Exploring Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Published:: 01 September 2024

Woman in red waterproof jacket and man in blue puffer jacket walking with a small black dog on a woodland path — Visitors walking their dog at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park, Cumbria | © James Beck

Discover Aira Force and Gowbarrow Fell, where cascading waterfalls meet ancient woodland. Once a deer park, this dramatic landscape inspired Wordsworth’s poetry. Wander through glades, climb to panoramic views over Ullswater, and enjoy seasonal colour as bracken turns gold and trees reveal their sculptural forms. A perfect fell-top escape.

Avoid the crowds

Our busiest times at Aira Force are between 11am and 3pm. Our car parks can fill up fast at these times and spaces can be limited. For the best chance of finding a parking space, we recommend arriving outside of our peak times.

Finding your way around

There are a several walks, of varying length, available at Aira Force. The waterfall trails range from 0.5 miles to 2 miles. There is a large map on display by the welcome building that we recommend taking a photo of, or why not print off and bring your own? A map of Aira Force is available here. Or, speak to the team at the welcome building who will be happy to help with walking routes.

There are four National Trust car parks giving you options for your Ullswater adventure;

Aira Force car park is best for access to the waterfalls and facilities. During busy times (bank holidays, school holidays and sunny weekends) the car park usually fills up by 11am, so arriving early is recommended.
Glencoyne Bay offers access to lakeside picnics, watersports and a longer trail to visit the Aira Force waterfalls.
High Cascades is best for accessing the high fells or enjoying the 1.5 mile round trip to the waterfalls at Aira Force.
Park Brow is good for accessing the high fells, with a shorter 0.5 mile round trip to Aira Force.

Walks in Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

From relaxing strolls to fell-top expeditions, when it comes to walking you're spoilt for choice in Ullswater. A network of way marked trails weaves its way from Ullswater lakeshore to Gowbarrow summit, passing through towering Himalayan firs, rare red squirrels, woodland glades, picnic spots and views out across Ullswater.

You can plan ahead by downloading a walking trail from our website.

Arrive by boat to Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

You can start your day in Glenridding and arrive by boat, taking in the sights of Ullswater valley along the way, then stroll back to Glenridding through Glencoyne Park and along the lakeshore. Please book with Ullswater Steamers directly on their website.

Picnics

There are some fantastic picnic spots at Aira Force. If it's dry, roll out a rug by the lake at Aira Green, on the Glade, or find a spot at one of our picnic benches near the Welcome building. Pick up some hot or cold food and drinks from the tea-room or takeaway unit. If you bring your own reusable cup to the Aira Force tea-room you'll get 25p off your hot drink.

Space to for wild play

Winding paths through the woods, bridges over becks, stepping stones to hop between, trees to make dens below and a grassy glade all offer space for imaginative play.

For families the La’al Adventure Box offers games, nature trail and wellies to ensure you have a great adventure whatever the weather. (Available in the main Aira Force car park in school holidays from February to October.)

Children playing in the stream at Aira Force in the Lake District — Aira Force is a great place for a splash and a paddle | © National Trust Images / James Beck

A visitor centre from the side with autumn trees beyond and people standing outside — Visitor welcome centre at Aira Force and Ullswater | © National Trust/Stewart Smith Photography

Wildlife and trees

Spot a rare red squirrel

The numbers of these shy and elusive creatures have dropped over the years and Aira Force is one of the few remaining places in England where native red squirrels still thrive. Stay alert and see if you can spot a rare red squirrel on your walk. The best time is early in the day or late afternoon when there are fewer people around. National Trust at Aira Force is working with Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group to create the habitat that helps the red squirrels to thrive.

Look out for champion trees

Take your time to explore the woodland glades, following the trail around the Aira Force waterfall and enjoying the fascinating collection of trees as you go. See striking ancient and veteran trees, including stately oaks and alder on the Patterdale and Glenamara Park walk.

Mushroom spotting at Aira Force

Mushrooms thrive in damp conditions, and with the woodlands at Aira Force being next to a waterfall and a stream, the woodlands are the perfect place to spot them. Please don’t touch or eat the mushrooms. If you do touch them, make sure you wash your hands.

Amethyst deceiver

The amethyst deceiver is a small brightly coloured mushroom that grows in both deciduous and coniferous forests. The cap is 1–6cm in diameter and is a deep purplish lilac colour when moist and fades as the mushroom dries out. The stem is the same colour as the cap and is fibrous, hollow and fairly tough. It appears in later summer to early winter and has been coined ‘the deceiver’ as its bright amethyst colouration fades with age and weathering, often making it difficult to identify.

Yellow stagshorn fungus

Yellow stagshorn is a jelly fungus that has a bright orange/yellow colour with a gelatinous texture and is slimy to the touch. It is relatively large for a jelly fungus, growing to about 10cm in height. It is widespread usually growing on decaying conifer wood, typically stumps and roots. It fruits throughout the year but is most seen in autumn.

Hairy curtain crust

The hairy curtain crust is a fungus that varies much in colour, often making it quite difficult to identify. It has rippled edges and is commonly quite hairy when fruitbodies are young, but these do become smoother with age. It is common and widespread throughout Britain but is considered a truly international fungus as it is deemed native to many countries across the world. It grows on dead hardwood trees and fallen branches, particularly oak and beech.

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Water sports

Ullswater offers fantastic opportunities for paddle sports. While the water can look tempting on a calm summer day, Lake District weather can easily change. You should always be aware of the weather and its impact on the water. Check out the local weather forecast and the Lake District National Park's guide to getting on the water for access information and safety videos.

Canoe and kayak lock-up points

For those visitors that wish to arrive at Aira Force in their own boat there are lock-up points available. On the side of the boardwalk at Aira Green (where the Ullswater Steamers pier is) you will find some anchor points for securing your canoe or kayak to when you arrive at Aira Force. You will need to bring your own lock, but then you can head out to explore Aira Force and Gowbarrow park leaving your vessel safely behind.

Kayaking and canoeing from Glencoyne Bay

Park at Glencoyne car park and launch your vessel just across the road at Glencoyne Bay. The pebbled beach and relatively shallow lake edge makes it an ideal place to set off on an adventure. 

Paddle boarding 

If you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque sport to do, below an impressive Lake District sunset, paddle boarding on Ullswater is the way to end an active day.

Venture further

Explore the wider countryside in Ullswater to avoid the busy spots. The Ullswater Way is a 22 mile walking route that goes around the lake. Taking you through spectacular landscape rich in history and cultural heritage. It is divided into 4 sections, each served by the Ullswater Steamers. There are steamer piers at Aira Force, Glenridding, Pooley Bridge and Howtown.