Walk length: 100m each way (via the quickest route)Difficulty: Easy. The walk to Scale Force is largely flat, but there is a climb towards the end. Pass through it and youll see some steps down to a wooden bridge just ahead of you. Stanley Ghyll Waterfall is one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District. The closest car park to the trail head for Scale Force Waterfall is at the Buttermere Court Hotel - postcode CA13 9XA, its a pay and display car park. 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). Spend your summer spent swimming in mountain waterfalls, exploring lost ruins and caverns, and camping in ancient forests. Waterfall walks and wild swims less than an hour from Stoke-on-Trent Alternatively, climb down the large rocks to the bottom of the pool for a lazy relaxing soak. We have you covered. A plunge pool underneath a high fall hidden behind rocks. You need to walk to the left of the lower falls and youll see a rocky slab. Please Note: Wild Swimming is only available to guests who are residents of Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa. Theres a little rock wedged between the cliffs at the top of the falls, which gives it a dramatic and wild feel. Make the Moat House Your Wild Swimming Base 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. A brilliant place to explore. You can consider this article a work in progress as we have plenty more waterfall adventures planned! Read Next Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. If I was randomly dropped at Scale Force and asked where I thought I was, Id say New Zealand (or maybe Iceland). However, going further does require care. The best waterfall and wild swimming waterfall in the Lake District!! The Julian Alps offer top-class swimming, including the lovely (but costly) Lake Bled lido. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Park in the village of Stonethwaite and walk along the river for 15 minutes past the Langstrath Country Inn. From the bridge, you get a great view of the lower falls, but only a peek at the upper falls. 200 2 3 The Peak District may be landlocked with a distinct lack of salty sea air, but there are some fantastic spots for a refreshing dip and paddle with the kids. 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. We couldnt believe it either, and yet even when we visited and the waterfall was in shadow, the water was still undeniably turquoise and absolutely exquisite. Buckstones Jump is an idyllic spot for wild swimming in the Lake District and is a very well-known local spot. Wild Swimming in the Lake District - 10 Best Hidden Spots With stunning photography this book reveals the best crystal mountain lakes, secluded lake-side beaches, and turquoise pools hidden deep in waterfall- Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out Dash Falls. The setting is dramatic and the crystal clear swimming hole at the base is easily one of my favourite places to take a dip in the Lakes. 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. So if you plan to take a dip in multiple lakes please rinse both yourself, your swimwearand any other equipment thoroughly between each swim. All the spots on this list are wild and have no safety measures in place. 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. We should know, we grew up there. 7 Epic Swimming Holes In New York To Visit This Summer - OnlyInYourState Although you cant see a waterfall, this is where Scale Force is located, and the place you want to head towards. This helps towards the costs of running our website. It must be one of the best wild swimming walks in the world. The water here is peaty, clear, and chilly. Its undeniably glorious and the view is one to remember. Head on up the valley for Black Moss pot where the brave dare each other to jump into a deep water-filled chasm. Rydal Water is next to the road and is not as remote as some of the other wild swimming spots in the Lake District. Read Next 15 stunning Lake District walks. Wild Swimming | Luxury Lake District Hotel & Spa - Armathwaite Hall Swimming in a lake at sunset (Image credit: Johner Images). Waterfalls. The Best Places To Stay In The Lake District in 2023 If the weather has been wet I would recommend heading back the way you came. If youre feeling brave you can take a dip in the icy waters beneath Scale Force. Almost all the rocks are wet up in the gorge so you need to tread carefully. All the details on the walk, as well as another waterfall nearby (not on this list) are in this guide. There is a little dam at the outflow of Blea Water . The waterfall flows into a crystal clear pool and swimming here feels very special. The brave can descend down to the pool for a dip in the cool waters. Leaving Wales off our guide to wild swimming locations in the UK was never an option. If you only want to see the lower falls (not the best view) then the walk doesnt involve any scrambling. 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. West Beach, Berneray, Isles of Harris. There's a National Trust car park just a short walk from the top of the falls. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for wading amongst high, picturesque views. 7 must visit tarns in the Lake District. Also, dont try and do too much too soon. The waterfall is easily accessible by trail and road. Lake District Wild Camp Part 1 - Wild Swimming, Waterfalls, Summits & a Nestled under some of the largest mountains in the area, Sprinkling Tarn offers an adventurous wild swim in the Lake District. Now thats not a bad feeling to have. Beckenham Place Park may be London's newest wild swimming spot, but "technically, it's pretty ancient", said Alexandra Sims in Time Out . This is the hardest bit though, so once youve over that, there is nothing worse to come. IN THIS GUIDE // LAKE DISTRICT WILD SWIMMING. The water during the summer months is usually warmer than you would expect. THE 10 BEST Lake District Waterfalls (with Photos) - Tripadvisor There's a 7-day free trial too, so you can access all of Great Britain anytime, anywhere. Many automotive and farm equipment factories were established during the growth of industry between 1901 and the 1930s. The reward for your efforts is staring up at one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the Lake District and probably the whole of the UK! Youll reach it after a couple of hundred metres. Buckstones Jum 3 Stunning Waterfalls To Swim In 12. After 300m youll see a gate into the woods on the left. Lower down from Buckstones Jum, you will find an amazing swim location with a majestic waterfall. There are 4 larger islands on the lake making great targets to head for, as well as numerous smaller islands. Make sure that you are always aware of your surroundings. If youre used to off track hiking and happy to scramble, read this guide for directions. The pool has a beautiful peridot colour water, which was very striking in the late afternoon sunshine. After leaving the lake shore, the walk begins to climb, but very gently at first. Discover the best wild swim locations in the Lake District and Cumbria - river swims, lakes and waterfalls galore. Wild Swimming Walks South Wales : 28 lake, river, waterfall and coastal All Rights Reserved. The trail to the falls follows yet another bracken lined path, but this time it is really overgrown. Head for the left one, the trail is indistinct, but you can see what youre heading for. Take a walk, or a run then launch yourself into this large beautiful lake. The views are gorgeous, not just of the lake itself, but also the surrounding fells. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. 15 mins. Sign up to receive the very best of OS and its group of companies, straight to you by email. The path continues to be flat and leisurely and 850m into the trail youll reach an old stone bridge. Here you can enjoy wilder and shallower waters. Go and visit purely for a wild swim or as a lovely after hike dip. Enjoy the wilds with friends, in an organised swimming group, or with family. The water is shallower than most of the other lakes on our list with crystal clear water. If you dont want to bring your own supplies, head to the newly opened National Trust Sticklebarn restaurant in Great Langdale Valley. One of which is yet another dramatic Lake District infinity pool. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! Beautifully placed between Buttermere and Loweswater, Crummock Water is one of the lovely wild outdoor swimming spots. There is so much to see and experience while swimming in this wild lake. Thank you for subscribing! The only downside to this spectacular spot is that its not the easiest to reach. Its really picturesque, especially if you luck out with nice conditions. Grasmere is situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The upper pool is more for the daredevils among you. There are some uphill sections, but also plenty of flat track. Where can I swim for free in the lake district?Any of the main lakes, tarns etc are all free to swim in. The turquoise water is crystal clear and flows into a series of picture perfect swimming holes, its the stuff dreams are made of. Near the foot of the valley, the Esk River has cut canyons and pools in the rock creating three great pots to wild swim. Although the trail is still flat, its a little rocky underfoot and there are patches which are quite damp, though its still easy enough. However, the infinity pool is the lowest pool, if you venture a little higher up the cliff side then youll find a series of other swimming holes. With grassy knolls and ancient rowan trees, perfect clear water and flat rocks for sunbathing, these are mountain waterfalls to surpass all others. Cold Water Swimming Challenge - thereluctantexplorers.com Although reaching the top of the falls is easy and on a well maintained track, getting to the base does involve a short scramble. Tongue Pot is a deep pool with high walls perfect for leaping into for a more expansive swim. Buttermere is a 30 minute drive from Keswick, 30 minutes from Cockermouth and 1 hour from Ambleside. 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. Its only 100m between the wooden bridge and the base of the upper falls, but its definitely not for everyone. Its a popular location with hikers heading up to the summit of Helvellyn or boat lovers cruising on the Ullswater Steamer. If youre looking for the most beautiful waterfalls in England, youll find them here. The famous poet's favourite Lake District viewpoint is at this very lake, aptly named 'Wordsworth's Seat'. Best wild swimming in Italy | Lakes and rivers to swim in - CN Traveller The Lake District is a popular national park in northern England covering an area of 2,300 square kilometres. The Lake District is an excellent destination for open water swimming. '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. All rights reserved, Best spots for an invigorating wild swim in the Lake District, favourite things to do in the Lake District, Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. This will make you more noticeable and reduce the risk of an accident. There are signposts at the beginning of the walk, but not at the crucial points further along, so we have detailed instructions below. It gets its name from a stone pack horse bridge that traverses the stream which you can swim underneath. Read Next The Gordale Scale Walk, Yorkshire Dales. Its important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come. 8 Have fun and take a picnic. Wild Guide Lake District and Yorkshire Dales Paperback Guide Book Although you can reach the falls via longer tracks, the quickest route is definitely one of the best easy walks in the Lake District. All the details on the walk and what its like to swim there are in this guide. Top secret wild swimming holes in the Lake District Find local news and events in your area, water campaigns that might interest you or join a group or a meeting of like-minded people. Youll have to walk up a bit more slanted rock before crossing the water and walking up some boulders. The waterfall is picturesque and a little down the water is Greenup Gill which is another excellent wild swimming location. Located just outside Simonsbath, the best wild swimming near me, has to be past the Bluebell Wood to the secluded pools. Buttermere and its surrounding area have been voted time and again as some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the Lake District, if not the entire UK. 10. Swim upstream first because you dont want to leave the more tiring work till the end. Its a scenic remote spot and one of our favourite wild swimming locations in the Lake District. FYI, the name of this waterfall is not Chockstone Falls, but we werent able to find out the real name, so christened it after the chockstone that it flows under! This is one of our favourite little lakes, and a great escape on a sunny day. River Barle, Simonsbath, Somerset, England. The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes Theres a shelving beach for easy access plus plenty of grassy banks to while away a few idyllic hours. 2 hours. As the valley is difficult to get to, few people venture to this beautiful destination. Cordee Pub Paddles: Best Short Paddling Trips In Southern England 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. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. Gadding's Dam Reservoirs often make for excellent wild swimming spots. The fact there was no one else here at all during our visit in the August school holidays still has me perplexed! Our favourite views and photo spots in the Lake District, Explore the remote and rugged Lake District at the Langdale Pikes, Walk Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route for a top Lake District Hike, Find our favourite things to do in the Lake District, Conquer knife-edge ridges on the exhilarating walk up Blencathra, Our pick of the finest walks in the Lake District, Try these heart-pumping grade 1 Lake District scrambles, The best places to stay in the Lake District. 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. Read Next The absolute best way up Scafell Pike. Combining stunning photography, engaging stories and history, the book is packed with all the practical information you need, including detailed directions, route maps and . Now you have seen 17 of the very best wild swimming spots in the Lake District we hope that you will make the time to go and enjoy them. After crossing the bridge the track continues along a bracken lined path and youll arrive at a gate 150m later. As previously mentioned, wetsuits, bright swimming caps and tow floats can be very important. Accessing the pool is easy as you can just walk straight in, but just watch for slippery stones underfoot. Even walking during a hot dry summer, it was boggy and it would be much worse in wetter times. Sunbathe, swim, plunge and enjoy your surroundings up at Galleny Force. Mobile eTicket. Whether these are sailing boats, ferries and pleasure craft, or jet skis etc, you are small and hard for them to see. In general, the pools are deep and good for swimming in the wild while you enjoy the water flowing down from above. Check for any regulations before hand such as specific areas or times first though. If you are an experienced swimmer then sink in and enjoy the resounding vista of the lake and its surroundings. What is wild swimming? | Advnture Theres a car park right next to the tarn and a path that runs down to the water. A packed lunch can be purchased from the hotel for 14.95 and will be ready for you if it is ordered at least 24 hours before your activity. Swimming at Scale Force Waterfall If you're feeling brave you can take a dip in the icy waters beneath Scale Force. Rydal Water is a serene and peaceful place for open water swimming in the Lake District. There is limited free parking around the village of Buttermere, but it fills up very quickly on weekends and school holidays. However, reaching the most spectacular part of the falls, the upper falls, does require a scramble - which is probably why even in the busy summer holidays we got the entire thing to ourselves. Park at the Blea Tarn car park between Little and Great Langdale Valleys. You can find out more details on the track in Stanley Ghyll Waterfall guide. 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. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. Normally we would pick out just one waterfall from the track, but honestly thats a very tough job when you see the sensational spots on offer here. 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. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty.