Aira Force
Probably the most famous of the Lake District waterfalls, the main force falls 70 feet from below a stone footbridge. Aira Force provides a glimpse of a landscaped Victorian park with dramatic waterfalls, arboretum and rocks scenery.
Plan Around Aira Force
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Aira Force Details
In the 1780's the Howard family of Greystoke Castle had an old hunting lodge or Pele tower close to the Ullswater shore renovated into what is now Lyulph's Tower, set among its own sporting estate. They landscaped the area around the force, and used it as a pleasure garden, planting over half a million native and ornamental trees, and established a network of tracks, footpaths and bridges. In 1846, the Howards created an arboretum below Aira Force, planting over 200 specimen conifers (firs, pines, spruces and cedars) from all over the world, including a Sitka Spruce, now 118 feet high. After a walk along this part of Ullswater, Wordsworth wrote "I wandered lonely as a cloud". In 1906 Gowbarrow Park, including Aira Force, came up for sale for housing plots. An appeal was launched by the then recently formed National Trust, which resulted in the purchase of 750 acres. The bridges were built in honour of two members of the Spring-Rice family from nearby Watermillock, and were erected by friends and members of the family. In All Saints Church at Watermillock, there are memorial tablets to members of the Spring-Rice family, one of whom wrote the words to the hymn "I vow to thee my Country". An audio trail on cassette is available from the National Trust information vehicle for those with impaired vision, together with a "talking postcard". Wheelchair and pram access to Aira Beck is possible. There is a cafe by the large car park, which contains information panels describing the area and its history. Leaflets are available describing the story of Aira Force and Gowbarrow, and family walks from the car park. Address (near): A592, Penrith CA11 0JY, UK
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Nearby Parks Around Aira Force
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Aira Force
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Aira Force while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Lyulph's Tower
An historic former hunting lodge close to a spectacular waterfall.
1.2 mi away
Ullswater Way
The 20-mile Ullswater Way is a newer walking trail circling the Ullswater lake. It can be completed as a loop hike or broken into sections.
2.0 mi away
Side Farm Camping Site
No reservations are accepted but call ahead for information on availability.
2.1 mi away
Ullswater Information Centre
Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2.2 mi away
Martindale
The quiet Martindale valley nestles between the lakes of Ullswater and Haweswater.
