I'm always up for a trip to Ullswater - I agree that, from a base at the Pooley Bridge end of the lake it normally works out to be a beat up to Glenridding and then a nice run home. I was up there last weekend cycling and look forward to being up there again with the boat. I was there with the Bayraider in May this year and camped and launched at Park Foot campsite. I used to stay at Waterside but I think Park Foot, which is between Waterside and Pooley Bridge offers several advantages in addition to being a significantly shorter walk to the pub at Pooley.
The launching beach shelves nicely and the water gets deeper reasonably quickly. There are also several moorings nearby which may well be vacant in May for overnight use - see buoys in photo. At Waterside, as I recall, it is rather shallow for a long way out. Also, at Park Foot there is a handy area near the beach to rig boats, park cars and trailers, etc. The lake side camping field is very large which makes it's easy when you're arriving with a 20' boat attached.
The cost of launching is very reasonable, I think it adds about £2.50 if you're camping - maybe a bit more if you're staying somewhere else. I see that at Glenridding Sailing Centre it's at least £20 per day!
The camping facilities at Park Foot are excellent and extensive, although early in the season the wash rooms on the lakeside field may or may not be open (in which case it is necessary to cross the road to the main site). I think there are also log cabins to rent if you don't fancy camping alternatively there's accommodation in Pooley Bridge which is only a short walk along the lakeside.
Anyway, there's my pitch for Park Foot. I should have carried out lots of mods to the boat by then and will be dying to try them out!
I've also posted a couple of photos:
The first one shows the launch area (dead ahead) with the area for prepping boats and parking trailers, etc, on the right through the gate.
The second is a closer shot of the launch spot.
The third is a general view of the camping area.
