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Pooley Bridge
Boats from Pooley Bridge.jpeg
Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge is located in Cumbria
Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge
OS grid reference NY471244
Civil parish
  • Barton and Pooley Bridge
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town PENRITH
Postcode district CA10
Dialling code 017684
Police Cumbria
Fire Cumbria
Ambulance North West
EU Parliament North West England
UK Parliament
  • Westmorland and Lonsdale
List of places
UK
England
Cumbria
54°36′43″N 2°49′14″W / 54.61197°N 2.82058°W / 54.61197; -2.82058

Pooley Bridge is a lovely village in the Eden District of Cumbria, a county in northwest England. It's found within the historic area of Westmorland.

The Famous Pooley Bridge

Pooley Bridge (geograph 1822495)
The old Pooley bridge, built in 1764, was washed away by floods in December 2015.

The village gets its name from a special bridge. This bridge crosses the River Eamont right where it flows out of Ullswater, one of England's most beautiful lakes.

A Bridge Through Time

The first bridge here was built way back in the 1500s. Later, in 1764, a new bridge was built to replace it. This old stone bridge was a much-loved landmark for many years.

The Bridge's Collapse and Rebuilding

Sadly, on December 6, 2015, the old Pooley Bridge collapsed. This happened because of very heavy flooding caused by Storm Desmond. It was a big moment for the village.

But the people of Pooley Bridge didn't give up! A temporary bridge was quickly put in place. It opened on March 20, 2016, so people could cross the river again.

Then, a brand new, modern bridge was built. This amazing stainless steel bridge was carefully lifted into place in May 2020. It officially opened in October 2020, bringing a new chapter to the village's history.

Exploring Pooley Bridge

Pooley Bridge is a popular spot, especially in the summer. Many tourists come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the village's friendly atmosphere.

Ullswater 'Steamers'

From Pooley Bridge, you can hop on a boat called an Ullswater 'Steamer'. These ferries take you on a wonderful journey across the lake. You can travel to other villages like Glenridding and Howtown. It's a fantastic way to see the lake and the surrounding mountains.

What's in a Name?

The village used to be known as Pooley or Pool How. This name means "the hill by the pool or stream." It comes from old words: pollr from Old English and haugr from Old Norse, which means "hill" or "mound."

Village Life and Visitors

Most of Pooley Bridge is part of the civil parish called Barton and Pooley Bridge. A civil parish is like a local area with its own small government.

The village has lots of places for visitors to stay. There are hotels, guest houses, and camping sites. This makes it a great base for exploring the stunning Lake District National Park.

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