The 10 best Wild Swim spots in the Lake District National PArk
In its simplest sense, wild swimming is taking a dip into a natural body of water, be that a lake, river, or the ocean.
The recent craze is known to have huge physical and mental health benefits. Physically it can improve recovery by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and boost your immune system.
From a mental side of things it can help manage anxiety, stress, and depression, improve energy levels, release endorphins, and create a feeling of achievement through having a sense of will power.
Within this blog I have pulled together a list of some of my favourite, and what I would argue to be, 10 of the best wild swim locations in the Lake District National Park.
At a Glance
Thirlmere Infinity Pool
Black Moss Pot
Buckstones Jump
Whorneyside Force
Wastwater
Buttermere
Crummock Water
Angle Tarn, Patterdale
Glencoyne Bay
Blea Tarn
With the Lake District being home to 197 tarns, numerous lakes, alongside countless rivers and streams there are so many more wild swim spots to be found. You’ve just got to do your research and have the endeavour to go seek them out.
Things to consider before going wild swimming.
Choose your spot wisely - Don’t pick locations with fast flowing currents or stagnant/murky water
Acclimatise first – Spend a minute or two with your legs in the water so your body gets used to the temperature. Cold water shock isn’t a myth and it is the cause of many wild swimming deaths.
Identify an easy and safe exit point – As you don’t want to get stuck in the water or injure yourself climbing out.
Don’t jump into murky or unfamiliar water -the water may not be as deep as you think or there could be a hidden dangers beneath the surface including fallen trees and branches, especially in woodland areas.
Pack some warm clothes to change into – If you don’t own a Dry Robe then suggest a lightweight down jacket and a beanie to quickly warm yourself back up.
Invest in a mini foam mat - Usually used for sitting on, they make for a great padded and insulated item to stand on when getting changed. You can pick one up from £4.99 from Decathlon.
Thirlmere Infinity Pool
Distance to waterfall: 1km
Elevation Gain:180m
Difficulty: Moderate
What Three Words location: ///insurance.flamenco.refilled
Parking: Roadside of the A591 ///vision.unhappily.snowboard
Located on the eastern hillside of Lake Thirlmere lies one of the newest and most popular Lake District beauty spots.
Brough to attention by social media, Thirlmere infinity pool is actually a series of deep plunge pools which sit above the waterfalls which cascade down Fisherplace gill.
The crystal clear water and expansive views over Lake Thirlmere and north towards Skiddaw, make this a great place for a picturesque dip.
Where to Park and How to Reach Thirlmere Infinity pool?
Parking is a tricky one, I parked on the large flat grassy sections side of A591.
Please park sensibly and be considerate of other road users, the roadside has plenty of room for a vehicle to pull in and not affect the flow of any traffic.
If you didn’t feel comfortable parking on the roadside, the nearest public car park is Swirls How, from which the waterfall takes 1.7km to reach.
From the road side, head up Fisher Place turning right past house number 2 at the end of the road. Cross the wooden stile before turning left and heading straight up through two fields and over a concrete waterway.
From there the trail weaves its way alongside the riverbank up to a wooden footbridge.
From the footbridge. there are paths on either side of Fisherplace gill which rise steeply up the infinity pool, which one you choose is up to you.
Although you will have to climb over a fence to reach the pool, the left hand path leads to a bigger and flatter area above the pool which makes entry easier.
If you wanted to go up one side and down another, you are able to cross the river upstream from the main infinity pool.
Black Moss Pot And Galleny Force, Langstrath Valley
Hike distance: 3km one way
Elevation gain: 130m
Walk difficulty: Easy/moderate
What Three Words location: ///throat.pavement.snoozing
Parking: Stonethwaite Farm
Black Moss Pot is one of, if not the most popular wild swimming spot in the Lake District.
Located deep in the isolated Langstrath valley, the narrow sided chasm of water is enveloped on both sides by high craggy fells.
The crystal clear turquoise water flows around 30m through through a narrow gorge which is around 1-3m wide and 3-4m high. With a waterfall at the top of the gorge and the water being several meters deep, its the perfect place to jump in and swim through the gorge.
Black Moss pot should take around an hour to reach from the village of Stonethwaite. On route you will slowly meander your way up through an idyllic valley, passing several other cascades.
If you did want an quicker and easier wild swim spot then 500m from the campsite lies the magical Galleny Force.
The waterfall flows down Stonethwaite back and is separated by two pools. The lower pool is a wide and deep section of crystal clear water which easily accessible from the flat river bank.
The upper pool is backed by higher banks and is deep enough to jump into, as always use your common sense and make sure you acclimatise to water before jumping in.
Buckstones Jump
Distance to waterfall: 2km one way
Elevation Gain: 190m
Difficulty to reach: Easy to Moderate
What Three Words location: ///truckload.outline.chilling
Parking: Rydal Hall or Pelter Bridge Car Park
Buckstones jump is a unique wild swim spot situated in the valley beneath the Fairfield horseshoe.
The area is a sequences of small waterfalls and plunge pool, the highest and largest of which is triangular in shape with a sloping 2m cascade at the head of the pool.
The main pool also has a large pebbled shoreline which makes for safe entry albeit slightly unstable.
I preferred dipping in one of the smaller crystal clear plunge pools located further downstream as the grass banks made for a much more pleasant entry and exit.
On the way up to Buckstones jump you will also pass Rydal Bower. Situated within the forest the water cascades down a narrow gorge into a 4m deep plunge pool.
Because this spot is not as well known as Buckstones jump it coulde be a good option if you wanted to have a bit of peace and quiet.
Whorneyside Force, Langdale
Distance to waterfall: 3km one way
Elevation gain: 130m
Difficulty to reach: Easy-Moderate
What three words location: clues.derailed.causes
Parking: Old Dungeon Ghyll
The under-appreciated and under-visited Whorneyside Force is one of the hidden gems of the Lake District.
Its secluded location, beautiful surroundings, and impressive scale makes it my favourite of all the waterfalls I have visited in the National park.
The 40ft Waterfall, which plunges into a deep green, bowl-shaped pool is tucked away at the head of the Langdale valley beneath impressive peaks of Crinkle Crags.
The deep plunge pool is perfect for going for a dip in, with safe easy access to and from the path.
Alternatively you can scramble further upstream where you will find a whole series of crystal clear plunge pool to have your own private dip in.
Ample parking is available at the National Trust Car Park at Old Dungeon Ghyll (£7.50 all day), if this car park is full then there is a larger car park at New Dungeon Ghyll located 500m further down the valley.
The 3km one way hike to the waterfall involves 200m of elevation gain and should take around 45 minutes to reach.
Check out my vlog below for an overview of the walk.
Wastwater
Distance to lake: <25m
Walk Difficulty: Very easy
What Three Words location: ///compliant.vitals.sizzled
Parking: Countess Beck
The deepest lake in the Lake District National park and possibly the most dramatic.
The 3 mile long lake is 250ft deep and is enveloped on three side by a amphitheatre of towering peaks.
The scale and the surroundings are enough to take your breath away, let alone the temperature of the water. (its notoriously cold due to its depth)
The best place to wild swim is from the rocky beach situated by Countess Beck on the northern shoreline. The beach is located next to the turn off and is marked by a large rocky outlet which protrudes into the lake.
Theres plenty of free parking in gravel laybys on the roadside (See the image below), from which its less than 25m walk to the waters edge.
This beaches not only allows for easy access in and out of Wastwater, but it also provides one of the best views of the towering trifecta of Great gable, Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike which domintae the head of the valley.
Buttermere
Distance to lake: 700 - 1km
Walk Difficulty: Very easy
What Three Words location: ///skim.fortunes.dumplings
Parking: Buttermere Court Hotel or National Trust Buttermere
Buttermere valley and lake is consistently voted for as one of the most beautiful landscapes in both the Lake District and the UK.
The lake shoreline is lined with forests enveloped on three sides by craggy fells. On a calm day you will be treated to glorious reflections of the lofty craggy fells which encircle the lake on three sides.
Its a place I recommend you visit even if you dont want to go for a wild swim.
There are tons of places to go for a dip around Buttermere, however the easiest and most practical place to go for a dip would be on its northern shoreline.
This beach, which can be reached by taking a 700m wheelchair friendly path from the village, looks directly down the lake towards Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks.
Not only is the view sensational, but the beach slopes gently down into the water making entry both safe and easy.
Paid parking is available next to the Buttermere Court Hotel in the village. Alternatively if you are a National Trust member you can park for free in the National Trust car park next to the quarry.
Parking is relatively limited at both locations so if you are planning to visit in the summer or during a weekened, get here early to secure a space.
Crummock Water
Distance to Lake: 750m
Walk Difficulty: very easy
What Three Words location: ///districts.diamond.path
Parking: National Trust Buttermere
Although it's neighbour Buttermere often grabs all the attention and plaudits, the shores of Crummock Water are arguably just as beautiful.
The two and a half mile lake is separated from Butteremere by a 1km strip of farmland.
Its stunning southern shoreline, which offers a great view looking north over the lake alongside providing safe and easy access into the water, make this a perfect wildswimming spot for both beginners and those who want to actually do some swimming.
There numerous parking spots on the roadside of the b5289, from which you can hop out of car and make the short walk down on its beautiful beaches.
Alternatively you can park in the National Trust car park next to Buttermere quarry and make the short 750m walk through the woodland down to the shoreline.
Parking is realtively limited at both locations so if you are planning to visit in the summer or during a weekened, get here early to secure a space.
If you are visiting Crummock water I would recommend taking the time to visit Scale Force waterfall and/or hiking up to Rannerdale Knotts or going for a walk around Buttermere.
Angle Tarn, Patterdale
Distance to Tarn: 4km one way
Elevation gain: 360m
Walk Difficulty: Moderate
What Three Words Location: signified.dispensed.nets
Parking: White Lion Inn, Patterdale
Described by Alfred Wainwright as 'the best of Lakeland tarns', Angle Tarn is an enchanting glacial lake located high above the village of Patterdale.
Situated at an altitude of 500m and containing two rocky island, The tarn is enveloped by the Lake Districts majestical mountainous terrain.
Its sheltered location and picturesque view makes this a delightful place for a wild swim, especially when you factor in the number of easy entry and exit points
I wildcamped on the lakes shoreline in the Autumn of 2020 and was able to capture the Milky Way above its shores, before taking a sunrise dip in the morning.
Glencoyne Bay, Ullswater
Distance to lake: 25m
Difficulty: Very easy
What Three Words location: ///crystal.forehand.downhill
Parking: Glencoyne Bay car park
Situated on the the western corner of Ullswater’s shoreline lies the gorgeous Glencoyne Bay.
The rocky beach offers a terrific view looking eastwards towards Pooley Bridge and South towards Patterdale.
Alongside being a great low level view point, the bay has a pebbled shoreline which provides safe and easy access into the the water.
Parking is located in the the National trust Car park on the the other side of the A592. From here you simply have to cross the road and you will be on the beach.
Also situated on Ullswater’s western shoreline next to the A592 is the popular spot of Kailpot Crag.
This rocky cliff face is set above deep water, making it the ideal choice for those who want to add a bit more adrenaline to their wild swim.
The car park is also the starting point for the hike up To Glenridding Dodd. This moderately challenging 5.5km hike involves 360m of elevation gain and offers sensational views over Ullswater.
Ullswater from above Glenridding Dodd, Glencoyne bay is located at the bottom left of the lake
Blea Tarn, Langdale
Distance to Tarn: 250m
Walk Difficulty: Very easy
What Three Words location: ///moderated.remainder.sends
Parking: Blea Tarn National Trust car park
Situated in a hanging valley between Little and Greater Langdale, Blea Tarn is a small but tranquil body of water enveloped by high craggy fells.
Alongside being one of the most accessible tarns in Lakeland, its also one of the most beautiful.
The mountain lake is extremely popular with landscape photographers due to the mirror-like reflections it produces of the Langdale Pikes.
I went for dip here on a beautiful calm summer morning and it was absolutely glorious.
As its southern shoreline is quite muddy I would recommend heading around to its a western shoreline to go for a dip. You wont also upset any photographer who might be trying to capture a reflection of the Langdale pikes.
A National trust car park is situated opposite the tarn and is £3 for 2 hours or £5 for all day. From the car park you simply cross the road and descend the wheelchair friendly path for 250m until you reach the shoreline.
So there we have it, my 10 favourite Wild Swim Spots in the Lake District.
Like I have already mentioned, the National Park has 197 tarns and numerous other bodies of water, so there are a whole host of other places to go wild swimming in the Lake District, you just have to have the endeavour to seek them out.
If i had to pick a favourite it would be a toss up between Black Moss Pot and Crummock Water.
Did you find the blog useful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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You can find more Lake District inspiration in the following blogs;
The best viewpoints in the Lake District - 12 easy to access locations
The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes
35 of the best hikes in the Lake district - From beginner to advanced
For more Welsh travel inspiration check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite Welsh regions below.