📍 20 wild swimming spots — all with directions, parking postcodes and honest temperature warnings

Best months: June–September No lifeguards — swim with a companion

📍 20 spots · All with directions · All with postcodes

Wild swimming in the Lake District

Twenty spots. From Instagram-famous infinity pools to hidden waterfalls nobody has named yet. All with directions, parking postcodes and honest water temperature warnings.

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Wild swimming spots with full directions

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13–18°

Best summer water temperatures, Jun–Sep

The complete guide

The best wild swimming spots in the Lake District

Wild swimming in the Lake District is cold, brilliant and occasionally terrifying — and there is nowhere better in England to do it. From the Instagram-famous Thirlmere Infinity Pool to the emerald pools of Wasdale and the plunge pools beneath Cumbria's highest waterfall, this is the complete guide: 20 spots, each with directions, a parking postcode and an honest water-temperature rating.

Every location below has a photograph, because nobody reads their way to a wild swim — you see a photo and you go. Each one links through to its nearest town hub so you can plan the rest of the day around it. And every card carries a brief safety note, because cold water shock is real and none of these places have lifeguards.

Our recommended three

The three wild swims worth the trip alone

Full directions, postcodes and safety notes for the Lake District's most-searched swimming spots.

Natural rock infinity pool at Thirlmere with fell views, Lake District

Thirlmere Infinity Pool

Cold year round

📍 Near Keswick · 🚶 20-30 min · 🅿️ CA12 4TQ

The Lake District's most talked-about wild swim. A natural rock formation above Thirlmere reservoir creates a series of pools that appear to drop away into the valley below — hence the name. It looks exactly like every photo you've seen on Instagram and TikTok, and it's worth every one.

How to get there

Park in the Legburthwaite lay-by on the A591, ~4 miles south of Keswick (CA12 4TQ). Cross the road and follow the path uphill through the forest; the pools are 20-30 minutes up, bearing right above the tree line.

Postcode: CA12 4TQ
What3Words: ///lamp.chest.ropes
Grid ref: NY 3187 1887
Nearest hub: Keswick · 4 mi
Water temp: 8-16°C seasonal

Open in Google Maps

Safety: Pools are slippery and the drop from the top pool is significant. Enter feet first, never jump blind. Cold water shock can occur even in summer.

Combine with a day in Keswick — 4 miles north →

Clear emerald green pool in Wasdale valley, Lake District

Wasdale Emerald Pool

Remote

📍 Wasdale · 🚶 45 min · 🅿️ CA20 1EX

One of the most extraordinary swimming spots in England. The valley geology and light create a vivid emerald-green colour in the water that looks edited — it isn't. Named locally but gaining social-media attention, so visit midweek to have it relatively to yourself.

How to get there

Park at the National Trust car park at Wasdale Head (CA20 1EX) — the road in is single-track for nine miles from Gosforth, so allow extra time. Take the path signed for Scafell Pike: it crosses the bridge over Lingmell Gill and climbs alongside the beck. After about 45 minutes (roughly 1 km of stony path) look for the deep, clear plunge pool where the gill widens between rock slabs on your left. No phone signal anywhere in the valley — download OS Explorer OL6 offline before you set off and tell someone your plan.

Postcode: CA20 1EX
Walk: 45 min from car park
Nearest hub: Wasdale
Water temp: 8-14°C

Safety: Remote location with no phone signal. Download maps offline and tell someone your plan. The Wasdale Head Inn is the nearest help — 45 minutes away.

Plan your full Wasdale day →

Buttermere lake and surrounding fells, Lake District

Buttermere Plunge Pools

Cool, sheltered

📍 Buttermere · 🚶 30-40 min · 🅿️ CA13 9XA

Buttermere has two distinct wild swims — the plunge pools above Scale Force (Cumbria's highest waterfall at 40 metres), and the lake itself, some of the most beautiful open-water swimming in the country. The lake is shallower than Wastwater and warms faster in summer; the Scale Force plunge pool is cold even in August.

How to get there

Park in Buttermere village (CA13 9XA) — the National Trust car park behind the Fish Inn, or the smaller Bridge Hotel car park opposite. Walk down past the Fish Inn to the lake; the shore is 5–10 minutes from the car. For Scale Force and the plunge pools: follow the western shore path (lake on your left) toward the head of the lake for about 1.5 miles, then take the clear path that branches right and climbs the fellside — the waterfall and plunge pools are at the top after a steep final 10 minutes. Total 30–40 minutes from the village.

Postcode: CA13 9XA
Scale Force: 30-40 min walk
Lake shore: 10 min walk
Best months: May-Oct (lake)

See the full Buttermere guide →

The full list

All 20 wild swimming spots in the Lake District

Every location with directions, parking postcodes and honest water-temperature ratings.

River pool in Eskdale valley, Lake District

Tongue Pot, Eskdale

A series of deep, clear pools on the River Esk in Eskdale. One of the most visited wild swimming spots in the western Lakes — busy in summer, extraordinary in autumn.

🅿️ CA19 1TG · 🚶 20 min from Boot · Best May–Sep

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Stone bridge over clear river pool, Dunnerdale, Lake District

Birks Bridge, Dunnerdale

A beautiful stone packhorse bridge over a deep, crystal-clear river pool in the Duddon Valley. One of the most photogenic wild swimming spots in Cumbria.

🅿️ LA20 6EX · 🚶 2 min from car park · Best May–Oct

Nearest hub: Coniston →

Scale Force Waterfall

Cumbria's highest waterfall at 40 metres. The plunge pool at the base is cold even in August, but swimming here is extraordinary. 30 minutes from Buttermere village.

🅿️ CA13 9XA · 🚶 30 min · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Buttermere →

Easedale Tarn

The mountain tarn above Grasmere. Flat approach, wild tarn, extraordinary fell views. A 90-minute round trip from Grasmere village — one of the most accessible mountain swims in the Lakes.

🅿️ LA22 9QJ · 🚶 45 min up · Cold year round

Nearest hub: Grasmere →

Natural dark rock pool in Langdale, Lake District

Black Moss Pot

A deep, dark rock pool on Stickle Ghyll above Langdale. The water is peaty and cold and absolutely beautiful. Busy on summer weekends — go early.

🅿️ LA22 9JU · 🚶 20 min · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Ambleside →

Rock jumping spot over pool in Lake District

Buckstones Jump

One of the few designated jumping spots in the Lakes. A series of pools below a low cliff — entry points are well-worn by years of use. Popular with locals. Do not jump blind.

🅿️ LA22 9JU · ⚠️ Feet first — check depth first

Nearest hub: Ambleside →

Ritson's Force waterfall near Wasdale Head Inn, Lake District

Ritson's Force, Wasdale

A waterfall and pool 10 minutes from the Wasdale Head Inn — one of the most accessible wild swims in the western Lakes. Named after Will Ritson, the 19th-century landlord who claimed to be the world's biggest liar.

🅿️ CA20 1EX · 🚶 10 min from the pub · Best May–Oct

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Sour Milk Ghyll waterfall and pools near Grasmere

Sour Milk Ghyll, Easedale

The white foaming waterfall below Easedale Tarn. Several pools on the descent are swimmable — the name comes from the milky white water churning over the rocks. Pass it on the way to or from the tarn.

🅿️ LA22 9QJ · 🚶 30 min from Grasmere · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Grasmere →

Galleny Force waterfall pool in Borrowdale, Lake District

Galleny Force, Borrowdale

A beautiful waterfall and pool in the heart of Borrowdale, 15 minutes from Stonethwaite. Sheltered, warm in summer, and quiet compared to better-known spots.

🅿️ CA12 5XG · 🚶 15 min · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Keswick →

Waterfall and plunge pool in Lake District fells

Whorneyside Force

A hidden waterfall above Langdale with a plunge pool large enough to swim in. Rarely visited despite being reachable in 30 minutes from the Old Dungeon Ghyll.

🅿️ LA22 9JY · 🚶 30 min uphill · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Ambleside →

Coniston Coppermines

The mining valley above Coniston has several pools and tarns — Levers Water at the top is the main destination, cold and very clear. The pools en route are swimmable and far less visited.

🅿️ LA21 8HQ · 🚶 40–60 min up · Cold even in summer

Nearest hub: Coniston →

Netherbeck waterfalls and pools, Wasdale, Lake District

Netherbeck Waterfalls, Wasdale

A series of falls and pools on Netherbeck above Wastwater. Remote, rarely visited, and genuinely wild. The pools below the main falls are deep enough for swimming, surrounded by extraordinary mountain scenery.

🅿️ CA20 1EX · 🚶 30–40 min · No phone signal

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Gill Force waterfall near Ullswater, Lake District

Gill Force, Ullswater

A small but perfectly formed waterfall and plunge pool near the Ullswater shore. Accessible from the Howtown steamer stop — combine with an Ullswater Steamers trip for a brilliant day.

🅿️ CA10 2NA · 🚶 20 min from Howtown · Best May–Oct

Nearest hub: Glenridding →

Deep river pool in Eskdale, Lake District

Kail Pot, Eskdale

A deep river pool on the Esk below Stanley Ghyll Force in Eskdale. Crystal clear, sheltered, and far less visited than the nearby Tongue Pot. One of the western Lakes' best-kept secrets.

🅿️ CA19 1TG · 🚶 25 min from Boot · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Chockstone Falls, Eskdale

A distinctive waterfall where a large boulder (the "chockstone") wedged across the gorge creates a natural slide into the pool below. One of the most unusual swimming experiences in the Lakes.

🅿️ CA19 1TG · 🚶 35 min · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Blea Tarn with Langdale Pikes behind, Lake District

Blea Tarn, Langdale

The National Trust tarn between the two Langdale valleys. Small, accessible, and one of the most beautiful views in the Lakes — the Langdale Pikes reflected in still water. Great for a swim after the drive from Ambleside.

🅿️ LA22 9PF · 🚶 5 min from car park · Best Jun–Sep

Nearest hub: Ambleside →

Wast Water

England's deepest lake at 79 metres. Extraordinarily clear and cold year round — 8–12°C even in summer. Swim from the shore near the car park. The view while swimming — screes rising 600 metres from the water — is like nothing else in England.

🅿️ CA20 1EX · Shore access · ⚠️ Serious cold water risk

Nearest hub: Wasdale →

Read before you get in

Wild swimming safety in the Lake District

Cold water is brilliant and serious in equal measure. These four things matter most.

Cold water shock

The most serious risk. Even in summer, Lake District water is cold. Enter slowly. Never dive or jump without acclimatising — cold water shock can cause involuntary gasping and muscle failure within seconds.

No lifeguards

None of these locations have lifeguards or supervised swimming areas. Always swim with a companion. Tell someone your plan before you go.

Remote locations

Many spots have no phone signal. Download OS maps offline before you leave. Carry a whistle. The mountain rescue teams are volunteers.

What to bring

Wetsuit (extends your season and safety window), tow float (visibility), water shoes (rocky entries), dry bag, warm layers for after. Never swim in jeans.

When to go

When to go wild swimming in the Lake District

Average water temperature, month by month — cold blue through to swimmable green and back again.

Jan
4°

Feb
4°

Mar
6°

Apr
8°

May
10°

Jun
13°

Jul
16°

Aug
16°

Sep
14°

Oct
11°

Nov
8°

Dec
5°

❄ï¸ January–February (4°C): Experienced cold water swimmers only.

🥶 March (6°C): Wetsuit essential.

🥶 April (8°C): Wetsuit recommended.

🌡️ May (10°C): Wetsuit recommended, brave without.

✅ June (13°C): Good swimming begins.

✅ July–August (16°C): Best months — warmest, longest days.

✅ September (14°C): Still excellent.

🥶 October–December (11→5°C): Wetsuit essential, then experienced only.

Common questions

Wild swimming questions, answered

Can you swim in the Lake District?

Yes — wild swimming is legal in most lakes, tarns and rivers. There are no lifeguards. Cold water shock is real. Swim with a companion.

Where is the Thirlmere Infinity Pool?

Near Legburthwaite, south of Keswick. Park in the lay-by on the A591 (CA12 4TQ). It's a 20–30 minute walk.

Can you swim in the Thirlmere Infinity Pool?

Yes. It's a natural rock formation with no restrictions. Best in summer (June–September). The water is cold year round.

How long does it take to walk to the Thirlmere Infinity Pool?

20–30 minutes from the Legburthwaite lay-by on the A591, uphill through forest then open fell.

When is the best time to go wild swimming in the Lake District?

June to September for water temperatures above 15°C. April–May and October are possible with a wetsuit.

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