Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Lake District

Aira Force is a showcase for the power and beauty of nature; it’s a place to escape the ordinary.

near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS

Opening times
See on map

Bridge over Aira Force waterfall, Ullswater, Lake District, Cumbria

Audio guide
There are audio guides online.
Audio guide - more information
Car park
Parking at Aira Force car park £6 for 2 hours, £8 for 4 hours or £9.50 all day. Glencoyne Bay, Park Brow & High Cascades car parks £5.50 for 2 hours, £7.50 for 4 hours, £9 all day. Cash or parking app to pay. NT members park for free - please scan membership card at the pay and display machine to obtain ticket.
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads welcome. Due to the wildlife, surrounding livestock and the experience of all our visitors, dogs must remain on leads at all times during your visit.
Picnic area
Tea-room
Tea room serving drinks, snacks and ice cream with indoor and outdoor seating. Takeaway available. Drinking water taps around the car park and tea-room for people to refill drinking bottles.
Toilet
Small toilet block in the main Aira Force car park (including an accessible toilet). Portaloos provided in summer when site is busy, situated next to permanent toilets. Next closest public toilets situated in Glenridding village (3 miles south on the A592.)
Toilet - more information
Accessible parking spaces. Mobility toilet. Waterfall not accessible by wheelchair. Much of the countryside is steep and rugged.
Click here to see the full Accessibility Guide for Aira Force - AccessAble.co.uk
Accessible route and/or map
There is a busyness map and a map of the walking routes.
Accessible route and/or map - more information
Accessible toilet
Mobility toilet adjacent to car park entrance
Accessible toilet - more information
Designated parking
It is possible to drop visitors off outside the Welcome Building if all designated parking bays are full.
Designated parking - more information
Drop-off point
Drop-off point - more information
Induction loop
Induction loop - more information
Large print (guide or menu)
There is a large print introduction to Aira Force and Gowbarrow and its history.
Large print (guide or menu) - more information
Photograph album
There is a sensory story that describes the sights and sounds you might experience at Aira Force.
Photograph album - more information
Seating available
Steps/uneven terrain
Much of Aira Force and the countryside is steep and rugged The waterfall is not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair.
Steps/uneven terrain - more information
Virtual tour
There is a Virtual Reality (VR) experience that follows the footpaths to Aira Force waterfall and Gowbarrow Fell.
Virtual tour - more information
Wheelchairs available
1 manual wheelchair is available from the Welcome Building
Wheelchairs available - more information
Visitor Welcome Building - what3words: ///agreeable.dove.growl
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
Approach the valley via Windermere and Bowness (A592) and Ambleside (The Struggle) for a scenic drive down the steep windy Kirkstone Pass. Alternatively access the valley from Junction 40 of the M6, or from Keswick/Penrith on the A66.
Parking: Main Aira Force Car Park postcode CA11 0JS. Pay for parking with card or cash at the ticket machine or use the parking app. (£6 for 2 hours, £8 for 4 hours, £9.50 all day). National Trust members park for free. Glencoyne Bay* - Postcode CA11 0NQ, OS reference NY386180 High Cascades* - Postcode CA11 0JY, OS reference NY397211 Park Brow* - Postcode CA11 0JY, OS reference NY397206 *£5.50 for 2 hours, £7.50 for 4 hours, £9 all day, National Trust members park for free.
Sat Nav: use CA11 0JS (please note that SatNav does not always take you directly to the car park so look out for signposts for Aira Force.) What3Words: ///chromatic.tractor.port
By road - more information
On foot
From Glenridding (3 miles) or Glencoyne Bay (1.5 miles), follow the low-level, off-road footpath to Aira Force. From Pooley Bridge, a more challenging 6.5 mile walk over undulating, mixed-terrain footpaths (map recommended.) The Ullswater Way includes the above trails, details and maps can be found here. The Coast to Coast long distance footpath passes through the Ullswater Valley as it cuts across the country running from St Bees in the north west to Robin Hood's Bay in the north east. The Cumbria Way passes within 4 miles, with footpaths which link to Ullswater
By train
Penrith 10 miles
By bus
Stagecoach bus service 508 from Penrith takes about 30mins. 509 runs on Saturday & Sunday from Keswick - Penrith, get off at Aira Force Park Brow stop. UB1 Ullswater Hopper connects holiday accommodation in the valley with Aira Force and Ullswater Steamers. Runs on weekends and bank holidays until 2 November, daily service between 25 – 30 May and 30 June - 29 August. Bus 509 connects Keswick – Aira Force - Glenridding – Patterdale – Pooley Bridge – Penrith. Runs on weekends and bank holidays until 2 November.
By bus - more information
Cycling
NCN71, 2 miles
Cycling - more information
By ferry
Ullswater Steamers operate from Glenridding and run services to Aira Force.

Opening times for 15 November 2025
Asset	Opening time
Countryside	Dawn - Dusk
Aira Force car park	Dawn - Dusk
Tea-room	10:00 - 15:00

Family-friendly things to do at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Go on an outdoor adventure at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park this autumn. Whether you're following the pathway through the woodland to see the waterfall, looking for rare red squirrels or skimming stones on the shore of Ullswater there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had come rain or shine.

A family walks along a path through an autumn forest

Access at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

We’re working to make Aira Force and Gowbarrow as accessible as possible. While the rugged terrain poses challenges, steps are being taken to ensure everyone can enjoy the site’s history and beauty. Learn more about accessibility and how to plan your visit. Aira Force supports the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.