Summer Diary 2019
Poetry in Motion - Ullswater Steamers 160th Anniversary

With the summer holidays upon us we have already had some beautiful long summer days and exceptional evenings, allowing visitors to enjoy the gardens, fells and Lake. The gardens and in particular the rose border has been stunning and with the almost perfect weather an abundance of crops have already been gathered to provide a good supply of winter feed for Cote Farm.

This year has been a special time for Ullswater Steamers, celebrating their 160th anniversary.  On an idyllic July evening and for the first time ever, all five boats from the Ullswater Steamers fleet were assembled in Howtown Bay to mark the anniversary. Like symmetry in motion, the boats glided into a circular formation and performed several circuits of the bay, before moving away in a choreographed move.

With the Howtown pier on the doorstep, the Hotel is the perfect location from which to undertake a circular walk and return by steamer, allowing you to walk further then relax and enjoy the views with a leisurely cruise on the return journey, seeing the Lake and Fells from a totally different perspective.

With this in mind we have included a walk from Howtown to Pooley Bridge returning by steamer on our gallery page.
Click here to download from our Archive Section

Here at Howtown we sometimes take for granted just how spectacular the walks are from our doorstep. The ability to get away from it all in this day and age is something which does not often happen and although we don't want walks to take over this diary I have included another circular walk which Joy, a friend of Howtown did with her son.  Click here to download from our Archive Section

We always enjoy sharing information on the history of the area and look forward to hearing Dr Rob David speaking of Howtown as ‘ A Hotbed of Communist Activity during the 1940’s. – An entertaining tale of intrigue and subterfuge involving spies’ taking refuge in Martindale as they are pursued by MI5, and the local police force. This talk is on Thursday 15th August at 5.30pm – all welcome.

And finally . . . An update on The Bridge

Any of you who have passed through Pooley Bridge over the past month or so cannot have failed to notice the changes taking place in readiness for work to begin on the new crossing.

The temporary bridge will close to vehicles on the 1st September although a footbridge will be maintained. To compensate for the loss of Dunmallard car park, Cumbria County Council have provided a temporary car park, 100 yards before the junction leaving the B5320. This provides free car parking for up to 30 vehicles, with a shuttle bus to allow visitors to travel safely into the village. The car park also has access to the footpath, which remains open if visitors wish to walk to the village.  During the bridge closure we are assured by the council that, easy to follow diversions will be widely publicised and well signed.

We will keep you informed as work progresses but for further detailed information visit the council website

To view our Summer Gallery click here