Glenridding is a small village at the southern tip of Ullswater, one of the Lake District's most beautiful lakes. It sits in a deep valley below Helvellyn, England's third-highest peak, and serves as the main starting point for the classic ascent via Striding Edge, a narrow arête that is one of the most exhilarating ridge walks in England. The scramble is not technically difficult in good weather, but it demands a head for heights and proper footwear.
From the pier at Glenridding, the Ullswater Steamers run the length of the lake to Pooley Bridge at the northern end, stopping at Howtown on the eastern shore. The best way to enjoy this is to take the boat to Howtown and walk back along the lakeshore path to Glenridding, a route of about 11 kilometres that Wainwright called "the most beautiful and rewarding walk in Lakeland." The path rises and falls through oak woodland and open fellside with constantly changing views of the lake.
A short drive north along the lakeshore road leads to Aira Force, a dramatic waterfall in a wooded gorge — one of the most visited natural features in the Lake District and associated with Wordsworth's poetry. The village itself is small and functional, with a handful of pubs, outdoor shops, and a useful information centre. Glenridding gets busy on fine weekends, and parking fills up early in summer, so arriving before 9am is wise if you are heading for Helvellyn.