Best Spots for Wild Swimming in the UK

There may still be a chill in the air, but if the Spring spirit is creeping up on you then there’s no better way to launch into an active spring than with a bit of wild swimming. The UK is packed full with hidden pools, beaches and lakes for you to take a dip in and get back to nature. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. Best for families: the Lake District

There are hundreds of great outdoor swimming spots in the Lake District. Pack a swimming costume and head off on a walk and you’re bound to find a beautiful pond or lake along your way. Families can find plenty of shallow spots on the tree-hungRiver Kent where it nears the city of Kendal. There are plenty of spots for parking and even a small beach area where you can rest and soak up some sun. Book a room at our Kendal Travelodge for a comfortable place to rest at the end of the day.
2. Best for city swimming: London’s Hampstead Heath

Wild swimming spots can be found in the most unlikely places, like right at the heart of a quiet neighbourhood in north London. The beloved Hampstead Ponds sit at the heart of a gorgeous wooded area in one of London’s best outdoor spaces. There are separate ponds for men and women as well as a mixed pond for groups. After your swim you can walk into Hampstead to warm up next to a real wood fire and a warm drink at local’s favourite The Holly Bush.

3. Best for waterfalls: Snowdonia, Wales

Head to Snowdonia to swim in a deep pool at the base of the beautiful Ceunant Mawr Waterfall. The waterfall is over 100ft high, cascading down the rocky cliff above this peaceful clearing. There are plenty of other swimming spots in the area too, including Cwm Pennant, a hidden cleft in a remote bluebell-filled valley. Stay at the Travelodge Porthmadog and you can enjoy a whole weekend of outdoor swimming.

4. Best for adrenalin junkies: the Scottish Highlands

If gentle paddling isn’t really your thing then you’ll get your kicks in the Scottish Highlands. The local high-octane swimming spots include Sheriffmuir Paradise Pools with their own rock slide and cascades. Alternatively, head to Feshiebridge where clearwater rapids lead to a rock pool with a shingle beach. With waters straight from the Cairngorms, it’s clean and refreshing as a glass of frosty lemonade on a hot day. The stunning gorge at Randolph’s Leap near Forres is also well worth a visit: straight out of a Highlands fairytale.