There is limited free parking around the village of Buttermere, but it fills up very quickly on weekends and school holidays. Its a beautiful place simply to sit and relax by the water. Walk length: 2 miles (3.2km) returnDifficulty: Moderate. Exposure Kamm/D-Shaped Seatpost Silicone Insert and Band for Boost R 5.00 The pretty waterfall cascades into an emerald pool and its hard to believe such a lovely spot is both free to visit, and a mere five minute easy stroll. [3] From those which are easy strolls, to a few that are slightly harder to reach. Weve been providing free travel content since 2017, helping our readers explore new and familiar destinations. Near the foot of the valley, the Esk River has cut canyons and pools in the rock creating three great pots to wild swim. Park at Coniston Hall (LA21 8AS) and walk south, or disembark at Hoathwaite Landing and walk north (or walk from Torver, LA21 8AX). If youre looking for the most beautiful waterfalls in England, youll find them here. One-hour driver. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. Tongue Pot - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com, The legendary Tongue Pot forms a long emerald pool beneath a roaring waterfall in a cleft of the mountain stream, just beneath a mountain packhorse bridge. Whatever your motive, the UK has some stunning spots for wild swimming, from secluded rocky pools to unspoiled hillside lakes. There is so much to see and experience while swimming in this wild lake. Buttermere is a 30 minute drive from Keswick, 30 minutes from Cockermouth and 1 hour from Ambleside. Leaving Wales off our guide to wild swimming locations in the UK was never an option. Although no one waterfall is huge, each is utterly spectacular. Alternatively, the Wasdale Head pub is just 5 kilometres away. 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). Not suitable for jumping. Make the Moat House Your Wild Swimming Base Set among the lush green pastures of gentle rolling farmland, Loughrigg is less rugged than some of the wild swimming on our list. So if you plan to take a dip in multiple lakes please rinse both yourself, your swimwearand any other equipment thoroughly between each swim. 0 reviews . The waterfall flows into a crystal clear pool and swimming here feels very special. If you are planning to camp, continue on rough track for further 600m to park at Stonethwaite riverside campsite (0176 87 77234). When the sun is shining there is no better place on earth to be. Sourmilk Gyll. Set up camp here for an afternoon and spend your time cooling off in the falls, jumping in from their swing rope or taking a walk along the valley. 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. There is no track and reaching the upper falls requires negotiating quite a lot of rocks, which can be slippery. Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. Wild swims don't come with swankier views than this. After a few hundred metres, the track gets very rocky and youll basically be rock hopping for the next 250m. The upper pool is more for the daredevils among you. However, the pool is small and best enjoyed with as few people as possible - which can be a challenge to achieve as its not a very long or difficult walk (although you do have a bit of a climb on a narrow track). With spectacular ribbon lakes, rugged mountains and charming villages the range of activities on offer spans everything from afternoon scones to adventurous scrambles. As one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, Rydal Water is a peaceful and serene place to go for a wild swim. Climbing higher will see you traversing rougher terrain, but you dont need to go much higher to find the other pools and cascades. The water temperature can fluctuate hugely depending on the time of year and can be significantly colder that the air temperature. 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. If you told me I was in the Lake District, Id be gobsmacked. It does get a little boggy the higher you climb though, even in summer. 7 amazing public swimming lakes to wet your appetite, Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Swimming. Read Next Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. Daniel Start On the water May 31, 2016 10 mins. From great lakes like Windermere, through to small hidden gems such as Tongue Pot, there is a swim out there to suit you all. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out 216. by Pete Kelly. The ghyll (deep ravine) upstream is dramatic and the views over the Great Moss up to the Scafell range is one of the most dramatic in the Lakes. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. It wasnt horrendous on our visit, but it was more extensive than the first part of the circuit and had the potential to be pretty nasty in wetter times. Surrounded by hilly woodlands crisscrossed with jogging tracks, Rydal Water is the perfect place to get active in nature. 15. Approximately 250m of scratchy bracken later youll reach a metal gate. After 300m youll see a gate into the woods on the left. The wild swimming locations on our list aremore remote than many others. On each side sheer rock walls rise up, making the place famous for jumps. 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. There are 4 larger islands on the lake making great targets to head for, as well as numerous smaller islands. It makes for incredibly easy and safe access into the water, just right for young kids. There are two separate pools, one higher than the other. If youre planning a trip to the Lake District, here are more of our guides to help you get the best out of this stunning part of England. Thanks for your support! Looking up to Great Gable mountain at the head of the lake, or across at the spine of rocky scree as you swim, is a great way to while away an afternoon. A brilliant place to explore. Every post from us in chronological order. There are no facilities at Wastwater, but the Saw Mill Caf a few kilometres south is great for coffee and lunch. The only downside to this spectacular spot is that its not the easiest to reach. The brave can descend down to the pool for a dip in the cool waters. The water during the summer months is usually warmer than you would expect. Follow the footpath up the. Its truly wild. The best spot to swim is just south of Countess Beck. The trail is now climbing up alongside the stream, its rocky, but not difficult. 'Wild Swimming' is the ancient art of swimming in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and waterfalls, as well as the sea - the sort of places our great grandparents learnt to swim in and the only places before swimming pools were invented in Victorian times. Park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass near Brotherinkeld Farm then walk up the Eskdale Valley. Theres a shelving beach for easy access plus plenty of grassy banks to while away a few idyllic hours. And you can boast that you've swum in England's deepest lake! This should take around 20 mins. These are ideal places for enjoying a peaceful wild swim. 15 mins. Its a popular location with hikers heading up to the summit of Helvellyn or boat lovers cruising on the Ullswater Steamer. The most important part is to get out there and swim with a smile. As the valley is difficult to get to, few people venture to this beautiful destination. The woodland is also a great place to try and spot red squirrels, although we sadly didnt get lucky! They do a mean pint and have an environmentally friendly menu that explains the carbon footprint for each dish. The plunge pools and waterfalls make it perfect for adventurers and those keen on an alternative to lengthy sessions of front. Hi! With perfectly clear water and sheer edges rising above you in places, you will fall in love with it as soon as you dip your little toe into the water. At a massive length of over 10 miles and 1 mile in width it can seem scary to the newer wild swimmers out there, but please do not be disheartened. The car park has toilets which come with a 50p fee. Keep climbing on the upward path (dont bear R along the wall path) and you reach the lake after 300m more. Theres a little rock wedged between the cliffs at the top of the falls, which gives it a dramatic and wild feel. The walk to Scale Force is largely flat, but there is a climb towards the end. Check for any regulations before hand such as specific areas or times first though. It must be one of the best wild swimming walks in the world. If you are an experienced swimmer then sink in and enjoy the resounding vista of the lake and its surroundings. If only to stroke our sense of adventure andindulge our sense of achievement. Are you allowed to swim in Lakes?The easy answer is yes. You can also swim in the deep pools beneath Dalegarth Bridge on the way up to the parking area some jump from the bridge, and there are rope swings too. It's an activity that has gained popularity over the last few years and the Lake District is top on the list of places to go for many wild swimmers. Hypothermia from wild swimming is known and should be protected against. All we ask is that you swim safely. Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. This is one of our favourite little lakes, and a great escape on a sunny day. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. Thanks for your support. This high, craggy cliff beneath Hallin Fell plummets into deep water. With grassy knolls and ancient rowan trees, perfect clear water and flat rocks for sunbathing, these are mountain waterfalls to surpass all others. There are plenty of hand and footholds to get down the steep dirt track, as well as tree roots for stability. Swim upstream first because you dont want to leave the more tiring work till the end. Read Next The absolute best way up Scafell Pike. The water is cold and fresh and there's even places where it's deep enough to jump in, sit in a natural . After 200m youll come to a fork, and the easiest route at this point is to bear right. Its an old reservoir on the route up Holme Fell, used for the mines below.