Where to swim
Miller ground, Windermerce Lake
Although Windermere is the largest and busiest of all the lakes, with lots of motor boats and tourists zipping around, Miller Ground, on the North Eastern shore, is a great place to start your Lakes swim journey.
Easily accessible by foot or by car, and just outside the town of Windermere, it is a short walk into the water with lovely long jetties for entry and benches to relax on afterwards.. There are plenty of buoys to swim out to – you can even hang on to one and have a natter if you fancy it! The surrounding area might not be as remote as some of the other lake swims we have suggested, but this wins hands down for facilities and proximity to cafes for afterwards!
Lake Buttermere
This wonderful motor-boat free lake that is perfect for a short shallow swim, or, if you are feeling adventurous (and have a bright tow float with you), then you can swim its 2km length surrounded by nothing but the sights and sounds of nature.
The lake is very deep, so stay close to the edge if you are not sure; if you venture out into the centre you will be rewarded by one of the best views in the whole of the Lake District! Not much parking around this lake, but it is only a ten-minute walk from the village of Buttermere, so pack a bag and walk to your swim.
Laughrigg tarn
A lovely quiet spot at the foot of Loughrigg Fell; an easy walk from Ambleside village. Almost completely circular it is accessible on all sides, with shallow entrances and exits and lots of friendly sheep to chat to while you dry off!
The tarn is less than 0.5km in length and usually pretty warm, making it a nice easy swim in beautiful surroundings. It was one of Wordsworth’s favourite places, and he famously described it as “round, clear and bright as heaven…a most beautiful example”.
Crummock Water
A large, quiet, deep lake with no motor boats, making it great for swimming – but watch the temperatures here even in summer as the water tends to be colder here than in some of the shallower lakes. You can walk or drive here and there is plenty of parking dotted around.
You can also visit the largest waterfall in the Lakes, Scale Force, which is on the western side of the Lake. If you’re going for a swim, you can either pop straight in for a short paddle (the lake has a lovely gentle shelf all the way around) or if you want to swim a distance you can swim across the width and back (just under 1km each way). The view from the centre of the lake is breathtaking; we can recommend it!
If you are a really confident swimmer you should consider swimming end to end (approx. 4km). It is long but worth it. You would need to leave transport (and all your warm kit!) at one end and then swim back to it of course – or find a friend to meet you at the end of your swim. So many options at Crummock Water!
Black Moss Pot
An old favourite for wild swimmers in heart of Borrowdale.
Black Moss Pot is always worth a visit; the hike to get there is spectacular and the rush of the powerful waterfall when you arrive is a sight and sound to behold!
The deep waters below the steep sided rocky walls make it the perfect place for the bravehearted to jump in with abandon. For those of a calmer disposition there is a gentler access point via a shallow stream that enters the Pot at the opposite end to the waterfall.
You will need to follow a map to find this treasure as it is well hidden from the main paths but my oh my is it worth the trip.
Rydal Water
One of the smallest lakes (just over 1km in length) with a couple of islands you can easily swim to and back. William Wordsworth lived on the banks of Rydal and you can see why. Easily accessible from Ambleside or Grasmere, it is picture perfect and not too challenging a swim. There is a lovely walk around the perimeter and plenty of parking near the Southern shore if you have a car.
If you are unsure of the water, you can swim short distances along the shoreline or if you’re feeling brave you can swim the length and back.
There are lots of places to enter easily from and plenty of tree coverage to keep your kit dry if it is raining. Every time we swim here we have a different experience – it is a beautiful swim whether in full sun or shrouded in mist. The ultimate atmospheric Lake District swim.