Discover the best wild swim locations in Northern England, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall.
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.
Discover the best wild swim locations in Northern England, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall.
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.
Hatchmere
A relatively shallow, warm 300m’long lake in the nationally important wildlife area of Delamere Forest. A grassy area next...
read moreEllesmere
An area of nine glacial meres. Colemere is remote, beautiful and quiet with a shore path and small sailing...
read moreWasdale Head
Quartz-bedded, very clear, long lake (5km) with good shelving beaches and some of the most stunning scenery in the...
read moreBoot
A small rocky gorge and pool on the Esk, close to the village of boot with its campsite and...
read moreBoot
A long series of fantastic pools. Tongue Pot is more dramatic with high jumps possible (5m deep) many small...
read moreSkelwith Bridge
Beautiful small tarn, relatively warm, under skyline of Langdale Pikes. Basic but scenic campsite adjoining.
read moreBlawith
A stretch of wooded rocky headlands with secluded sandy coves. Peel Island sits across a 100m strait.
read moreRydal, Ambleside
A triangular plunge pool in the fells, open with large pebble beach and large rock slabs. Views down to...
read moreRydal, Ambleside
A narrow dark cleft between rock walls and Waterfall or Gorge, crowned with rowan. Very deep (4m) and cold...
read moreUlpha
A popular area of grassy riverside with 300m stretch of pool and shallows, deep section under bridge from which...
read moreUlpha
A clear stream in a gorge beneath an old packhorse bridge. Swim upstream from the rocks to the Waterfall...
read moreRosthwaite
Two sets of pools underneath cascades, about 200m apart. 1’2m deep, about 30m long. Fun for plunging and snorkelling....
read moreRosthwaite
A deep pot with 6m cliff for jumping. Interesting rock formations. Deep section for about 50m downstream. Upstream current...
read moreRosthwaite
A high tarn in the shadow of Scafell Pike with island and excellent diving and swimming. Popular for wild...
read moreGarsdale Head
A deep gorge with impressive rock sculptures, shallow stream, small Waterfall or Gorge and midway plunge pool. Dangerous in...
read moreKeld
Two spectacular Waterfall or Gorge deep in a woody gorge. One is 5m high with 80m plunge pool, open...
read moreKeld
A wide Waterfall or Gorge, about 3m high, with pleasant plunge pool and open aspect. Limestone cliffs in valley...
read moreGrassington
A large grassy area of riverside common with two weirs and a Waterfall or Gorge plus footbridge. Popular, sociable...
read moreGrassington
Exciting rocky pools and rapids. Lower pools have interesting snorkelling and a large reach for a longer swim. Also...
read moreBurnsall
A fantastic stretch of grassy riverside incorporating the limestone cliffs and plunge pool of Loup Scar and the shallower,...
read moreBolton Abbey
A popular stretch of river in front of the priory ruins. Upstream of stepping stones and bridge is deeper...
read moreBolton Abbey
A shady, deep stretch of river beneath the notorious Strid gorge (do not swim IN the cataract itself). Wide...
read moreStainforth
A series of river pools and falls set beneath an old packhorse bridge. Grassy banks and good paddling. A...
read moreStainforth
An atmospheric Waterfall or Gorge set in woodland on edge of moor with small pool beneath towering rocks.
read moreIngleton
A busy walk with concrete gangways but many spectacular pools if you don’t mind the crowds. Thornton Force is...
read moreGoathland
A plunge pool (20m) set beneath an impressive Waterfall or Gorge at the head of a woodland walk. Starting...
read moreHumshaugh
Shallow rapids among ruins of collapsed Roman Bridge. Chance to find Roman remains and examine Roman bathing complex. Deeper...
read moreHaltwhistle
2021 update: NATIONAL TRUST have written to say swimming is no longer allowed as this is a ‘very important...
read moreRuswarp
A tall plume and small deep plunge pool (10m high, 2m deep) at the head of a forested gorge....
read moreMiddleton-in-Teesdale
This is the little-known sister of High Force. Still very large but with a deep, calm pool on a...
read moreIngram
A ‘bottomless’ plunge pot, about 5m wide and circular, beneath a tall spout in a pretty glade that is...
read moreHorncliffe
Wide (80m), shallow (1m), fast flowing stretch of Tweed, downstream of bridge. Fun to swim against current and cross...
read moreBlea Tarn, Eskdale
Blea Tarn is a nice place for swimming after a steep walk up from the valley bottom. The water...
read moreStockton Teeside
We are a fledgling Wild Swimming group based in Teeside. Our aim is to enjoy our beautiful countryside,our wonderful...
read moreManley Mere, Manley Lane, Frodsham. WA6 0PE
Hope House Children’s Hospices are organising their first sponsored open water swim to help raise funds for the hospices....
read moreA592, Lake District National Park, Penrith, Cumbria CA11, UK
A short walk along the footpath from Sandwick towards howtown takes you through some beautiful pine woods and some...
read more4 Fitz Steps, Lake District National Park, Little Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9PA, UK
A lovely, surprisingly deep pool on the River Brathay, between Little Langdale Tarn and Slater’s Bridge. A great way...
read moretodmorden
Englands highest beach, popular local spot with a pub at the bottom to reward your efforts.
read moreMere Lane, Pickmere, Cheshire
Despite the “no swimming” sign this is a peaceful and pleasant spot for a picnic and swim. It is...
read moreHardraw Force, Hardraw, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3LZ
swim in the pool at the foot of England`s highest unbroken waterfall. The land is owned by the Green...
read moreThrostle Garth, Eskdale
One of the best river swimming pools in the western Lake District, this large clear pool in the upper...
read moreKing's Walk, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12, UK
Hudeshope Beck, A small stream that runs down the valley, through Middleton in Teesdale before joining the River Tees....
read moreEccleston,Chester
Access to the River is from the car park at Paddock Road Chester. The river is around 3miles from...
read moreB6277, Alston, Cumbria CA9, UK
If driving from south, drive over the stone bridge and park just round the bend on a layby. Walk...
read morela206dy
Lake set in an absolutely stunning setting surrounded by the fell and just 1 km from the road with...
read more54° 18' 53.58
A very picturesque and popular location for swimming (on hot days) adjacent to the road leading to Ulpha between...
read moreHardknott Pass, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK
A plunge pool underneath a high fall hidden behind rocks. Not suitable for jumping. Follow the footpath up the...
read moresedgewick cumbria
A cracking swimming spot that I remember from growing up in the area. The river Kent slows down just...
read moreRiver Tees, Abbey Bridge, Egglestone Abbey, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 UK
The exact location is right under the bridge on the Abbey side. From the A66 turn off at Rokeby...
read moreBorrans Rd, Ambleside LA22 0EP
Swim at the Waterhead end of Lake Windermere. Parking is very close to the water edge so it’s easy...
read moreHall Bank, Haltwhistle NE49 0JG, UK
Excellent and accessible swimming spot in the South Tyne near Featherstone Castle. Sandy little beach with easy access into...
read moreBowness-on-Windermere
Park in the Rayrigg Meadow car park and walk down to the jetty for a nice dip.
read moreRiver Brathay
Nice river swim a short walk from a lovely vegetarian cafe “Chesters by the river”. Follow the walkers path,...
read moreBlea Tarn
Great morning swim when the water is still, views of the Langdale horseshoe. Quick easy access from the road.
read moreBishop Auckland Rugby Club
Park at Rugby club. Plenty of parking along the entrance road. beautiful location for river swimming, great for families,...
read moreWyresdale Park, Snow Hill Lane, Scorton
Why not come and join us on Tuesday mornings 7-8 am, water is still on the chilly side, if...
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