There’s nothing quite like the buzz of cold-water swimming.
Bursting with a whole host of health benefits, there’s few things to rival that invigorating feeling you enjoy after taking a plunge.
While the UK is in no shortage of fantastic wild swimming locations to discover, in my opinion you’d be hard-pressed to find any better than in the Lake District National Park.
Picturesque lakes, hidden tarns, plunge pools, cascading falls & much more, around every corner there seems to be a prime spot to take a paddle.
Nevertheless, having spent years exploring these parts, there are certainly a few specific locations which are cream of the crop. I’ve also been sure to throw in a few lesser-known gems for added measure!
Whittling down a list to 9 of the very best wild swimming Lake District spots, jump into any of these and you’re guaranteed a truly refreshing experience.
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇👇
Best Lake District wild swimming
Rydal Water (and Rydal Caves)
Described by William Wordsworth (legendary poet and rambling fanatic) as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”, there was no way Rydal Water couldn’t make this list.
Tranquil shimmering waters surrounded by classic Lake District countryside, this haven has long been a hotspot for walkers and open-water swimmers alike.
One of the shallower lakes in the National Park (the deepest part only being around 15-metre deep), the waters also tend to warm up earlier in the year than most.
Don’t be fooled though, it’ll still be COLD ❄️
Also home to Rydal Falls & Rydal Caves, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore further during your visit.
Rydal Cave in particular is a favourite of mine, though I’m still perplexed by the presence of fish living in this still water cavern…
How the heck did they even get here?!
For the full lowdown, be sure to read through our ‘Rydal Caves & Water Walk Guide’ 👈
Buttermere Lake
Here’s a picture of Buttermere Lake.
Need I say more?
Crystal-clear waters surrounded by some of the National Park’s most iconic fells; it’s easy to see why this place is a celebrated paradise for open-water swimmers.
Feel free to take a relaxing frolic in the sparkling lake, while more serious wild swimmers may choose to tackle the full 3-mile end-to-end trip. With no boats to worry about, you really will struggle to find a more tranquil port of call.
Also home to the idyllic village of Buttermere, what better way to refuel after your swim than with some proper pub grub at the historic Bridge Inn!
Great swimming, tasty food and a refreshing local ale. Perfect!
For all you need to know, click through & head on over to our ‘Buttermere Lake Guide’ 👈
Crummock Water
Likewise, just a short stroll from Buttermere Lake, Crummock Water is another spectacular and criminally underrated swimming spot.
Often overshadowed by it’s more popular neighbour, Crummock Water tends to be much quieter than Buttermere and has long served as a secret wild camping spot for those few in the know.
Epic panoramas & huge open water swimming isolated from the hustle-and-bustle, just be warned that Crummock Water also appears to be a popular nudist swimming spot for these very reasons!
Let’s just say on our last visit we were unexpectedly exposed to a LOT of skin 😅
Top tip – the car park in the heart of Buttermere for Buttermere Lake & Crummock Water is rather small, so we’d definitely recommend getting here early.
Lake Windermere
The most famed lake in the whole National Park, no trip to Lakeland is complete without taking a dip in Windermere.
Coming in at a whopping 10.5 miles in length and 220ft deep, Windermere is officially the largest lake in England and has long been a source of pride for locals due to its sheer size and magnificent vistas.
Also one of the most accessible wild swimming spots, Windermere is never short of parking spaces and is conveniently situated near Windermere village, Bowness and Ambleside – making it a fantastic destination for an outdoorsy day out!
Top tip – For fellow walking enthusiasts, why not check out our recent post on 7 Amazing Walks Around Windermere?
Where can I wild swim in Windermere?
Being such a large body of water, there are a variety of wild swimming locations to check out when visiting Windermere, meaning each visit you can swim somewhere fresh.
For the full breakdown, be sure to check out our ‘4 BEST Wild Swimming Spots On Lake Windermere’ blog post 👈
Derwentwater
Located directly beside one of the Lake District’s most cherished towns in Keswick, Derwentwater is equally seen as a jewel in the crown of the National Park.
Coming in at just under 3 miles end-to-end, Derwentwater is a cracking rambling spot and has a number of accessible shorelines for those willing to brave the cold waters!
Offering exceptionally breathtaking views at dawn and dusk, swimming as the sunset shimmers in the Derwentwater’s reflection is quite the sight to behold.
Due to the popularity of the location however, I’d personally avoid swimming too far from shoreline due to the large number of boats which frequent the waters.
With several car parks located along the eastern side of Derwentwater, we usually like to park on the Lakeside Car Park since it sits conveniently beside Keswick which you’ll likely want to visit after your swim!
Loughrigg Tarn
Nestled just north of Skelwith Bridge lies the small yet scenic Loughrigg Tarn – a lush swimming hole flanked by classic Lake District countryside.
Located near the base of Loughrigg Fell, many ramblers attempting to tackle the formidable peak are completely unaware this picturesque wild swimming spot even exists prior to their outing.
The ideal place to take a refreshing plunge after completing the gruelling hike up-and-down the fell; during your paddle you’ll also be treated to jaw-dropping skyline views of the Langdale Pikes.
Unfortunately, parking can be a bit hit-and-miss round these parts. Your best bet would be the car park off the B5343 near the Little Loughrigg Caravan Park, though spots are limited.
Alternatively, you can opt to take the scenic walk to Loughrigg Tarn from Ambleside which should have ample parking.
Often busy with hill-hikers during the day, for more privacy you’d be best visiting as evening approaches once the majority of folks have already headed home.
Top tip – For hardcore wild swimming fanatics, you may also want to pair a swim at Loughrigg Tarn with the neighbouring Elten Water 🏊
Blea Tarn
Another tarn topping our list.
I don’t say this lightly, but Blea Tarn is perhaps the most underappreciated wild swimming spot in the whole of the Lakes.
Tucked away on the hills between the valleys of Little Langdale and Great Langdale, the glistening waters of Blea Tarn provide a sense of solitude quite like nowhere else.
Due to the site’s remote location, you’ll also likely have the tarn to yourself, though it has admittedly started to attract a new demographic after recently being used as a filming location for Netflix’s medieval fantasy hit ‘The Witcher’!
For those wanting to explore this hidden open-water haven in the flesh, be sure to head right over to our ‘Ultimate Guide To Blea Tarn’ post 👈
A word of warning however, the extremely narrow & winding country roads you must brave to reach Blea’s Tarn car park certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea!
A bit of a white-knuckle ride, the roads are nothing too difficult for confident drivers, but newer or nervous drivers might look to avoid this one!
Coniston Water (via Monk Coniston Car Park)
Conveniently situated beside the quaint village of Coniston, Coniston Water has long remained a popular cold water swimming spot due to its vast open space and glorious lakeshore views.
Stretching roughly 5 miles long, one of the best spots to take a paddle here would be be the northern end of the water beside Monk Coniston Car Park.
Here you’ll find a small stretch of sandy beach, cosy shelter amongst the trees and you’ll also be a safe distance from the boats which frequent the waters. Perfect!
For eager hikers, you may also fancy heading along one of the numerous walking trails accessible from here. We most recently hiked up to Tarn Hows from Monk Coniston which proved to be an absolutely superb ramble.
Interested? Then check out our Ultimate Tarn Hows Guide here 👈
Buttermere Infinity Pool
Last but not least, the Buttermere Infinity Pool is another wild swimming spot well worth your attention.
While not as open or large as other locations on our list, there’s no denying the sheer beauty of this isolated gem.
Incredibly photogenic & providing glorious views down towards Buttermere Lake, there’s good reason as to why this ‘secret’ spot has recently become plastered all over Instagram!
Starting the walk from Gatesgarth Farm on the eastern end of Buttermere Lake, simply park up and take the gentle 2-kilometre hillside trail up to the infinity pool.
Top tip – keep an eye out once arriving, since there are also a number of other stunning plunge pools hiding behind the main one.
However – while unquestionably photogenic – this secret spot is admittedly on the smaller side, meaning it likely won’t satiate your swimming appetite if you’ve come for a proper open water paddle!
That’s why we’d recommend combining a trip to the infinity pool with a ramble around Buttermere Lake.
With both spots easily accessible from Gatesgarth Car Park, this is the best option if you want to make a full day of it and clock in some proper swimming.
Safety when wild swimming in the Lake District
While wild swimming sure is great fun, it can also be hazardous if you don’t quite know what you’re doing. Keeping this in mind, it’s always important to make safety a priority when plunging into any open water location.
Research your location wisely – First and foremost, pick a location you know is safe and suitable for swimming. You’d be surprised at how many spots look safe, but are actually extremely dangerous. A great app to help in your research is Wild Open Water, which is great for informing whether a location is suitable for swumming or not.
Check for any warnings – Likewise, before jumping in the water you plan to swim in, be sure to look around for any warning signs or alerts. These could include things such as strong tidal currents, dangerous waves or even polluted waters.
Check the temperature – Depending on the location & depth of the water – plus the time of year you visit – temperature can vary drastically. Before hopping in, gauge how cold the water is!
It’s also wise to wear a wetsuit for increased thermal regulation. Hypothermia is no joke; if you become cold or shivery, get out of the water and warm up as soon as possible.
Bring the right equipment – In addition to wetsuits, be sure to pack things such as a first aid kit, tow floats and anything else you may need for your excursion.
Swim with a partner: It’s always better to swim with at least one other pal, especially in more remote locations. As with any outdoor adventure, it’s also wise to inform somebody of your plans beforehand.
Know your limits: Never exceed your swimming ability. For instance, this could mean not swimming too far from shore if you aren’t the strongest swimmer and never paddling under the influence of alcohol.
More Lake District resources
Lakeland is bursting with outdoor wonder! Before you leave, be sure to check out the Lake District section of our blog which contains a plethora of walking guides, camping trips & even more hidden gems to discover!
A few personal faves of ours include:
- 19 Stunning Lake District Waterfalls
- 3 BEST Lake District Scrambles For Daring Hikers
- How To Get To Hodge Close Quarry (aka. Skull Cave) 💀
- Ultimate Guide To Visiting The Witcher Filming Locations!
Happy adventuring 🏊 🚶