Backney Common
Ross-on-Wye
Ancient but little known common in tight loop of Wye providing large shingle and sandy beach shelving to large...
read moreBadgworthy Pool
Malmsmead, 2km
Charming but small plunge pool underneath shallow Waterfall or Gorge and big tree in popular Doone Valley woodland walk....
read moreBarcombe Mills, Ouse
Lewes
Fantastic 5km stretch of swimming on river Ouse. No current but clean, deep water. Boat hire. Steep banks.
read moreBirks Bridge, Duddon
Ulpha
A clear stream in a gorge beneath an old packhorse bridge. Swim upstream from the rocks to the Waterfall...
read moreBlackmoss Pot
Rosthwaite
A deep pot with 6m cliff for jumping. Interesting rock formations. Deep section for about 50m downstream. Upstream current...
read moreBlue Lagoon, Moel-y-Faen
Llangollen
A very deep, completely clear azure blue lake at the bottom of a spectacular quarry crater (Moel-y-Faen). Steep scramble...
read moreBlue Pool, Golwern Quarry
Fairbourne
A very deep, clear green’blue pool (50m x 30m) in a mysterious cavern entered via a short dark tunnel....
read moreBodmin Parkway
Bodmin, 5km
Still in the Lanhydrock Estate, this swim is off the original driveway to the main house from behind the...
read moreBolton Abbey
Bolton Abbey
A popular stretch of river in front of the priory ruins. Upstream of stepping stones and bridge is deeper...
read moreBroomlee Lough
Haltwhistle
2021 update: NATIONAL TRUST have written to say swimming is no longer allowed as this is a ‘very important...
read moreBuckstones Jum
Rydal, Ambleside
A triangular plunge pool in the fells, open with large pebble beach and large rock slabs. Views down to...
read moreCambus o’ May
Ballater
A gently shelving section of river beach, deepening to 4m, with large flat rocks on the nearside. Elegant white...
read moreCatrigg and Malham
Stainforth
An atmospheric Waterfall or Gorge set in woodland on edge of moor with small pool beneath towering rocks.
read moreChagford Lido, Teign
Whiddon Down A30, 5km
River-fed swimming pool with cafホ set in fields on outskirts of tiny Chagford. Largest outdoor pool in Devon. Upstream...
read moreCheese Wharf
Lechlade
Cheese Wharf is a roadside glade, deep pool in river bend, rope swing, possible to dive in from bank.
read moreChesters, North Tyne
Humshaugh
Shallow rapids among ruins of collapsed Roman Bridge. Chance to find Roman remains and examine Roman bathing complex. Deeper...
read moreClifton Hampden, Thames
Didcot
A pretty bridge and pub featured in Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat. Sandy bays shelving to...
read moreColber Bridge
Sturminster Newton
An open stretch of the Stour with grassy fields by elegant white wrought-iron Colber Bridge. A little weedy and...
read moreColemere and Ellesmere
Ellesmere
An area of nine glacial meres. Colemere is remote, beautiful and quiet with a shore path and small sailing...
read moreColliford Lake and Dozmary
Bolventor, 4km
A huge moorland lake, the highest and largest in Cornwall. Open access on the west side with chalky, shelving...
read moreCornish Tipi Holidays
Port Isaac, 6km
A luscious, chalk-green, spring-fed quarry lake on private land, part of Cornish Tipi Holidays. Wooded cliffs and banks. Very...
read moreCow Castle, Barle
Simonsbath, 3km
Deepish, smallish pool (10m x 20m x 1.5m deep) in the babbling river Barle in wild scenery beneath the...
read moreCrickhowell, Usk
Crickhowell
A large pool, up to 2m deep, beneath the arched medieval bridge of Crickhowell. Rather open and visible, but...
read moreCuckmere Meanders
Seaford
Wide, shallow, moderately warm oxbow lakes cut off from the main Cuckmere stream. Grass banks and chalky beds. Non...
read moreCullever Steps
Okehampton, 7km
Small plunge pool in narrow rocky valley below Scarey Tor. Some grass for picnics and large rocks for sunbathing....
read moreCwm Pennant
Golan
A clear blue tarn in a hidden cleft, at the head of one of most remote and beautiful valleys...
read moreDedham Vale
Dedham
A beautiful open historic vale, site of Flatford Mill, where people row on boats and occasionally swim. Fen Bridge...
read moreDog Falls
Cannich
Beautiful stretch of river among woods of Scots pine. Good plunge pools above falls. Further down there’s a deep...
read moreDovedale and Lathkill
Thorpe
A stunning deep limestone gorge with caves, rock spires and shallow pools. Popular stepping stones good for paddling at...
read moreDulsie Bridge
Dulsie
Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below.
read moreEynsford, Darent
Eynsford
Clear, clean, shallow ford and stream beds at Eynsford (0.5m) though beware of cars. Upstream a pretty stretch of...
read moreEyton, Lugg and Arrow
Leominster
Teme runs through sunny open fields, often shallow but with deep pools above several weirs.
read moreFaerie Pools, Bla Bheinn
Torrin
Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. Stunning and wild backdrop. Beautiful...
read moreFaerie Pools, Glen Brittle
Bualintur
Deep pools and Waterfall or Gorge, tinged with pink and blue hues, set under the peaks of the Black...
read moreFairy Glen
Betws-y-Coed
A picturesque, narrow gorge with access for ᆪ1. Some large rocks to sit on and a deep section down...
read moreFalling Foss
Ruswarp
A tall plume and small deep plunge pool (10m high, 2m deep) at the head of a forested gorge....
read moreFarleigh Hungerford, Frome
Trowbridge
One of the country’s last river-swimming clubs occupies a pleasant, deep but narrow stretch of the Frome above a...
read moreFeshiebridge
Feshiebridge
Fabulous clear water flows down rapids into a large (100m) river pool (1’2m deep) with white shingle beach opposite....
read moreFrensham Great Pond
Farnham
Huge sandy lake with small buoyed-off swimming area shelving to 1.5m deep and 50m wide. Forest and open heathland....
read moreGalleny Force
Rosthwaite
Two sets of pools underneath cascades, about 200m apart. 1’2m deep, about 30m long. Fun for plunging and snorkelling....
read moreGhaistrill’s Strid
Grassington
Exciting rocky pools and rapids. Lower pools have interesting snorkelling and a large reach for a longer swim. Also...
read moreGill Force, Eskdale
Boot
A small rocky gorge and pool on the Esk, close to the village of boot with its campsite and...
read moreGolitha Falls
Liskeard, 8km
Beautiful stream of young river Fowey runs through ancient oak woodland. First 700m wide path provides access to shallows...
read moreGrantchester Meadows
Cambridge
A range of swimming opportunities along 2km of the meadows ending at the Orchard Tea Garden. Deep banks make...
read moreGrassington Weir
Grassington
A large grassy area of riverside common with two weirs and a Waterfall or Gorge plus footbridge. Popular, sociable...
read moreGreat Torrington
Great Torrington
The Torridge at Torrington Common is fast flowing and pebbly but mainly shallow (1m) with some deeper holes. Woody,...
read moreHampstead Ponds
Hampstead
Swimming ponds in middle of wild, hilly heath. Woody, sheltered aspect, open on one side. Changing areas and lifeguards....
read moreHatchmere
Hatchmere
A relatively shallow, warm 300m’long lake in the nationally important wildlife area of Delamere Forest. A grassy area next...
read moreHell Gill
Garsdale Head
A deep gorge with impressive rock sculptures, shallow stream, small Waterfall or Gorge and midway plunge pool. Dangerous in...
read moreHigher Glen Etive
Glencoe
A dramatic glen with perfect river pools running very close to road. Good pub nearby in the grandeur of...
read moreHolne Pool
Holne, 0.5km
Small Waterfall or Gorge with sunbathing rock and large pool in secluded Holne Woods, close to Holne and its...
read moreHorseshoe Falls
Pontneddfechan
A fantastic set of deep forest plunge pools beneath a horseshoe-shaped Waterfall or Gorge.
read moreHurley Island, Thames
Marlow
An historic village with river parkland, wooded river islands and a 1000-year-old pub. Several places to swim. Can be...
read moreIngleton Waterfall or Gorge
Ingleton
A busy walk with concrete gangways but many spectacular pools if you don’t mind the crowds. Thornton Force is...
read moreKisdon Force
Keld
Two spectacular Waterfall or Gorge deep in a woody gorge. One is 5m high with 80m plunge pool, open...
read moreLamas, River Bure
Buxton
A quiet, rural idyllic stretch of the Bure river, flowing past gardens, fields and a church. Deep and clear...
read moreLechlade, Thames
Lechlade
A popular stretch of Thames upstream from town with good access and a junction pool for swimming. Silty shallows...
read moreLeintwardine, Teme
Ludlow
A stretch of open common with pub, bridge, church and rope swings. Deepish junction pool. Little beaches and fun...
read moreLinhope Spout, Breamish
Ingram
A ‘bottomless’ plunge pot, about 5m wide and circular, beneath a tall spout in a pretty glade that is...
read moreLinn of Dee
Braemar
A dramatic gorge cutting down under an elegant Victorian bridge to deep pools and river beaches in open woodland.
read moreLittle Canyon
Pontneddfechan
An exciting and relatively safe piece of gorge swimming. A pool flows slowly through a deep, narrow channel, 5m...
read moreLlyn Cau, Cadair Idris
Corris Uchaf
A huge, dramatic glacial cwm in the crater of Cadair Idris set beneath 400m high mountain walls. It’s a...
read moreLlyn Dinas
Beddgelert
A 1km-long valley lake at the foot of Snowdon with stunning craggy backdrop. Accessible directly from the main road.
read moreLlyn Du’r Arddu
Llanberis
A deep blue lake set under a 100m steep rock wall, famous in climbing and traditional folklore. Beach on...
read moreLlyn Eiddew Bach
Harlech
A tarn in the remote northern Rhinogs, with cliffs for jumping and fabulous views of the sea. Good hotel...
read moreLlyn y Fan Fach
Twynllanan
A high lake in the shadow of the Black Mountain, legendary home of a lake nymph. Deep (18m) and...
read moreLoch an Eilein
Aviemore
A small, romantic loch at the foot of the Cairngorms, with a tiny ruined castle on an island set...
read moreLoch Beinn a Mheadhoin
Cannich
Stunning islanded lake, rich in original Caledonian pine. Many places to swim from shore and potential to swim out...
read moreLoch Lomond and Katrine
Inversnaid
Remote stretch of northern Loch Lomond on West Highland Way. Steep wooded rocky loch sides lead down to Rob...
read moreLoch Ness
Drumnadrochit
Britain’s longest lake and home to Nessie. Secluded place to access shoreline opposite dramatic Urquhart Castle, down through fields....
read moreLong Pool, Watersmeet
Lynmouth, 3km
Watersmeet is a famous National Trust area of wooded river walks. There is a Waterfall or Gorge with small...
read moreLoughrigg Tarn
Skelwith Bridge
Beautiful small tarn, relatively warm, under skyline of Langdale Pikes. Basic but scenic campsite adjoining.
read moreLoup Scar
Burnsall
A fantastic stretch of grassy riverside incorporating the limestone cliffs and plunge pool of Loup Scar and the shallower,...
read moreLow Force, Tees
Middleton-in-Teesdale
This is the little-known sister of High Force. Still very large but with a deep, calm pool on a...
read moreLower Glen Etive
Glencoe
A long river canyon with high cliffs and deep water. Popular for wild camping. As for Higher Glen Etive...
read moreLugg Meadows
Hereford
Large meadows just outside Hereford. Meandering gentle river with deep holes (2m) in bends and plenty of shelving gravel...
read moreLynnau Diffwys
Tanygrisiau
Two small shallow tarns at 500m at the head of Croesor valley. Fantastic views of Cnicht and the sea....
read moreMel Tor Pools
Mermaid’s Pool
Minster Lovell, Windrush
Witney
A small, clear, pretty Cotswold river running through the romantic grounds of the ruins. Just deep enough to swim...
read moreOutney Common
Bungay
A 3km stretch of the Waveney meandering around open common land. Good water quality, up to 2m deep in...
read moreOverbeck Br, Wastwater
Wasdale Head
Quartz-bedded, very clear, long lake (5km) with good shelving beaches and some of the most stunning scenery in the...
read morePamphill
Wimborne Minster
A wide stretch of mature river at old ford with weir, bridge and long upstream swimming stretch. Good access...
read morePeel Island, Lake Coniston
Blawith
A stretch of wooded rocky headlands with secluded sandy coves. Peel Island sits across a 100m strait.
read morePen-doll Rocks
Builth Wells
An exciting stretch of the Wye narrowing through rocky cliffs. Downstream are safe white sandy bays. Upstream the water...
read morePen-y-Fan, Nant Sere
Brecon
A string of magical shallow Waterfall or Gorge through fairy woodland under heathercovered hillside, under Pen-y-Fan. Some moss-covered. Pools...
read morePlodda Falls
Tomich
Deep, large, black plunge pool (30m) at base of Scotland’s second highest Waterfall or Gorge. Difficult scramble but stunning...
read morePort Meadow, Thames
Oxford
2km of river with little beaches (R bank) and grassy expanses of meadow (L bank). Shelving to up to...
read moreRandolph’s Leap
Relugas
Stunning wooded gorge on mythical River Findhorn, descending to rocky headlands with access to river beaches and very large...
read moreRespryn Bridge
Bodmin, 5km
Wooded National Trust estate riverside walk. Some sections 1.5’2m deep. Swim against the current. Wooden bankside deckings (for fishing)....
read moreRha Burn and Faerie Glen
Uig
Small lake by roadside in the pointyhilled Faerie Glen. Large Waterfall or Gorge plunge pool nearby.
read moreRhaeadr Du
Maentwrog
A beautiful wild gorge, off the tourist track, with 2km woodland walk to high Waterfall or Gorge with deep...
read moreRhaeadr Mawddach
Dolgellau
A large deep plunge pool at this littlevisited Waterfall or Gorge, set among the ruins of a former goldmine....
read moreRiver Chelmer near Ulting
Hatfield Peverel
This is a beautiful stretch of the river Chelmer. Try downstream from Hoemill Bridge and lock, or walk for...
read moreRob Roy’s Bathtub
Inverarnan
A huge plunge pot under a great Waterfall or Gorge. The Falls of Falloch are spectacular and the great...
read moreRockford Pools
Lynmouth, 5km
Rockford is tiny hamlet next to the tumbling wooded East Lyn above Watersmeet. Good real ale pub and series...
read moreRydal Bower
Rydal, Ambleside
A narrow dark cleft between rock walls and Waterfall or Gorge, crowned with rowan. Very deep (4m) and cold...
read moreSalmon Leaps, Teign
Whiddon Down A30, 3km
Long river pool in woods beneath Castle Drogo. About 1.5m deep. Weir and footbridge. The Teign cascades into three...
read moreSanton, Little Ouse
Thetford
30km further up the A11 from Cambridge. Pretty chalk stream running through forest with shelving access above footbridge next...
read moreSgwd Gwladys / Lady Falls
Pontneddfechan
A graceful column of water falls 10m into a deep, large plunge pool set in an amphitheatre in the...
read moreSherdon and Landacre
Withypool, 7km
Small junction pool of Barle and Sherdon, upstream from popular paddling at Landacre Bridge. Open and sunny with plenty...
read moreSheriff Muir Paradise Pools
Dunblane
A perfect, if small, plunge pool in open countryside with a fun rock slide. Above are 100m of further...
read moreShilley Pool
South Zeal, 2km
Small, dammed plunge pool in brook at edge of moor. Shallow (1m) but set beneath flat rock rapids with...
read moreSlippery Stones
Ashopton
On the young river Derwent, downstream of the foot bridge, about a mile up from the car park at...
read moreSoldier’s Leap
Killiecrankie
A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). Access is a scramble but peaceful...
read moreSpitchwick Common
Ashburton A38, 5km
Peaty water, clean from the mountain, this is the most popular and accessible Dart swimming location, especially in summer....
read moreSprinkling Tarn
Rosthwaite
A high tarn in the shadow of Scafell Pike with island and excellent diving and swimming. Popular for wild...
read moreSt Nectan’s Kieve
Tintagel, 2km
A tall, slender Waterfall or Gorge at the head of a wild woody dingle. It falls into a high...
read moreStainforth Force
Stainforth
A series of river pools and falls set beneath an old packhorse bridge. Grassy banks and good paddling. A...
read moreStonesfield, Evenlode
Woodstock
Pretty footbridge and clear, clean, shallow river on grassy banks below gentle Cotswold escarpment. Does not deepen to more...
read moreStrathmashie
Laggan
A large calm pool beneath Waterfall or Gorge on River Pattack in Strathmashie community forest next to car park....
read moreStrid Woods
Bolton Abbey
A shady, deep stretch of river beneath the notorious Strid gorge (do not swim IN the cataract itself). Wide...
read moreSymonds Yat
Ross-on-Wye
Small sandy bay, meadows, shelving to 2m. Large rocks on far bank. 5km N of Monmouth on A40 (dir...
read moreTarr Steps, Barle
Withypool, 7km
Ancient stone ‘clapper’ bridge, very popular with children for paddling. Deeper pool of Barle about 20 mins upstream through...
read moreTeffont Evias, Nadder
Salisbury
Small, secret pool under hatches, public right of way, but on wellmaintained fishing beat so don’t swim if fishermen...
read moreThe Warren
Hay-on-Wye
A popular stretch of commoner’s meadow by the side of the Wye. White shingle beach and shallows below the...
read moreThe Witch’s Cauldron
Clunes
A series of three falls and three pools set in quick succession by roadside. Interesting rock formations.
read moreThomason Foss
Goathland
A plunge pool (20m) set beneath an impressive Waterfall or Gorge at the head of a woodland walk. Starting...
read moreThree Shires Head, Dane
Flash
Two Waterfall or Gorge and plunge pools (shallow, 1m) plus bridges set in the small but wild valley at...
read moreTilford, River Wey
Farnham
Shallow river and ford at confluence of two Weys. Paddling. Quintessential village green, cricket matches and pub. Deeper below...
read moreTongue Pot, Eskdale
Boot
A long series of fantastic pools. Tongue Pot is more dramatic with high jumps possible (5m deep) many small...
read moreUlpha Bridge, Duddon
Ulpha
A popular area of grassy riverside with 300m stretch of pool and shallows, deep section under bridge from which...
read moreUnion Bridge, Tweed
Horncliffe
Wide (80m), shallow (1m), fast flowing stretch of Tweed, downstream of bridge. Fun to swim against current and cross...
read moreWain Wath Waterfall or Gorge
Keld
A wide Waterfall or Gorge, about 3m high, with pleasant plunge pool and open aspect. Limestone cliffs in valley...
read moreWarleigh Weir, Claverton
Bath
ONLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE WEST BANK (CLAVERTON, A36). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCESS FROM WARLEIGH / CONKWELL. 100m long...
read moreWash Pool, Irfon
Llanwrtyd Wells
A wide, open pool at the end of a short gorge with shelving access, about 2m deep. Long swim...
read moreWatkins path Waterfall or Gorge
Beddgelert
An extended series of pools and falls starting close to the Snowdon Watkins path. Rather overlooked but popular with...
read moreWellsfoot Island
Ashburton, 5km
Wonderful wooded island with red sand beach shelving into deep river bend with Holne cliff towering up behind. Rusty,...
read moreWolf’s Leap, Irfon
Llanwrtyd Wells
A series of deep pools, about 10m across and 3m deep, at the outflow a narrow, interesting slot gorge....
read more