lake district wild swimming waterfall

Park at the car park nearest to the cattle grid (marked CG on an OS Map), Galleny Force - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Kail pot and Pillar pot are 25 minutes from the car park; Tongue Pot is 20 minutes further. This Summer, we swam outdoors more than we've ever done before, and it just got better, and better! Always research the lake or river that you are looking at wild swimming in. These are ideal places for enjoying a peaceful wild swim. As one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, Rydal Water is a peaceful and serene place to go for a wild swim. In general, the pools are deep and good for swimming in the wild while you enjoy the water flowing down from above. Open water swimming is one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District. However, going further does require care. A crisp air drifts from the nearby mountains, covering us in a reluctance to dive in the water. Know your own limits. 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. Be inspired to do more and go further by equipping yourself with the best tools for the job. 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! Best wild swimming in the Lake District for exploring this most beautiful and remote valley. One of which is yet another dramatic Lake District infinity pool. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out 216. by Pete Kelly. Due to the depth of the lake it may be colder than others on our list so make sure that you wild swim in the correct gear. But if youre ready to channel your inner Wim Hof, then you probably wont find a more dramatic swimming spot. It takes just a few minutes, but would be slippery after rain, so it does require care. There has been a boom in this activity in recent years, with many taking to the wild waters of the Lake District to relax, refresh, and challenge themselves. Some of the bog wasnt too bad on our visit, but some was pretty wet and you wouldnt be able to keep your boots dry unless youre very lucky. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. The trail to the falls follows yet another bracken lined path, but this time it is really overgrown. Read Next Where to stay in the Lake District. Save The waterfall is picturesque and a little down the water is Greenup Gill which is another excellent wild swimming location. Buckstones Jump is an idyllic spot for wild swimming in the Lake District and is a very well-known local spot. This is a lake and a wild swim that will take your breath away with the pure scale and beauty of your surroundings. How Many Lake District Lakes and Mountains. High up in the Lake District, Burnmoor Tarn will leave you speechless. 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. Swimming in the wild in groups is good for safety and moral and it is very important to let someone know of your plans. Park by the side of the road at Wastwater. Wild Swimming simply means swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. In our opinion, this is one of the Lake District's better waterfalls (although not as good as High Force in the Durham. The magical sound and sight of the water cascading down delights us all and it would be rude not to share with you some of the most stunning swims that have embraced the magnificence of a waterfall or two. If you dont want to walk up the steps beside the waterfall, its almost entirely flat. By Pete Kelly. There's a 7-day free trial too, so you can access all of Great Britain anytime, anywhere. For longer swims in summer or any swims in winter wear a wetsuit and make sure you have warm clothes to change back into when you are finished. There is a steepish climb to get there, but it doesnt last too long and its more than worth it. And you can boast that you've swum in England's deepest lake! From here you retrace your steps for 1.4 miles (2.2km) along the flat path to the car park. Explore the latest books: Wild Swimming Walks Lake Disitrict or Wild Guide Lakes and Dales. To complete our list is this stunning location. 1. Rydal Water is a serene and peaceful place for open water swimming in the Lake District. Skelwith Force might not be the biggest waterfall in the Lake District, but its both beautiful and powerful. The only difficult part of the track is negotiating the bog. After 300m youll see a gate into the woods on the left. It may be small, but Rydal Water is still an amazing place to venture for a wild swim. If you are looking for freedom, stunning scenery, and the opportunity to explore the very best in wild swimming spots, then the only place to visit is 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. Swimming is a fantastic exercise and when you can do it out in the open with such stunning scenery, it enhances the experience immensely. 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. 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. Surrounded by some of the most breath-taking walks and nature trails, the view from the water is just as good, if not better. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. When the sun is shining there is no better place on earth to be. Gadding's Dam Reservoirs often make for excellent wild swimming spots. However, it is fairly small and gets full quickly especially at weekends and school holidays. Waterfall Swim Adventure in the Lake District | Wild Swimming | Cold Water 5,428 views Mar 7, 2021 Taking the plunge! The best place for river scrambling and an aquatic mini adventure. We love the small canyon falls which only has a tiny plunge pool, but is incredibly atmospheric. Walk length: 2.6 miles (4.3km) returnDifficulty: Easy. All the details are in our Stock Ghyll Force guide. Thanks for your support! Theres nothing like staring up at a waterfall from inside the crystal clear water, and if thats your thing too, then youll find the best swimming spots in England in this post. There is so much to see and experience while swimming in this wild lake. The Lake District is one of the most. 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. Crystal clear water, cant beat a summer swim to cool off and in the h. On each side sheer rock walls rise up, making the place famous for jumps. Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. We opted for sunset, which was a captivating time to be up there. To help decide where to base yourself, read our article on the best places to stay in the Lake District. As the lowest of three levels of the well-known McCloud River Falls, this is said to be the most popular swimming waterfall in the region and allows for 12-foot jumps into a large pool at the base. Stanley Gill Force - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. 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. Coordinates: 54.4428 N, 3.2920 W 2. Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. The Lake District is a popular national park in northern England covering an area of 2,300 square kilometres. Overlooking Lake Ullswater, Aira Force waterfall is one of the most widely known of the waterfalls in the Lake District. Park at the White Moss Cas Park on the A591, then walk for 20 minutes anti-clockwise around the lake. Discover the elegant splendour of Stanley Gill Force, one of Lakelands most graceful falls, once revered by Victorian traveller but now well off the beaten track. With a shimmering chute falling 20m into a deep plunge pool, its hidden in a mossy and verdant tropical-looking ravine reached by crossing several wooden bridges and some final scrambling along a slightly tricky path. With swims and areas to suit the newest wild swimmer in open water, through to the hardened veteran, we have looked at the 17 best swimming spots in the Lake District to visit to save you the hard work. You will still have to be aware of smaller craft like canoes and sailing boats, but your overall experience may be improved. River Barle, Simonsbath, Somerset, England. The Lake District is a waterfall lovers dream. The best spot to swim is just south of Countess Beck. This should take around 20 mins. Its only 100m between the wooden bridge and the base of the upper falls, but its definitely not for everyone. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. Some of the spots on our list are not signposted, so carry directions with you and check our individual guides for details on track conditions. It gets its name from a stone pack horse bridge that traverses the stream which you can swim underneath. The Pools Swimming and Health Centre James Street, Carlisle, CA2 5AH Not one, not two, but three swimming pools are located within The Pools Swimming and Health Centre. 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. The next part of the circuit has some much boggier ground. The Lake District is an excellent destination for open water swimming. 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. 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. Grasmere is situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Added to that, the walk itself is very pretty, with some great fell views. The walk itself is pretty straightforward, but accessing the pool requires a scramble. Although lakes and rivers can look calm and beautiful on the surface there can be underlying dangers. Keep climbing on the upward path (dont bear R along the wall path) and you reach the lake after 300m more. 7 must visit tarns in the Lake District. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for young kids and families. After a while, the bite of the initial cold dissipates and all that remains is themagic of wild swimming in the Lake District on such a beautiful morning. Two perfect rocky pools with an incredible colour, surrounded by a breathtaking canyon full of waterfalls, wildlife and flowers. The long narrow pool is just wide enough to swim up and down for about 50 meters. In terms of majesty it has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in England. 2. 3 Do not swim in rivers with strong currents, there is a risk of being swept downstream. 2023 - Walk My World. Located off Ullswater, this deep water underneath an intimidating cliff can be enjoyed by jumpers and wild swimmers alike. While on a cold day the setting might look a little forbidding, find a warm sunny afternoon and youre in for a treat. Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. Whether these are sailing boats, ferries and pleasure craft, or jet skis etc, you are small and hard for them to see. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for putting some laps under your belt in a scenic lake. The only hard decision you will have to make, is which one to visit first! Tell them where you are going to swim and the time you are going to start. Great for jumps and snorkelling. Rydal Water is next to the road and is not as remote as some of the other wild swimming spots in the Lake District. Make the Moat House Your Wild Swimming Base Park at the car park at the top of the Foulstep Road just above Skelwith Bridge, then walk for 5 minutes down to the tarn. Stanley Ghyll Waterfall is one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District. The waterfall can be accessed via an easy walking trail, or you can make a circuit, which has a small amount of climbing and some muddy patches. There are two separate pools, one higher than the other. 1 Enter the water slowly. 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. Swimming in pairs or groups is good for morale and safety. The atmosphere is other worldly. All nestled in a steep sided valley, cleft from rugged heights. Tongue Pot is a deep pool with high walls perfect for leaping into for a more expansive swim. 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). # # 2 3 2 # # # # # 0909897810 . Youll reach it after a couple of hundred metres. If the weather has been wet I would recommend heading back the way you came. The waterfall is easily accessible by trail and road. 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. Kailpot Crag - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Hi! Chatsworth House, Bakewell, DE45 1PP. Not suitable for jumping. Its important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come. Jumping from the cliffs into the deep water below can give you a huge adrenalin rush. As the valley is difficult to get to, few people venture to this beautiful destination. If I was randomly dropped at Scale Force and asked where I thought I was, Id say New Zealand (or maybe Iceland). Best wild swimming in the Lake District near a great local pub. Its gorgeous at any time of year, but if youre visiting in autumn, youll be treated to some wonderful fall colours. 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. 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. Go and visit purely for a wild swim or as a lovely after hike dip. [3] Add to Wishlist. But, its much more fun to jump off the perfectly formed ledge about 5 metres above the water. 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. The turquoise water is crystal clear and flows into a series of picture perfect swimming holes, its the stuff dreams are made of. 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. Surrounded by hilly woodlands crisscrossed with jogging tracks, Rydal Water is the perfect place to get active in nature. The water here is peaty, clear, and chilly. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District; Wild Swimming Walks Lake District - 28 lake, river and waterfall days out. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, biggest and most famous lake in the National Park. Youll descend 350m of boggy grassland, albeit with wonderful views to soften the blow! 7 Avoid areas of blue-green algae, wading in muddy areas or swimming with an open cut. Thanks for your support. This stream has beautiful water to swim in wild through a breath-taking gorge. 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. But, the natural and tranquil setting is full of the typically beautiful Lake District scenes. There are several small footholds, but even then, I had to take my boots off to feel comfortable going up. 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. This is not as well known as some of our other pools and waterfalls which makes it such a special and tranquil place to be, deep in the middle of the forest. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. Walk length: 0.75 miles (1.2km) circuit - plus 750m each way if walking from the villageDifficulty: Easy. Although the trail is still flat, its a little rocky underfoot and there are patches which are quite damp, though its still easy enough. Our maps are built on 220 years of experience - we keep walkers, runners, cyclists and more safe in the great outdoors all year round. 6 If you are swimming on a river or lake with lots of boats, wear a colourful hat or take a visibility float. Thank you for subscribing! But dont let that put you off. There are signposts at the beginning of the walk, but not at the crucial points further along, so we have detailed instructions below. Swimming there: At the head of a wild glen a tall, slender waterfall falls into a high basin, flows through a circular hole and drops into a plunge pool . Swimming in a lake at sunset (Image credit: Johner Images). Located in the peaceful western side of The Lake District, Cumbria, the Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall plummets 60 feet into a secluded gorge. A brilliant place to explore. Read Next Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. Walk length: Up to 4.3 miles (6.9km) return, but can be shorter if you visit less fallsDifficulty: Easy. Wild Things - Wild Swimming Walks - Lake DistrictThe best-selling Wild Swimming Walks series visits the delights of The Lake District with 28 lake, river and waterfall days out.Combining stunning photography, engaging stories and natural history, with all Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. I say brave because the water is ice cold even in summer. Don't forget to check out Swim England's advice for open-water swimming before you go. Best for Waterfalls: Cascata Plera, Tolmezzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia A waterfall drops into a true blue pool over the this funnel of rock. Beautifully placed between Buttermere and Loweswater, Crummock Water is one of the lovely wild outdoor swimming spots. Spend your summer spent swimming in mountain waterfalls, exploring lost ruins and caverns, and camping in ancient forests. After a few minutes youll pass through a kissing gate, which is signposted for Scale Force. Be guided through invigorating breath work and a guided meditation that will relax you and prepare you for your cold water immersion. '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. Ease yourself into it and build up your wild swim distances gradually. 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. Best wild swimming in the Lake District to soak your limbs at the end of a day. All the details on the walk, as well as another waterfall nearby (not on this list) are in this guide. 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.