Looking for somewhere to cool off in the midst of a heatwave? Britain is home to a wealth of natural wonders, including waterfalls, lakes, and wild swimming spots where you can take a dip surrounded by lush foliage and tweeting birds, rather than chlorine and screaming children. In this guide, we’ve broken down some of Britain’s best wild swimming spots, the best time of year for wild swimming, and Secret Escapes’ incredible English staycation deals so you can enjoy a peaceful nature retreat without breaking the bank.
Is Wild Swimming Legal in the UK?
Yes, there are no laws prohibiting wild swimming in the UK; there is a ‘right to roam’ law permitting swimmers to swim in most lakes and rivers. However, there are some exceptions, such as reservoirs, privately owned lakes, and rivers with navigation and fishing rights. To avoid issues, check your desired location in advance for any potential restrictions.
Wild Swimming vs Open Water Swimming: What’s the Difference?
‘Open water swimming’ is an umbrella term for swimming outdoors in any natural body of water, both recreationally and competitively, while ‘wild swimming’ refers to the casual, non-competitive act of swimming in rivers, lakes, and the sea.
Open water swimming is broadly treated as a sport, encompassing everything from structured open-water triathlon training and competitive racing to long-distance sea crossings. Wild swimming focuses on adventure, immersion in nature, and the psychological benefits of being outdoors.
Best Wild Swimming Spots in the UK
Tongue Pot, Eskdale
Tongue Pot’s emerald waters might be cold, but they’re impressively clear. Set along the River Esk in the Eskdale Valley, Tongue Pot is part of a series of pools, some with hair-raising higher jumps into five-metre depths and others with shallower waters and sunnier spots. A waterfall feeds into Tongue Pot itself, and the sheer rocky edges and grassy banks make it particularly pretty. There’s also a pebble beach for easier access to the water.
How to find it: Drive past the Woolpack Inn in Boot and park by the telephone at the bottom of Hardknott Pass. Follow the riverside path for two miles until you reach Tongue Pot’s ancient packhorse bridge. Coordinates: 54.4236, -3.1907
Galleny Force, Stonethwaite
Surrounded by grassy knolls, ancient trees, and large flat rocks (perfect for sunbathing), the atmospheric Galleny Force takes shape as two sets of pools, each just over a metre deep. It’s a lovely place for a picnic, and it’s worth bringing a mask and snorkel to get a glimpse of the underwater life. The more adventurously minded can head up the valley to the deeper waters of Black Moss pot for some excellent diving and jumping opportunities.
How to find it: Park by the red phone box in Stonethwaite and take the path towards the river. Turn right after you’ve crossed the bridge and follow the rocky path for about a mile. Coordinates: 54.5073, -3.1234
Kailpot Crag, Ullswater
Kailpot Crag lies on the shores of Lake Ullswater; its deep water and high cliff make it popular with those who like to jump, bomb, or dive their way into a wild swim. For a more relaxed way to enter the lake’s clear water, make camp on the nearby beach and paddle your way in. The crag backs onto a forest filled with ancient rowan and oak trees and, as it faces west, the views get even more splendid over sunset.
How to find it: From Sandiwick, take the footpath northeast towards Howtown, and you’ll come across Kailpot Bay and Crag after about a mile. You can also take the ferry to Howtown Pier and follow the footpath southwest. Coordinates: 54.5763, -2.8734
Crammel Linn, River Irthing
Set on the River Irthing, the 10-metre-high waterfall at Crammel Linn marks the start of the Irthing Gorge – an area home to beautiful ancient and semi-natural woodland. It’s Northumberland’s largest waterfall and can be accessed via a short (although unpredictable, given its unmanaged nature) walk across the moor. This is a good option for the adventurous, as intrepid spirits are rewarded with a lovely, secluded swimming spot.
How to find it: It’s about a mile and a half downstream from the Gilsland Spa Hotel, or you could walk across the moor from the road at grid reference: 636697. Coordinates: 55.0202, -2.5637
River Thames, Buscot, Cotswolds
Buscot Weir can become quite popular in clement weather, which is understandable given its deep natural pool and charming, willow-tree-lined edges. The lawns that overlook the water make great picnic areas, and the trees’ expansive roots provide makeshift launch points for young and old alike, so you can really make a splash between sandwiches.
How to find it: From Lechdale, head east on the A417, then turn left for Buscot. The weir lies north of Buscot Manor. Coordinates: 51.6809, -1.6683
Best Wild Swimming Spots Near London
River Wey, Tilford, Surrey
Set by a quintessential village green in Tilford are a ford and a shallow section of river that’s ripe for paddling. Below the ford and upstream from the bridge, there’s a deeper area that affords better submersion for the more serious swimmer. Elsewhere on the River Wey, the shoreline can take shape as sandy beaches and banks, and there’s plenty of peace and quiet in the waterside meadows towards Old Woking. All in all, it’s an area well worth an afternoon of exploration.
How to find it: Head to Tilford and look for the car park on the road that connects Tilford Road with Tilford Street. From Tilford, it’s about an hour’s walk to Fensham Great Pond – a large, man-made pond with a sandy beach area and designated swimming spots. Coordinates: 51.1830, -0.7518
River Thames, Pangbourne, Berkshire
The beauty of this wild swimming spot is how easy it is to access from London, yet once you’ve found it, there’s no concrete in sight. Stretching along the edge of the Chiltern Hills, this section of the Thames meanders through Pangbourne’s meadows and offers access points to the water via chalk beaches, grassy verges or boat ramps.
How to find it: Get the train to Pangbourne and walk three miles upstream, accessing the Thames Path via Hartslock Bridleway. If you’re driving, aim for Lower Basildon and gain access to the water from the opposite bank. Coordinates: 51.5080, -1.1109
River Stour, Fordwich, Kent
Fordwich might be England’s smallest town, but it still manages to squeeze in a top-notch wild swimming spot. Following the Great Stour River from here, you’ll meander from an open and sunny expanse to shaded woodlands, which eventually lead to a wild lake that’s only accessible by swimming or canoe. There are plenty of places to enter the Stour’s clear waters as you stroll along its banks, but head to the mooring platform near The Fordwich Arms pub if you want to make life easy for yourself.
How to find it: Head to The Fordwich Arms on the river’s south bank and you’ll find the mooring platform nearby. Coordinates: 51.3001, 1.1513
Best Wild Swimming Spots with Easy Parking and Access
Wain Wath Force, Keld
Whilst it might not be the most isolated spot, Wain Wath Force is incredibly easy to get to, thanks to its proximity to the B6270 road. It’s also situated on the 182-mile-long Coast to Coast Walk, which stretches from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea coast. Its location, on the infant River Swale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is peaceful and picturesque, and there’s a grassy bank just below the falls on which to enjoy a picnic.
How to find it: You can park on the side of the road near the gate that provides access to the river and the waterfall. Coordinates: 54.409322, -2.180146
River Lugg, Bodenham, Herefordshire
Bodenham provides a beautiful, storybook-like location for a handful of serene wild swimming spots along the River Lugg. Slowly flowing through, the river here boasts sandy beach areas along its edges, as well as natural pools. There’s something for everyone, as the water is home to both shallow and deep areas, drawing paddlers and divers alike. The surrounding countryside is peaceful and enchanting, so you can really drift away from it all.
How to find it: Head for St Michael’s Church (HR1 3JU) and follow the path just behind it to reach the water’s edge. Cross the bridge and head downstream to find the sandy beaches. Coordinates: 52.1535, -2.6892
Aira Beck, Matterdale
Owned by the National Trust, the area around Aira Beck is scenic enough to have inspired the writings of Wordsworth, who references it in ‘The Somnambulist’. The pools and pots of Aira Beck stretch for around half a mile before reaching the 20-metre-high Aira Force waterfall, from which the beck runs for a further kilometre to reach Ullswater Lake.
How to find it: A public footpath from the village of Dockray passes the waterfall. Watch out for the Wish Tree en route, where you can follow age-old tradition by hammering a coin into the bark with a piece of local stone while making a wish. Coordinates: 54.5793, -2.9289
What’s the Best Time of Year for Wild Swimming?
The best time of year for wild swimming in Britain depends wholly on the temperatures your body can handle. While spring and summer are universally the most popular seasons for swimming due to the warmer water and weather, they also bring far larger crowds looking to cool down from the heat. Early autumn (September and October) is also considered a great time for wild swimming, offering a sweet spot between warmer water, crisp air, and quieter surroundings.
Explore Incredible Wild Swimming Spots with Secret Escapes’ UK Stays
Discover the best hidden gems for wild swimming in Britain with Secret Escapes’ collection of England staycations. After a long day of swimming, kick your feet up in a chic boutique hotel, a picturesque country hotel, or sink into relaxation with our spa hotel deals. We offer outrageous discounts on the finest hotels, so you can enjoy luxury at a fraction of the cost. For more information and travel guides, read our blog, The Escapist, or contact us.
