There are so many lakes, tarns, rivers, and hidden pools in the Lake District that choosing where to swim can honestly feel a bit overwhelming. You can spend hours looking at maps trying to narrow down your options.
To make things a little easier, here’s a handful of our favourite Lake District wild swimming spots. Every body of water on this list is based on our own first-hand experience, so you know these are places we’d genuinely recommend.
Let’s dive in (pun intended).
1. Coniston Water, Coniston: Best for iconic lake vibes and easy access
What makes it special: Easy access along most of the shoreline on both sides of the lake.
Top tip: Head to the west side for morning sun or east for the evening rays.
If you want that classic Lake District experience, Coniston Water delivers. This lake is framed by the rolling South Lakes hills and is one of the easiest places to access for a dip– especially if you’re not keen on hiking miles to get to swimming spots.
There are plenty of quiet entry points along the shoreline on both sides of the lake (here’s a good spot on the west and here’s one on the east). It can get pretty busy on sunny weekends, and parking along the road around these spots can fill up fast. Best to arrive early to avoid missing out.
Official car parks for the lake include Brown Howe and Monk Coniston, both of which are pay and display.
Fun fact: Coniston Water is where Donald Campbell famously attempted his speed record runs in the Bluebird boat!
2. Devoke Water, Birker Fell: Best for remote tranquillity
What makes it special: Total isolation in epic moorland scenery.
Top tip: Bring warm layers as it can feel exposed and windy – even in summer!
Tucked away on Birker Fell, Devoke Water is the largest tarn in the Lake District – but somehow still feels like one of the most secluded. No cafés, no crowds, and no noise – just open moorland and fresh water that feels completely untouched.
Getting here requires a bit of effort in a car (think winding single-track roads and a steep hill up to Birker Fell), but that’s exactly why it stays so peaceful.
However, the walk to the tarn is short and relatively flat, so it’s easy to get to the actual water after parking up here.
3. Buckstones Jump, near Rydal: Best for a waterfall plunge
What makes it special: Waterfall swimming in a dramatic, natural setting.
Top tip: Wear sturdy shoes (that you don’t mind getting muddy!) as it can get pretty boggy around the water.
Buckstones Jump (sometimes called “Buckstones Jum”) is a natural waterfall pool with beautiful views down over Rydal Water and the surrounding fells.
You’ll need to do a short (and steep) walk to reach it. Once you arrive, you’ll see a rocky gorge, cascading water, and deep plunge pools that are perfect for a refreshing swim.
Because it’s a waterfall, expect the water to be pretty cold – even on warm days. If you’re feeling brave, you can head to the top of the waterfall and slide down the middle! Being careful, of course.
4. Birks Bridge, Duddon Valley: Best for quiet, crystal-clear swimming
What makes it special: Crystal-clear blue river pools.
Top tip: Visit midweek if you can – weekends are still quiet but slightly busier with locals.
Hidden away in the Duddon Valley, Birks Bridge feels like one of those places we almost don’t want to tell anyone about. Fortunately for you, we’re sharing our knowledge!
The river here forms deep, clear pools beneath an old stone bridge. And the water? It’s unbelievably clear and refreshing, with gentle currents and smooth rock pools that make it perfect for a cool dip on a hot day (or an exhilarating plunge on a cold one!).
You can park nearby for a swim at Birks Bridge, but it can get quite busy so arriving earlier is always best. If the car park is full, there are several other spots along the River Duddon where you can park and swim, including near Ulpha.
5. Blea tarn, Great Langdale: Best for breathtaking Lake District mountain views
What makes it special: Iconic mountain views and reflections of the Langdale Pikes.
Top tip: Blea Tarn has a rocky entry that turns to soft peat, so water shoes are a good idea to protect your feet and avoid the squishy feeling underfoot.
If there’s one wild swimming spot that looks like a postcard came to life, it’s Blea Tarn.
Set in Great Langdale, this small tarn sits in a dramatic valley surrounded by the towering Langdale Pikes. On a calm day, the water reflects the mountains so perfectly that it’s like a mirror image of the view.
Access to this tarn is relatively easy. With a short walk from the nearby pay and display car park, it’s another great option if you want big scenery without a long hike.
But if you fancy a bigger day out, you can follow the surrounding trails (like this Great Langdale circular route) and end with a plunge at the tarn.
Other spots for wild swimming in the Lake District
Here are a few more Lake District wild swimming spots that are absolutely worth adding to your list if you’ve got extra time (or just want to keep the adventure going a bit longer):
- Levers Water. A high mountain tarn above Coniston that feels really remote and idyllic. The walk up to Levers Water from the Walna Scar car park is a bit of a leg burner, but the reward is a wild swim surrounded by rugged fells.
- Thirlmere infinity pool. This infinity pool offers incredible views over Thirlmere, and the setting alone makes it well worth a visit. How often do you get to go to a natural infinity pool?! The walk up to the waterfall is relatively easy from the layby until the steep uphill that lasts for about half a kilometre and takes you up to the top. This hidden gem has become quite popular in the last couple of years, so bear that in mind when choosing when to visit.
- Beacon Tarn. A small but beautiful tarn near the south end of Coniston Water and views of the South Lake fells. It’s a short hike to reach the tarn from the parking at Water Yeat, and it’s 100% worth it. Beacon is also a good spot to visit for an epic sunset over wide open skies, so we’d recommend an evening hike up (don’t forget head torches for the way down).
- Ullswater. One of the most famous lakes in the region, and for good reason. It’s long, deep, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are plenty of quiet swim spots along its shoreline, especially if you head away from the main tourist areas like Glenridding or Pooley Bridge.
- Loughrigg Tarn. Tucked away near Ambleside, this tarn has lovely views of the Langdale Pikes from a different angle to Blea Tarn. In spring, you’ll often see lambs hopping and playing around the water’s edge! It’s a great swim spot with easy access from these car parking spots (but there are only a few – in classic Lake District fashion, it’s best to arrive early).
Final thoughts
Hopefully, we’ve helped you narrow down your search for where to swim in the Lake District. These are all places we’ve genuinely enjoyed and would happily return to, but they’re only a small snapshot of what’s out there.
The Lake District is full of unexpected spots to dip into (sorry, we can’t help the puns). Part of the fun is stumbling across your own favourites along the way.