It is easy to access, with numerous parking spots along the side so you can step out of your car and into the lovely welcoming waters. The lake itself is approximately mile in length and mile in width, making it the perfect starting point for novices and for those literature fans among you, as you can gaze up at Wordworths Seat during your swim. Tongue Pot is a deep pool with high walls perfect for leaping into for a more expansive swim. Don't forget your towel! Almost all the rocks are wet up in the gorge so you need to tread carefully. The lakes which do not have power boats or ferries include; Wastwater, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Rydal Water. You can actually find it right here in the Lake District! Carry on by foot up the road, bearing left. This workshop helps you to feel relaxed, safe and happy in cold and wild water . Park in the village of Stonethwaite and walk along the river for 45 minutes past the Langstrath Country Inn. Looking up at the falls and the surrounding mossy cliff walls was just mesmerising. The tarn is located along one of the best hiking paths to Scafell Pike the highest peak in the Lake District. The perfect place for a plunge in natures Jacuzzi. Its a great day out, but beware being drunk and wild swimming isnt a good mix. Ritson's Force is one of those magical places that makes you instantly grateful to be alive! Swimming is a fantastic exercise and when you can do it out in the open with such stunning scenery, it enhances the experience immensely. Kail pot and Pillar pot are 25 minutes from the car park; Tongue Pot is 20 minutes further. With a shimmering chute falling 20m into a deep plunge pool, it's hidden in a mossy and verdant tropical-looking ravine reached by crossing several wooden bridges and some final scrambling along a slightly tricky path. This 4 metre deep pool lies under a narrow gorge which the water cascades down from. Be guided through invigorating breath work and a guided meditation that will relax you and prepare you for your cold water immersion. If youre used to off track hiking and happy to scramble, read this guide for directions. The best viewpoints in the Lake District - 12 easy to access locations. Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. Top 10 wild swimming locations in Italy - the Guardian The Eskdale Valley is known for its pools and waterfalls and Tongue Pot is possibly the best of them all. Find nearby walking routes below. Its a popular location with hikers heading up to the summit of Helvellyn or boat lovers cruising on the Ullswater Steamer. Located in the shadows of Langdale Pikes, Loughrigg Tarn is another natural swimming hole that is too good to resist. Even walking during a hot dry summer, it was boggy and it would be much worse in wetter times. 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. 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. Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots - Jennie Wanders Explore the latest books: Wild Swimming Walks Lake Disitrict or Wild Guide Lakes and Dales. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out 216. by Pete Kelly . It may be small, but Rydal Water is still an amazing place to venture for a wild swim. It makes for incredibly easy and safe access into the water, just right for young kids. Here are our top 10 swimming spots for both family activities and secluded bliss. But its worth the trip and one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District. With the largest waterfall in the Lake District, Scale Force, on one side, Rannerdale on the other and also the starting point for the River Cocker. Wild swimming . You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. If you appreciate our content, here are some ways you can support us. Lake District waterfalls map Lake District waterfalls Aira Force Location: Matterdale, Penrith CA11 0JY Grid Reference: NY 401209 Starting with perhaps the most famous waterfall in all of the Lakes, since the 18 th Century Aira Force has stood tall as one of the national park's tourist hotspots. Adults and children alike will love it. The whole family can enjoy a picnic, swimming and laughter, all in this magical spot. Its cold already. If you only want to see the lower falls (not the best view) then the walk doesnt involve any scrambling. From those which are easy strolls, to a few that are slightly harder to reach. Today, Lubny is a large industrial and cultural centre. But dont let that put you off. 14 Incredible Lake District Waterfalls: wild swimming and hidden gems, Catarata Del Toro: difficulty, trail conditions and how to beat the crowds, Tips for experiencing the magical Golden Circle in winter, Skelwith Force: a great rainy day activity in the Lake District, Crinkle Crags & Bowfell: Two of Wainwright's favourites in one walk, Tarn Hows and Black Fell: an easy walk in the Lake District, Loughrigg Fell: the perfect walk from Ambleside, Lake District, The easiest route up England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, Helm Crag - The perfect sunset walk in the Lake District, Warnscale Bothy: a Lake District hidden treasure, 14 incredible things to do in Coniston including secret spots, 16 amazing things to do in Grasmere including the best of its wild side, Stanley Ghyll Waterfall: one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District, The shortest route to Cathedral Cave - just a 15 minute walk, The Giggle Alley Japanese Garden: Eskdale's hidden autumn wonderland, Hodge Close Quarry: how to find the incredible hidden caverns, The quickest walk to Rydal Cave plus a hidden cave nearby, Stock Ghyll Force: Ambleside's beautiful ravine waterfall, Tongue Pot and the spectacular swimming holes beyond, The Buttermere Infinity Pool and the hidden swimming spots beyond, Ritson's Force: incredible electric blue waterholes in the Lake District, Buckstones Jump & the incredible swimming holes at Rydal Waterfalls, Scale Force: the Lake District's wild and mysterious gorge waterfall, Sour Milk Ghyll and Easedale Tarn: 2 spectacular swimming spots in Grasmere, Whorneyside Force: Langdale's secret waterfall swimming spot, Thirlmere infinity pool: how to get there and beat the crowds, The Old Man of Coniston, one of the best walks in the Lake District, Everything you need to know to hike Catbells, Lake District, Seven Easy Walks in the Lake District, England, The best Lake District walks for stunning views, Best things to do in the Lake District, England, The Kindness of Strangers: 10 travel moments that restored my faith in humanity, What it's like to give it all up to travel in your 30's. Its unclear whether it will reopen, but even if it doesnt, a trip to the upper falls is still very much worthwhile. Climbing higher will see you traversing rougher terrain, but you dont need to go much higher to find the other pools and cascades. Holme Fell lake - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. 2023 - Walk My World. There's a National Trust car park just a short walk from the top of the falls. Swimming in a lake at sunset (Image credit: Johner Images). A wide, picturesque valley wedged between the high mountains; its remoteness adds to its rugged allure. 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. 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. This fantastic little lake is an old reservoir above Coniston and a fabulous place to escape to. If youre looking for the most beautiful waterfalls in England, youll find them here. 17 Best Wild Swimming Spots in the Lake District - Hot Tub Hideaways Jumping from the cliffs into the deep water below can give you a huge adrenalin rush. 1 March 2023. This should take around 20 mins. Companies like Head for the Hills also do beginners and advanced courses in open water swimming. The only hard decision you will have to make, is which one to visit first! Set among the lush green pastures of gentle rolling farmland, Loughrigg is less rugged than some of the wild swimming on our list. 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. At 61m deep it is the deepest tarn in the Lakes and is as deep as most of our larger lakes; all this in a tarn barely 400m across. Tucked away in the stunning landscape, you can find some amazing natural swimming holes to explore and enjoy. All around you are rocks and cliffs that form the walls of the Pot. Wastwater is the deepest lake in the Lake District. 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. Swimming from the boats is allowed, providing you can pull yourself back in! Maybe you're a seasoned open-water swimmer, or maybe you're looking to dip your toe in this thrilling activity during the warmer months. What is wild swimming? | Advnture Top secret wild swimming holes in the Lake District Its nice enough, but its not a patch on what lies beyond. Being smaller in size and relatively shallow, on a lovely summers day the temperature of the water will be perfect. Kailpot Crag 17. The highest and most impressive waterfall in The Lake District is Scale Force, locals have adapted their title for the waterfalls to Forces.It is sandwiched between Crummock Water and Red Pike in a very pretty tree lined gauge. You can read more, including details on a second swimming spot, in this guide. Read Next 15 stunning Lake District walks. There is a very short (one minute or so) descent to the bridge, but theres a bit of loose soil and one eroded patch of track here, so just watch your step. Wild Swimming in the Lake District - 10 Best Hidden Spots Overlooking Lake Ullswater, Aira Force waterfall is one of the most widely known of the waterfalls in the Lake District. 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. Rydal Bower 14. After making your way up to Scafell Pike via the corridor route, return via Esk Hause and make a small detour to Sprinkling Tarn. By Antonia Bentel. In the sunshine, it would rival the prettiest turquoise water weve seen anywhere in the world. There is information on currents, tides and excess water due to heavy rainfall and these are always things to check before you start to swim in the wild. Exposure Kamm/D-Shaped Seatpost Silicone Insert and Band for Boost R 5.00 After crossing the bridge the track continues along a bracken lined path and youll arrive at a gate 150m later. 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. Explore - The Wild Swimming Brothers Hi! Waterfalls of the Lake District, Cumbria - Visit Lake District Rydal Water is a serene and peaceful place for open water swimming in the Lake District. Yet, despite its central location, its often overlooked by the throngs who bypass it on the way from a day exploring the mountains, back to their hotel. There may be a walk involved in getting there, but the enjoyment afterwards will more than make up for it. After Rosthwaite, turn L at crossroads with post box in wall signed Langstrath Country Inn (carry on along lane beyond CA12 5XG) and follow lane to Stonethwaite. Booking your trip via the links on this page (or on our book page) will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The walk itself is pretty straightforward, but accessing the pool requires a scramble. Should I swim with someone?Ideally yes where possible. Its one of our favourite pubs in the Lake District and a great way to end a day of wild swimming. Given that its located in Ambleside, Stock Ghyll Force is one of the better known waterfalls in the Lake District. For the more experienced there are different routes you can try as well as some brilliant guided swim tours that cover the full length of this great lake. Walk length: 0.75 miles (1.2km) circuit - plus 750m each way if walking from the villageDifficulty: Easy. 22 Swim-Friendly Waterfalls Across America and Around the World Be aware that boats do use the lake as well so always swim with care. This isnt too bad, but after you finish the rock hopping you begin the bog traverse. All the details are in our Stock Ghyll Force guide. Available from local outdoors retailers, bookshops and our online OS shop. Best wild swimming in Italy | Lakes and rivers to swim in - CN Traveller You can find out more details in our Ritsons Force guide. Choose from general swimming in the 33m pool, a water workout in the 20m pool, or family fun time in the 10m pool. If you think you need to fly to a far off tropical destination to get your turquoise water fix, think again. Theres a car park right next to the tarn and a path that runs down to the water. The best spot to swim is just south of Countess Beck. All Rights Reserved. Its deep enough to dive in from the old dam wall, and small enough that it warms up nicely in the sunshine. Sourmilk Gyll. Wild swimming at Wastwater means going off the beaten track and immersing yourself in only the sights and sounds of nature. ( in my opinion). Behind the crag are peaceful woods to enjoy and there is a small beach that runs alongside the water. Add to Wishlist. The Best Wild Swimming Waterfall in The Lake District- Revealed Wild swimming at Galleny Force (Fairy Glen) & Black Moss Pot Fairy Glen Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean. 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. If peace, quiet and beauty is what you are looking for then this is the place for you. A beginner's guide to wild swimming - Outdoor Swimmer Magazine 2023 - Walk My World. Thank you for subscribing! You will still have to be aware of smaller craft like canoes and sailing boats, but your overall experience may be improved. Always take precautions like wearing a bright swimming cap, towing a bright buoy or float behind you and by swimming as a group where possible. The woodland is also a great place to try and spot red squirrels, although we sadly didnt get lucky! Grasmere is situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Be assisted with confidence into lake or waterfall and learn how to relax and take it in your stride safely. What a beautiful walk in the Langdale valley, whatever the weather the views are breathtaking. Now thats not a bad feeling to have. Wild Swimming Spain on the App Store - apps.apple.com Its more like an ice bucket challenge! You could easily spend a day here swimming at various spots and enjoying the amazing countryside. Wild Swimming in the Lake District | Fairy Pools & Lakes | Lifehop How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Tarn Swimming in the Lake District - Swim the Lakes That makes it an ideal spot to head to if youre in the Lakes on a wet day, but still want to get outside. 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. There is limited free parking around the village of Buttermere, but it fills up very quickly on weekends and school holidays. There's a 7-day free trial too, so you can access all of Great Britain anytime, anywhere. As well as the main lakes, pools, and waterfalls there are also other stunning places to swim in wild in the Lake District. One-hour driver. Wild Swimming | Luxury Lake District Hotel & Spa - Armathwaite Hall 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! Following the Langstrath Valley in the Borrowdale area of the Lake District, Langstrath Beck curves through steep woodlands and grassy fields before forming a small dramatic gorge pool cut into a rock ledge. St Patricks boatyard rents kayaks and canoes, so you can take to the water for your own mini-adventure. Park alongside the road just before the farm at Seathwaite, then walk for 1 hour and 45 minutes uphill. The water here is peaty, clear, and chilly. 19 Stunning Lake District Waterfalls You Just Have To See Located just outside Simonsbath, the best wild swimming near me, has to be past the Bluebell Wood to the secluded pools. Easy hikes in the Lake District - 7 of the best. The BEST paddling and wild swimming Peak District locations After a few hundred metres, the track gets very rocky and youll basically be rock hopping for the next 250m. 8 Have fun and take a picnic. Just make sure if you do jump, you jump with care. In terms of majesty it has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in England. Nestled under some of the largest mountains in the area, Sprinkling Tarn offers an adventurous wild swim in the Lake District. If you are planning to swim in the colder months such as spring or autumn, or even in the summer months, then a wetsuit is an advisable purchase. The Julian Alps offer top-class swimming, including the lovely (but costly) Lake Bled lido. 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. This lake is better suited to more experienced or confident wild swimmers due to the steep drop offs near the edge of the lake but that shouldnt stop it being a lake to aim for. Swimming in the Lake District : Lake District National Park Also, dont try and do too much too soon. It is reputed that it was the great poets favoured spot for relaxing and taking in the scenery. If the conditions are good on the first leg of the circuit, then to complete it, you need to take the path on the other side of the wooden bridge and begin heading along the the narrow stony track. As the rock was nice and dry, it was easy to get up this bit as I was barefoot and it was grippy, but I wouldnt have felt as confident if it was wet.