ullswater heritage...
Dalemain
Fine Georgian mansion built around a 12th century pele tower, which has been the home of the Hasel family since 1679. The imposing pink ashlar façade hides an internal maze of grand Georgian rooms, a medieval hall and Norman pele tower that reflects the house's chequered development. The large courtyard barn houses a collection of agricultural machinery and a display on Cumbria's native Fell Pony. The colourful gardens provide the backdrop for several festivals and shows every year. Guided tours of the house are available from Easter to Oct, Sun-Thu (from 11.15 onwards). Gardens and tearoom open Easter-Dec, 10.30-5.00 (11.00-4.00 in winter). Closed mid Dec to early Feb. Admission charge. more info
Ullswater Steamers
The perfect way to enjoy Ullswater is by taking a cruise on one of the steamers. There are regular sailings between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding, calling at Howtown on the eastern shore. A popular option is to take the steamer from Glenridding to Howtown and then walk back along the lakeshore. There are also Cumbrian evening buffet cruises, Santa Specials and the ‘spooktacular' Ghostly Galleon voyage - see website for further details. Special tickets are available for walkers and reductions for family groups. Shop and information centres in Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. Sailings all year round, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. more info
St Andrew's Church, Dacre
Although the church is largely of Norman construction, it stands on the probable site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery referred to by the Venerable Bede in 731 AD. In the chancel are two fragments of early cross-shafts; one of which bears carvings of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Above are two figures holding hands - thought to commemorate the signing of a peace treaty between the kings of Scotland, England and Cumbria at Dacre in 926 AD. The sandstone effigy of a knight in the sanctuary is probably that of Ranulph de Dacre (1290-1339). Outside in the churchyard are the famous Dacre stone ‘bears' (some say lions), thought to depict a bear asleep with his head resting on a pillar, a bear being attacked by a cat that has jumped on its back, a bear trying to shake off the cat and finally a bear eating the cat.
St Martin's Church, Martindale
Rustic dales-type chapel dating from the 16th century, but an earlier reference mentions a church on this site in 1266. Although there is little left of the original chapel, the ancient yew tree in churchyard (estimated to be 1300 years old) has probably spanned the lifetime of both churches. Internally, the whitewashed church is simply furnished with pews and a pulpit dating from 1634. The sandstone font was originally a Roman wayside shrine from High Street and bears deep incisions from knife and weapon sharpening over the centuries.
St Peter's Church, Martindale
The ‘new' church of St Peter replaced the old chapel of St Martin's in 1882. Inside, the beautiful stained-glass windows installed in 1975 portray the lives of four saints associated with Martindale - St Peter, St Ninian, St Patrick and St Martin. Another window is dedicated to the men of HMS Glorious, sunk off the Norwegian coast in 1940.
St Patrick's Church, Patterdale
Several needlework panels by Ann Macbeth - a nationally acclaimed embroiderer of the early 20th century - have pride of place in this Victorian church.
Matterdale Church
Attractive small church overlooking Gowbarrow Park. Its crude buttressed tower, simple wooden pews and candle lighting evoke an atmosphere of timelessness.
St Michael's Church, Barton
This ancient parish church once served a huge parochial area (from Eamont Bridge to Kirkstone), yet it lies in an isolated spot with only a few farms for company. The dominant feature is the central squat tower that internally segregates the chancel from the nave. Although of Norman construction, the church stands on a slightly raised mound within a circular churchyard which, together with the dedication to St Michael, suggests this was a pre-Christian site for some time before. Many members of William Wordsworth's family are buried at Barton Church.
