Wild swimming in the United Kingdom

Bray Lake

Bray Lake Watersports provides pre-booked open-water swimming sessions in a 50-acre lake near Maidenhead.

Sgwd y Pannwr

Waterfall on the Afon Mellte with a plunge pool used for wild swimming.

Sgwd yr Eira

Waterfall on the Four Waterfalls Walk with a plunge pool used for wild swimming.

Llyn y Fan Fawr

Llyn y Fan Fawr is a natural mountain lake where swimming is possible.

Llyn Cwm Llwch

Llyn Cwm Llwch is a natural mountain lake below Pen y Fan where wild swimming is possible.

Henleaze Lake

Falcon Meadow, River Waveney

Willen Lake

Willen Lake permits booked, lifeguarded open-water swimming sessions on Saturdays.

Taplow Lake

Managed open-water swimming takes place on marked 100m and 400m courses at Taplow Lakeside.

Loch Morlich

Loch Morlich is a freshwater loch and designated bathing water near Aviemore.

Loch Pityoulish

Loch Pityoulish is a natural loch near Aviemore where swimming and bathing are described as possible.

Falls of Bruar

A series of waterfalls and deep natural pools on Bruar Water in a wooded gorge.

Loch Bhrodainn

A natural loch in the Cairngorms National Park.

Loch Loch

A natural loch in the Cairngorms National Park.

Linn of Dee

River gorge and downstream pools on the River Dee near Mar Lodge Estate.

Linn of Quoich

Waterfall and rocky gorge on the River Quoich, including the natural Punch Bowl.

Loch Insh

Loch Insh is a natural loch with a watersports centre and swimming is practised there.

River Spey

The River Spey is a natural river through the Cairngorms and is used for wild swimming and watersports.

River Pattack

River pools and waterfall pools on the River Pattack are accessible from the A86 and used for wild swimming.

Dubh Loch

Dubh Loch is a small upland freshwater loch within the Balmoral Estate, near Ballater.

Falls of the Glasallt

The Falls of the Glasallt are a waterfall near the head of Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire.

Loch Coire an Lochain

Loch Coire an Lochain is a high mountain loch below Braeriach in the Cairngorms.

Loch Muick

Loch Muick is an upland freshwater loch at the head of Glen Muick on the Balmoral Estate.

Falls of Garbh Allt

Falls of Garbh Allt has several natural pools below waterfalls near Braemar.

Loch an t-Seilich

Loch an t-Seilich is a natural loch reached by a path from Glen Tromie.

Loch Avon

Loch Avon is a remote freshwater loch with shingle beaches in the Cairngorm Mountains.

Loch Etchachan

Loch Etchachan is a remote, high freshwater loch in the Cairngorms National Park.

Sheep's Green DBW

Byron’s Pool

Byron’s Pool is a local nature reserve beside the River Cam at Grantchester Road.

Waresley Park lake

Spring-fed lake with booked, lifeguarded swimming sessions throughout the year.

Hinchingbrooke Lake

Hinchingbrooke Lake is an open lake-swimming venue in Hinchingbrooke Country Park, with changing rooms and a nearby cafe.

River Dee at Sandy Lane

Manley Mere

Manley Mere offers organised open-water swimming sessions in a natural lake near Frodsham.

The Flash

Winsford Flash is a shallow lake used mainly for sailing and fishing, with occasional swimming.

Pick Mere

Pick Mere is a natural lake with pre-booked open-water swimming sessions and access from the shore.

Booby's Bay

Downderry

Carbis Bay Beach

Middle Beach

Gwynver Beach

Treyarnon Beach

Trevone Beach

Daymer Bay

Maenporth Beach

Porthcothan Beach

Swanpool Beach

Readymoney Cove Beach

Porthcurno

Gyllyngvase Beach

Kennack Sands

Pentewan Beach

Lusty Glaze Beach

Watergate Beach

Fistral Beach

Hayle Bay

Eliza Beach

Northcott Mouth beach

Praa Sands

Porthleven Sands

Constantine Bay

Harlyn Bay

Perhaver Beach

East Looe Beach

Plaidy Beach

Polkirt Beach

Sennen Cove

Crantock Beach

Dunes

Porth Beach

Mother Ivy's Bay

Holywell Beach

Harbour Beach

Porthluney Beach

Polstreath

Vault Beach

Trevaunance Cove

Amy's Cove

Carne and Pendower Beach

Porthcurnick

Perran Beach

Widemouth Sands

Porthmeor Beach

Pedn-y-ke

Poldhu Cove

Church Cove

Crinnis Beach

Porthminster Beach

Perranuthnoe Beach

Finnygook Beach

Seaton Beach

Porthtowan Beach

Porthpean Beach

Duporth Beach

Par Sands

Cawsand

Tregonhawke

Lostwithiel, River Fowey

Polkerris

Porthallow

Porthoustock

Coverack

Praa Sands West

Marazion

Long Rock

Penzance

Wherry Town

Mexico Towans

Hayle Towans

Upton Towans

Gwithian Towans

Godrevy Towans

Trebarwith Strand

Crackington Haven

Seaham Beach

Crimdon

Seaton Carew North

Seaton Carew Centre

Walney Biggar Bank

Haverigg

Seascale

St Bees

Allonby

Ashgill Force

Waterfall on Ashgill Beck with natural pools and smaller cascades downstream.

Urswick Tarn

Urswick Tarn is a natural marl tarn beside Great Urswick.

Talkin Tarn

Talkin Tarn is a natural lake in a country park used for boating and open-water swimming.

Mockerkin Tarn

Mockerkin Tarn is a natural tarn near Mockerkin in Cumbria.

Longlands Lake

Longlands Lake is a former iron-ore mine site with a car park and a footpath around the lake near Cleator.

Leece Tarn

A natural tarn beside the village of Leece on the Furness peninsula.

Blencarn Lake

Blencarn Lake is a 15-acre spring-fed man-made lake near Blencarn, with fly fishing and on-site facilities.

Shilley Pool

Small, shallow natural pool on Blackaton Brook near Throwleigh, with a natural rock slide and small cascades.

East Dart Waterfall

Waterfall near Postbridge cascading over granite slabs into a large natural pool used for swimming in summer.

Combs Reservoir

Combs Reservoir is a natural-water reservoir where swimming is permitted during organised summer meets.

Boat Beach

Hele Beach

Bantham beach

Broad Sands

Slapton Sands

Oddicombe Beach

Red Cove

South Milton Sands

Babbacombe Beach

Maidencombe Beach

Bovisand Beach

St Mary's Bay

Whitsand Beach

Wildersmouth Beach

Blackpool Sands

Mill Bay

Preston Sands

Hollicombe Beach

Corbyn Beach

Beacon Cove

Shoalstone

Warren Beach

Splat Cove

Beer Roads

North Sands

Bigbury Beach

Challaborough Beach

Combesgate Beach

Shaldon Beach

Meadfoot Beach

Ness Beach

Teignmouth Beach

Wembury Beach

Seaton Beach

Croyde Beach

Combe Martin beach

Putsborough Sands

Warfleet Creek, Dart Estuary

Sidmouth Town

Ladram Bay

Budleigh Salterton

Sandy Bay

Exmouth

Dartmouth Castle Cove

Dawlish Warren

Teignmouth Holcombe

Stoke Gabriel, Dart Estuary

Steamer Quay, Dart Estuary

Dittisham, Dart Estuary

Slapton Sands Torcross

Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary

Newton and Noss

Plymouth Firestone Bay

Westward Ho!

Saunton Sands

Woolacombe Village

Knoll Beach

Castle Cove

Kimmeridge Bay

Hive Beach

Lulworth Cove

Seatown Beach

Avon Beach

Durdle Door

East Beach

Church Cliff Beach

Ringstead Beach

Sandbanks Beach

Branksome Chine Beach

Alum Chine Beach

Southbourne Beach

Boscombe Beach

Shore Road Beach

Christchurch Bay

Highcliffe

Christchurch Highcliffe Castle

Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East

Bournemouth Hengistbury West

Bournemouth Manor Steps

Bournemouth Pier

Bournemouth Durley Chine

Poole Harbour Lake

Poole Harbour Rockley Sands

Shell Bay North

Swanage Central

Bowleaze Cove

Weymouth Lodmoor

Weymouth Central

Eypemouth

Charmouth West

Lyme Regis Front Beach

Camber Sands

Brighton Beach

Saltdean beach

Winchelsea

Hastings Pelham Beach

St Leonards

Bexhill

Norman`s Bay

Pevensey Bay

Eastbourne

Seaford

Rottingdean Beach

Brighton Central

Hove

Weir Wood Reservoir

Reservoir with bookable, lifeguarded open-water swimming sessions.

Bell Wharf Beach

Martello Bay

Booth Bay

Manningtree Beach, Stour Estuary

Dovercourt

Walton

Frinton

Jaywick

Brightlingsea

West Mersea

Shoebury East

Shoeburyness

Southend Thorpe Bay

Southend Jubilee

Southend Westcliff Bay

Southend Chalkwell

Canvey Island Foreshore

Jaywick Sands Beach

Jaywick is a sandy beach between Clacton-on-Sea and Colne Point, described as suitable for swimming.

Alexandra Lake

Alexandra Lake offers lifeguarded open-water swimming sessions from May to September.

Hadleigh Plungers OWS

Hadleigh Plungers runs organised open-water swimming sessions on the reservoir at Hadleigh Country Park.

Lynmouth

Porlock Weir

Long Pool

A deep, 50-metre river pool in a wooded gorge reached by the Watersmeet path.

Pinkery Pond

Artificial freshwater pond formed in 1830 by the headwaters of the River Barle.

Tarr Steps

River Barle pools and shallows surround the historic Tarr Steps bridge.

Cotswold Country Park and Beach

Sale Water Park

Sale Water Park is a public park containing an artificial lake used for organised open-water swimming and watersports.

Hayling Eastoke

Hayling Beachlands Central

Hayling Beachlands West

Lee-on-Solent

Milford-on-sea

River Avon at Fordingbridge

River Hamble

The tidal River Hamble has open-water swimming activity near River Hamble Country Park and Lower Swanwick.

Hurst Beach

Hurst Beach is a shingle coastal beach on Hurst Spit near Keyhaven.

Stanborough Park South Lake

Better runs booked open-water swimming sessions on a 400m course in Stanborough Park South Lake.

River Beane–River Lea confluence

The River Beane joins the River Lea near Hertford Lock at a wild swimming spot by Hartham Common.

Dores Beach

Dores is a gravel and sandy beach on the north-east shore of Loch Ness beside Dores village.

Nairn (Central)

Designated bathing water on the Moray Firth beside Nairn.

Nairn (East)

Designated bathing water on the Moray Firth beside Nairn.

Rosemarkie

Designated bathing water at Rosemarkie on the Moray Firth.

Dunnet

Dunnet is a designated sandy bathing beach on the north coast of Scotland.

Thurso

Thurso Beach is a sandy designated bathing water beside Thurso, extending from Rockwell Point to Little Ebb.

Dornoch Sands

Dornoch is a 4 km sandy bathing beach on the Dornoch Firth.

Gairloch Beach

Designated sandy bathing beach south of Gairloch village, used for swimming, rowing, kayaking and snorkelling.

Sand Beach

Designated sand and shingle bathing beach beside Big Sand, west of Gairloch, used for swimming, boating and snorkelling.

Achmelvich

Achmelvich is a designated bathing water in a small, shallow Highland sea bay.

Loch Awe

Loch Awe is a long, deep and cold freshwater loch with open swims and sheltered bays.

Dog Falls

River pools and plunge pools lie among woodland beside Dog Falls in Glen Affric.

Plodda Falls

Plodda Falls is a 46-metre waterfall with a plunge pool at the bottom.

Eas Chia-aig Falls

Eas Chia-aig is a waterfall with a deep plunge pool known as the Witches Pool.

Loch Lochy

Loch Lochy is a deep freshwater loch in the Great Glen with no established swimming spots.

Loch Morar

Loch Morar is a deep freshwater loch with beaches and accessible entry points for swimming.

Eas Mòr

Eas Mòr is a 40-metre waterfall in Glen Brittle, associated with natural pools on the River Brittle.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is a large, deep freshwater loch used for wild swimming.

Steall Waterfall

Steall Waterfall is a 120-metre waterfall in Glen Nevis with shallow bathing pools near the wire bridge.

Meeting of Three Waters

Three mountain streams form cascades and pools beside the A82 in Glen Coe.

Sandwood Bay

Sandwood Bay is a remote Atlantic beach backed by dunes and Sandwood Loch.

White Falls

White Falls is a natural waterfall at Loch Spey in the Scottish Highlands.

Compton Bay

Ventnor Beach

Seagrove Bay

Gurnard Beach

Totland Bay

Colwell Bay

Ryde

St Helens

Bembridge

Whitecliff Bay

Yaverland

Sandown

Shanklin

Alum Bay Beach

Mainly shingle beach beside The Needles, with clear water favoured by local swimmers.

Freshwater Bay

Pebble beach with sand below low water and a rock ledge exposed at low tide.

Steephill Cove

Sheltered cove below Ventnor Undercliff with clear swimming waters and rock pools.

Sandown Beach

Sandy sea beach in Sandown Bay with public swimming and a seasonal beach safety service.

Walpole Bay Tidal Pool

Marine Terrace Tidal Pool

Botany Bay

Joss Bay

West Beach, Whitstable

Minnis Bay

Viking Bay

Sunny Sands

St Margaret's Bay

Stone Bay

Herne Bay Beach

Greatstone beach

Sheerness

Minster Leas

Tankerton

Herne Bay

West Bay, Westgate

St Mildred's Bay, Westgate

Ramsgate Sands

Sandwich Bay

Deal Castle

Sandgate Granville Parade

Dymchurch

St Mary's Bay (Kent)

Deal Castle Beach

Deal Castle Beach is a public sea-bathing beach in Deal.

Ocean Lake

Ocean Lake is a freshwater lake at Leybourne Lakes Country Park where authorised open-water swimming is available through the watersports operation.

River Stour, Fordwich

The River Stour runs through Fordwich and has described access points for swimming.

Fell Foot

Public lakeshore swimming at Fell Foot Park on Windermere, with changing facilities, showers and water-safety advice.

Loweswater

A small lake in a wooded valley where public swimming is permitted and powered craft are not allowed.

Buttermere

Buttermere is an open-access lake with shore swimming, no powered craft and a footpath around the water.

Derwentwater

Derwentwater is a large lake with publicly accessible shoreline where swimming is allowed, alongside active boat use.

Grasmere

Grasmere is a lake in the Lake District National Park where public swimming is permitted and motor boats are prohibited.

Rydal Water

Rydal Water is a small lake where individual recreational swimming is allowed, with public access from routes near White Moss Common and Pelter Bridge.

Ullswater

Large open-access lake where swimming is allowed, with boat traffic and changing conditions requiring care.

Coniston Water

A large navigable lake where public swimming is permitted, with boating activity and public access at several shoreline locations.

Crummock Water

Crummock Water is a clear, rocky-bottomed lake between Buttermere and Loweswater, with swimming permitted and no powered craft.

Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite Lake is a protected lake with public lakeshore access and swimming allowed alongside boating and fishing activities.

Watendlath Tarn

Watendlath Tarn is a National Trust mountain tarn in Borrowdale, reached by a single-track road and surrounded by Lake District fells.

Esk Falls

A waterfall on the River Esk with a small plunge pool reached by a narrow path and steep rocky descent.

Ritson's Force

A series of waterfalls and plunge pools on Mosedale Beck near Wasdale Head.

Silecroft

Designated coastal bathing water at Silecroft, with water quality classified as Excellent.

Windermere, Lakeside YMCA

Designated bathing water on Windermere beside YMCA Lakeside on the lake’s south-west shore.

Windermere, Rayrigg Meadow

A public lake-shore swimming area with jetties and an accessible path at Rayrigg Meadow on Windermere.

Coniston Water, Brown Howe

Designated bathing water on Coniston Water, with public swimming and water-quality monitoring during the bathing-water season.

Coniston Boating Centre

Public swimming is allowed from Coniston Boating Centre on the shore of designated bathing water Coniston Water.

Monk Coniston

Public wild swimming on the northern shore of Coniston Water at a designated bathing-water site.

Derwent Water at Crow Park

A publicly accessible lakeshore swimming spot at Crow Park on Derwent Water beside Keswick.

Windermere

Windermere is a large lake where public swimming is allowed, with boats using the water.

Brotherswater

Brotherswater is a small lake south of Ullswater, with a footpath around much of its wooded shoreline.

Black Moss Pot

A deep rock pool on Langstrath Beck, with a narrow gorge, steep rock sides and a small waterfall.

Small Water

Small Water is a small lake near Shap in the Lake District where visitors may swim.

Blea Water

Blea Water is a remote, deep corrie lake east of High Street in the Lake District.

Blea Tarn

Blea Tarn is a small lake in the Langdale valley within the Lake District National Park.

Easedale Tarn

Mountain tarn in a glacial bowl above Easedale Valley, reached on foot from Grasmere beside Sourmilk Gill.

Hard Tarn

A remote, high mountain tarn above Ruthwaite Cove, reached by a steep pathless ascent from Grizedale.

Grisedale Tarn

Mountain tarn between Fairfield and Dollywaggon Pike, reached by a footpath from Patterdale along Grisedale Beck.

Floutern Tarn

A small, high tarn below Great Borne, reached on foot via Floutern Pass between Ennerdale and Buttermere.

Bleaberry Tarn

Small natural mountain tarn below Red Pike and High Stile, reached by a steep walk from Buttermere village.

Dalehead Tarn

Dalehead Tarn is a small mountain tarn below Dale Head, north of Honister Pass in the Lake District.

Tarn at Leaves

A shallow, reedy tarn in a hollow between the two high points of Rosthwaite Fell.

Styhead Tarn

High mountain tarn near Sty Head on the route between Borrowdale and Wasdale.

Low Water

A high-altitude tarn below Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man, reached on foot from Coniston.

Goat's Water

Goat's Water is a small tarn between Dow Crag and the Old Man of Coniston in the Lake District National Park.

Beacon Tarn

Beacon Tarn is a small upland tarn below Beacon Fell, reached by foot and used for wild swimming.

Alcock Tarn

Alcock Tarn is a small upland tarn near Grasmere, reached by a steep footpath in the Lake District.

Bowscale Tarn

Bowscale Tarn is a remote corrie lake below Bowscale Fell, reached by a public bridleway from the Mungrisdale–Mosedale road.

Scales Tarn

Scales Tarn is a mountain tarn in a glacial amphitheatre below Blencathra, reached by walking routes from Scales or Threlkeld.

Harrop Tarn

A small freshwater tarn in Wythburn Forest, west of Thirlmere, with access from nearby car parks.

Potter Tarn

Potter Tarn is a reservoir and tarn in Potter Fell, near Strickland Roger, where outdoor swimming is described.

Wood Moss Tarn

A small tarn in Grizedale Forest near Satterthwaite where general Lake District guidance permits swimming.

Kemp Tarn

Kemp Tarn is a small tarn near Ings in the Lake District National Park where open-water swimming is permitted.

Roundsea Tarn

Small tarn near Roudsea, in the Lake District National Park, where general national park swimming guidance applies.

Scandale Tarn

Small tarn near Scandale Pass in the eastern Lake District, reached by fell paths and suitable for an unstaffed open-water dip.

Lang How Tarn

A small tarn near Lang How in the Lake District National Park, reached on fell walking routes near Elterwater.

Burnmoor Tarn

Remote natural tarn in Eskdale Moor, reached by fell paths and flowing into the River Esk.

Angle Tarn

Remote high-altitude tarn in the Lake District National Park with several shore entry points described for wild swimming.

Lanty Tarn

Lanty's Tarn is a small tarn above Glenridding in the Lake District National Park where visitors may swim.

Elter Water

Elter Water is a lake with public access to a small shingle beach on its eastern shore.

Cubby's Tarn

Cubby's Tarn is a tarn in Grizedale Forest, within the Lake District near Satterthwaite.

Lingmoor Tarn

A small isolated mountain tarn on Lingmoor Fell, about 200 metres long, with rocky shores, heather and several small islands.

High Dam

High Dam is a public-access tarn near Finsthwaite with paths around the shore and opportunities for swimming.

Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows is a man-made tarn in the Lake District National Park, reached by a circular walking route from the main car park.

Red Tarn

Red Tarn is a high mountain tarn below Helvellyn's Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, reached by paths from Glenridding.

Muncaster Tarn

A small tarn on Muncaster Fell near Ravenglass, reached by walking routes through woodland and open fell.

Cogra Moss

Cogra Moss is a shallow reservoir east of Lamplugh, surrounded by forest and accessed by paths from Felldyke.

Sprinkling Tarn

An upland tarn below Great End, reached on foot from Seathwaite or Seatoller in Borrowdale.

Middlerigg Tarn

Small private lake in the Lake District National Park near Troutbeck Bridge, with public swimming generally permitted in most tarns.

Wast Water

Wast Water is a remote, deep lake where public swimming is allowed in the Lake District National Park.

Little Langdale Tarn

Little Langdale Tarn is a small freshwater lake in Little Langdale, accessed by footpaths and used for wild swimming.

Devoke Water

Remote upland tarn in the Lake District National Park, reached by a bridle track across open moorland.

Whorneyside Force

Whorneyside Force is a waterfall with a clear plunge pool in the Langdale Valley.

Gibson's Spout

A small waterfall near Bootle, reached by a bridleway from a roadside parking place.

St Annes

St Annes North

Blackpool Central

Bispham

Cleveleys

Fleetwood

Morecambe South

Morecambe North

River Ribble at Edisford Bridge

Wyresdale Lake

Private lake swimming is available by booking, with Monday and Friday morning sessions.

Stoney Cove

Former granite quarry with a 1000-metre swimming course and deep, cold water.

Mablethorpe Town

Anderby

Skegness

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is a natural freshwater loch where swimming is permitted.

Loch Chon

Loch Chon is a natural loch used for open-water swimming.

Falls of Falloch

Falls of Falloch is a roadside waterfall on the River Falloch with a natural pool below the falls.

Loch Ard

Loch Ard is a sheltered freshwater loch near Aberfoyle where open-water swimming is possible.

Loch Venachar

A freshwater loch between Callander and Brig o’ Turk where wild swimming and open-water swimming take place.

Milarrochy Bay

Milarrochy Bay on East Loch Lomond is a popular open-water swimming site.

Loch Lubnaig

Loch Lubnaig is freshwater between Ben Ledi, Benvane and Ben Vorlich, with access for paddlers and swimmers.

Lake of Menteith

Lake of Menteith is a freshwater lake with east-side access for open-water swimmers.

Serpentine Lido

Mixed Bathing Pond

Kenwood Ladies Bathing Pond

Men's Bathing Pond

Ham and Kingston, River Thames

West Kirby

Meols

Moreton

Wallasey

New Brighton Beach East

Formby

Ainsdale

Queen's Dock

Liverpool Watersports Centre runs bookable open-water swimming sessions in Queen's Dock.

Family Beach

Calshot

Calshot Beach

Calshot is a shingle beach with a designated bathing water and a council-managed safe swimming area.

Wells-next-the-Sea Beach

Heacham

Hunstanton Main Beach

Hunstanton (Old Hunstanton)

Sheringham

West Runton

East Runton

Cromer

Mundesley

Sea Palling

Hemsby

Caister Point

Great Yarmouth North

Great Yarmouth Pier

Gorleston Beach

Hunstanton Beach

Hunstanton Beach is a public sea bathing beach with summer beach patrols and seasonal dog restrictions.

Lynford Water

Forestry England site with flooded gravel pits, sandy beach and acknowledged open-water swimming.

Runswick Bay

Scaling Dam Reservoir

Scheduled open-water swimming takes place at Scaling Dam Reservoir every Tuesday evening.