Ullswater at Glenridding isnt exactly the wild swimming location in the Lake District for getting away from the crowds, but on most days, you can find a decent spot to call your own. But if youre ready to channel your inner Wim Hof, then you probably wont find a more dramatic swimming spot. The upside of living in the rainiest place in England is that there is (usually) a great selection of wonderful swimming spots to explore. If its your first time, stay close to the shore while you get used to the conditions. After your thoroughly adventurous swim, head back down to Seathwaite Farm along Grains Ghyll completing a day out in the Lake District that you wont forget in a hurry. 1. Kail and Pillar pots are beautiful pools to sit and be massaged by the relaxing flow of the water. You need to walk to the left of the lower falls and youll see a rocky slab. This is a lake and a wild swim that will take your breath away with the pure scale and beauty of your surroundings. Look at the websites for the Lake District and for Cumbria, for any information and guidelines before you set out. Its one of our favourite pubs in the Lake District and a great way to end a day of wild swimming. Another reason for its popularity is that it can be reached via such an easy well maintained trail. The book takes you on magical journeys through Britain?s most popular walking and swimming region, combining classic Lakes fell walking with adventurous swimming, collating the very best swims and hikes in Lakeland. ( in my opinion). While wild swimming is hugely enjoyable for both exercise and the natural beauty that you experience, there are certain things that you need to ensure so that your safety and that of others are looked after when taking advantage of the Lake Districts wild open water swimming spots. If you feel the current is fine stay near the bank, as the water is usually slower moving. 12.99 . If youre feeling brave you can take a dip in the icy waters beneath Scale Force. The woodland is also a great place to try and spot red squirrels, although we sadly didnt get lucky! Expect the water to be cold and go in bit by bit if youre not used to cold water swimming. There are shallow spots on this list suitable for anyone, but others are very deep. The crossing is approximately 2km, though shorter swims along the shoreline are possible. There is a little dam at the outflow of Blea Water . One-hour driver. After 300m youll see a gate into the woods on the left. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. An eerie mist lingers over the lake, revealing the mountain scene reflected on the perfectly still water in an intermittent rhythm. Just make sure if you do jump, you jump with care. The next part of the circuit has some much boggier ground. Although the track is generally in good condition, small parts of it can be boggy year round. 4 Be aware of the cold, hypothermia can come to you quickly. 3 Do not swim in rivers with strong currents, there is a risk of being swept downstream. We love the small canyon falls which only has a tiny plunge pool, but is incredibly atmospheric. However, it is fairly small and gets full quickly especially at weekends and school holidays. Please Note: Wild Swimming is only available to guests who are residents of Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa. In general, the pools are deep and good for swimming in the wild while you enjoy the water flowing down from above. The only thing to watch out for is a little bit of boggy terrain, not to reach every pool, but to reach a couple of goodies. Our favourite views and photo spots in the Lake District, Explore the remote and rugged Lake District at the Langdale Pikes, Walk Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route for a top Lake District Hike, Find our favourite things to do in the Lake District, Conquer knife-edge ridges on the exhilarating walk up Blencathra, Our pick of the finest walks in the Lake District, Try these heart-pumping grade 1 Lake District scrambles, The best places to stay in the Lake District. But the shelving beach is on the far side (20 minute walk away from the car park), so it retains a slightly off-the-beaten-track feel. Where can I swim for free in the lake district?Any of the main lakes, tarns etc are all free to swim in. Weve been providing free travel content since 2017, helping our readers explore new and familiar destinations. The silver lake beaches between Hoathwaite and Conistan Hall are backed by meadows and ancient parkland, make for a perfect beginners stretch and are situated between the two campsites of the same name. Sunbathe, swim, plunge and enjoy your surroundings up at Galleny Force. The views are gorgeous, not just of the lake itself, but also the surrounding fells. To help decide where to base yourself, read our article on the best places to stay in the Lake District. Exposure Kamm/D-Shaped Seatpost Silicone Insert and Band for Boost R 5.00 Loughrigg Tarn is a reed-fringed lake set among farmland in the heart of the Lake District. Beautifully placed between Buttermere and Loweswater, Crummock Water is one of the lovely wild outdoor swimming spots. The upper pool is more for the daredevils among you. We have you covered. This is an avid favourite among wild swimmers and you are sure to meet others here who are enjoying the water. And you can boast that you've swum in England's deepest lake! Birks Bridge What to Consider When Wild Swimming Dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers A crucial question is always, what is the water temperature? The prices are: up to 2 hours: 3.50, up to 4 hours: 6, up to 12 hours: 8, or weekly: 28 and payable every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and bank holidays. Wild swimming . Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. Black Moss Pot can get a little busy in the summer holidays and on weekends. The best viewpoints in the Lake District - 12 easy to access locations. Read Next Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. 15 mins. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Follow 4 miles to Howtown pier (tricky parking) or approach from Sandwick Bay. This high, craggy cliff beneath Hallin Fell plummets into deep water. Its a beautiful place simply to sit and relax by the water. Come with cobwebs and leave with clarity. There are signposts at the beginning of the walk, but not at the crucial points further along, so we have detailed instructions below. The closest parking is all paid parking, try and snag a spot beside the church which is cheaper than at Rydal Mount (but is right beside the entry gates). A plunge pool underneath a high fall hidden behind rocks. The adventures of Titty, Roger, Susan and John have captured the imagination of children and teenagers for generations and were inspired by Coniston: Peel Island was Wildcat Island and Brown Howe was where the Amazons lived. Although you cant see a waterfall, this is where Scale Force is located, and the place you want to head towards. With grassy knolls and ancient rowan trees, perfect clear water and flat rocks for sunbathing, these are mountain waterfalls to surpass all others. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps. The pool has a beautiful peridot colour water, which was very striking in the late afternoon sunshine. Spend your summer spent swimming in mountain waterfalls, exploring lost ruins and caverns, and camping in ancient forests. The best waterfall and wild swimming waterfall in the Lake District!! Read Next 15 stunning Lake District walks. Holme Fell lake - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. If youre looking for the most beautiful waterfalls in England, youll find them here. With misty lakes, meandering rivers and hidden tarns, there are hundreds of places to wild swim in the Lake District. Looking up at the falls and the surrounding mossy cliff walls was just mesmerising. An unforgettable wild swim. You can actually find it right here in the Lake District! In a lovely wooded section of the valley, the falls curve around the large boulders lining the river, creating atmospheric spots to unwind and go for a dip. While on a cold day the setting might look a little forbidding, find a warm sunny afternoon and you're in for a treat. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District (Wild Things Publishing, 14.99) is available from Swim the Lakes in Ambleside and online at swimthelakes.co.uk, as well from other local stockists including . This is not the only infinity pool in the Lake District, but it is one of the most beautiful. It's significantly colder than many of the other wild swimming spots around the Lakes and the plunge pool is small, so you can't really swim to warm up. Its the perfect spot for a rejuvenating wake-up swim. Several little beaches are sprinkled around the shore where you can launch for a long swim, lay in the shallows or just soak up the views from the bank. After buying a one way ticket to Istanbul we spent a year making our way through Asia before arriving in Australia, where we have been living ever since. In the sunshine, it would rival the prettiest turquoise water weve seen anywhere in the world. Why not combine it with one of these ideas for screen free holidays? This is Waterfall Woods in the Brecon Beacons, a place where you'll find some of the most striking and awe-inspiring waterfall plunge pools. From the SE corner of Hodge Close quarry (itself an amazing place), a path leads up through woods to old mine ruins 300m. While on a cold day the setting might look a little forbidding, find a warm sunny afternoon and youre in for a treat. I say brave because the water is ice cold even in summer. Two perfect rocky pools with an incredible colour, surrounded by a breathtaking canyon full of waterfalls, wildlife and flowers. Swimming is a fantastic exercise and when you can do it out in the open with such stunning scenery, it enhances the experience immensely. Rydal Bower 14. From fairytale falls that shoot through narrow canyons, to those with turquoise pools that wouldnt look out of place in Bali. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for that remote mountain feel. About a 30-40 minute walk from Sonethwaite, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, is one of the most amazing wild swim spots that the Lake District has to offer. St Patricks boatyard rents kayaks and canoes, so you can take to the water for your own mini-adventure. Take our map with you on your discovery of the amazing wild swimming in the Lake District. The only downside to this spectacular spot is that its not the easiest to reach. Moderate hikes in the Lake District - 7 of the best. The currents under the surface can be significantly stronger than above and can catch you unawares. It really is stunning and well worth doing if you have the right conditions. We couldnt believe it either, and yet even when we visited and the waterfall was in shadow, the water was still undeniably turquoise and absolutely exquisite. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. This workshop helps you to feel relaxed, safe and happy in cold and wild water . Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, Derwentwater is a lake you can swim in the wild any time during the day and get spectacular views while enjoying the water. If you told me I was in the Lake District, Id be gobsmacked. This pool and rocky gorge with its beautiful waterfall is an excellent place for a wild swim and to enjoy the scenery. It's near Rydal Water and you'll park the car at Rydal Hall and track Rydal Beck up stream for about 45 mins. To complete our list is this stunning location. 6 If you are swimming on a river or lake with lots of boats, wear a colourful hat or take a visibility float. From the car park (details below), the walk heads out onto the road and past the pub before turning right, through the gate (after 70m). We're Cat Smith and Joe Bird, two travel fanatics from the U.K. We both caught the travel bug on solo trips in 2003 and have been hopelessly addicted ever since. The tarn is a 5-minute walk from the car park. Its more like an ice bucket challenge! Tucked away in the stunning landscape, you can find some amazing natural swimming holes to explore and enjoy. However, the infinity pool is the lowest pool, if you venture a little higher up the cliff side then youll find a series of other swimming holes. Open water swimming is one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District. The waterfall is easily accessible by trail and road. The Lake District is one of the most. The water is cold and fresh and there's even places where it's deep enough to jump in, sit in a natural . For finding the best locations to explore, a guide such as Suzanna Swims in the north-west Lakes or Colin Hill at Ullswater can offer invaluable advice and brilliant guidance. Out of the 14 major lakes in the national park, only 3 of them do not allow swimming, but which are the best? High up in the mountains, the still water perfectly reflecting the impressive Langdale Pikes is one of the best views in the Lake District. IN THIS GUIDE // LAKE DISTRICT WILD SWIMMING. Its cold already. Wild Swimming Spain: Discover the Most Beautiful Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls of Spain Discover over 150 magical places to swim and explore in Spain. If I was randomly dropped at Scale Force and asked where I thought I was, Id say New Zealand (or maybe Iceland). A crisp air drifts from the nearby mountains, covering us in a reluctance to dive in the water. It plunges into a sheer ravine and the force of the water and dramatic scenery make for a mesmerising scene. 7 Avoid areas of blue-green algae, wading in muddy areas or swimming with an open cut. The book takes you on magical journeys through Britain's most popular walking and swimming region, combining classic Lakes fell walking with . Grasmere is situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Jumping from the cliffs into the deep water below can give you a huge adrenalin rush. Know your own limits. What a beautiful walk in the Langdale valley, whatever the weather the views are breathtaking. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Gill Force More Wild Places To Swim Outdoors 15. This is another waterfall which has created a series of smaller cascades and a range of different swimming holes. Wood behind, beach alongside; its a great spot. Waterfalls. The best places to go wild swimming near waterfalls in the UK, from rivers in Cornwall to pools in National Parks in Yorkshire, the Lake District and Scotland Its so dramatic and feels like youve entered a secret world - you just cant believe that metres away lies an open landscape of lakes and fells. The Lake District is an excellent destination for open water swimming. The Lake District is a popular national park in northern England covering an area of 2,300 square kilometres. From river swims and lake dips to a good soak under a waterfall, have plenty of spots spread right across the county that are ideal for a truly immersive Lake District experience! Seeing a fish or two while swimming in the wild here is not uncommon and only adds to your enjoyment. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, Derwentwater is a lake you can swim in the wild any time during the day and get spectacular views while enjoying the water. Here we reveal some of our favourites. Coordinates: 54.4428 N, 3.2920 W 2. In the early morning, as the mist slowly drifts from the lake, Blea Tarn is lavished with a cache of serenity. In terms of the walk, its very easy and barely has any uphill whatsoever. Now you have seen 17 of the very best wild swimming spots in the Lake District we hope that you will make the time to go and enjoy them. Park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass near Brotherinkeld Farm then walk up the Eskdale Valley. Its an easy track that is flat for the majority of the way. You cant swim in the pool, but its more than enough to simply sit and take in the idyllic scene. Its a fabulous canyonesque waterfall that I never see anyone talk about which is pretty mind boggling. The lovely thing about this part of the walk is you are now following the shore of Crummock Water. After 700m you leave the lake shore behind, and up to this point the whole walk has been flat. You can read more, including details on a second swimming spot, in this guide. The Sava Bohinjka River provides a chilly thrill for flow-swimming fans. Swimming in Lake District resources: These are what we used in deciding where and how to swim: Lake district national park swimming page: http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/water/swimming Explains what waters/lake you can and cannot swim in and additionally, which one have less boat traffic etc.