YHA Patterdale

These lands are made for walking – and watersports, and cruising around in boats... Start off on dry land with the many hikes available from the local village: Patterdale’s Westmorland and Ullswater valley setting is regarded as one of the best for hiking in all the Lakes. As well as the Striding Edge walk, fells within hiking distance include High Street, Place Fell, Fairfield and Red Screes, with Stony Cove Pike further afield at the end of the valley towards Ambleside. Around Ullswater, clamber up the fells of Gowbarrow and Hallin, or pack a hefty picnic and set off on the 20-mile Ullswater Way passing Pooley Bridge, Aria Force, Glenridding and Howtown. (Do proudly pick up a pin badge celebrating your achievement for full boasting purposes back home; bag one at the Glenridding Tourist Information Centre, Ullswater Steamers Pier House and a few other businesses along the way.) And next… watery options around these watery lands. Start with a steamer trip on Ullswater (obvs), then have a day at Glenridding’s sailing centre a mile and a half from the hostel. You should also venture for a day trip at Windermere (25 minutes’ drive or 55 minutes by bus), for steamer rides, ferry rides, boating clubs (five), a sailing club and a rowing club... after all that, puff along to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway for a summer steam train ride.