Watermillock: Ullswater Way and Heritage

Watermillock offers two distinct perspectives for planning a trip: the Ullswater Way and its architectural and local history. For walks, you can choose between the complete circuit around the lake and shorter sections. All Saints Church, historic farm buildings and three Herdwick Stones point to different eras and traditions. The landscape also has several facets—from views over Ullswater to geological layers beneath fields and rock in stream beds.

Walking the Ullswater Way

The Ullswater Way is a signposted, 20-mile circular route around the entire lake. You can walk the whole circuit or choose shorter sections. This makes a clear difference when planning: you can base your plans on the complete circuit or focus on individual sections. Shorter sections can be combined with the Ullswater Steamers and local bus services. Check the timetables if you plan to use these connections.

The section from Pooley Bridge to Aira Force leads to Watermillock Church and then through the quiet woods of Swinburn Park. All Saints Church lies just below Priest’s Fell on the Ullswater Way. Three Herdwick Stones stand along another section, between Watermillock and Gowbarrow. They honour the role of sheep farming in the cultural heritage of the Ullswater Valley and the Lake District.

Churches and architectural history

Watermillock has had a church since 1218; it originally stood on the site of today’s Old Church Hotel. All Saints Church was built from local stone in 1881 by local craftsmen. Its masonry is made of Lakeland slate and features carved details in red sandstone. The church also has Victorian stained-glass windows. Watermillock thus brings together early church history and a 19th-century building.

The Marshall Monument stands about four metres north of All Saints Church. The Grade II listed chest tomb is dedicated to John Marshall, who died in 1845, and his wife Jane, who died in 1847. Its short distance from the church and the monument’s precise classification make it a distinct feature of local architectural history.

The residential and farm buildings also reflect different building periods. Watermillock House dates from the late 17th century and was extended in the late 18th century. The house and the adjoining part of Magnolia Cottage are Grade II* listed. Cove Farm and Smithy in Watermillock also date from the late 17th century; alterations were made in the early 18th century. These dates distinguish the buildings without reducing them to the same building period.

Landscape and nature

Watermillock overlooks Ullswater, with Little Mell Fell in the background. The grassy areas in Watermillock churchyard are rich in wildflowers. Geology offers another perspective on the landscape: in the Watermillock area, including Swinburn’s Park, the oldest Ordovician formations lie mostly beneath the fields. Black slate rocks of the Skiddaw Group, by contrast, are exposed in some stream beds. The landscape therefore offers both visible landforms and geological layers that remain mostly hidden.

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For the main travel overview: Cumbria.