted and is the second turning on the left after the Macdonald Leeming House Hotel.

From the west/south Lakes (A593 Northwards over Kirkstone Pass)

Take the A592 over Kirkstone Pass, keeping Ullswater lakeshore on the right-hand side for approximately 13 miles. The Outward Bound Trust’s Ullswater centre entrance is sign-posted – a right turn into the drive immediately after the The Ullswater View B & B.

From the A66 East

At the first roundabout at Penrith, go straight across onto the A66 towards Keswick. Go straight across the second roundabout and at the third roundabout turn left onto the A592, signposted 'Ullswater'. Follow the A592 for 4 miles until you reach a T-junction, turn right at the junction (with the Lake now on your left) and continue along the A592. The centre is sign-posted and is the second turning on the left after the Macdonald Leeming House Hotel.

Which train stations are nearest to Ullswater?

Penrith – 8 miles from centre.

Which airports are nearest to Ullswater?

Manchester Airport – 120 miles from centre.

Coming from overseas

If you fly into Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport website

Routes from Manchester Airport to Ullswater 

Outward Bound Coach Transfer service picks up from Penrith, this is the nearest town to Ullswater - Find out more

Manchester Airport has its own train station 

If you fly into any London Airport 

Routes from London to Penrith run out of Euston Station 

Trying to decide which Outward Bound Centre to go to?

It's a tough choice, we know! From coastal adventures in Wales, mountain peaks in the Lake District, and lochs and Munros in the Scottish Highlands, each of our centres offers something a bit different - choose the landscape that speaks to you.

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Far from any desk - career journeys begin in Eskdale Valley, Lake District.
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Howtown

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At the foot of the spectacular Glyderau mountains in Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales.
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Ullswater

On the waters edge, right in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
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A pastel-coloured Georgian-style house with columns, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the background on a cloudy day.

Loch Eil

The one and only Outward Bound Centre in Scotland.
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