Fancy a dip? Discover some of my favourite places for wild swimming around Windermere, Rydal Water and Coniston.
Fancy trying wild swimming in the Lake District?
A guest recently asked me where I'd recommend for wild swimming near Windermere Stays. It's a question we're asked from time to time, so I thought I'd share some of my suggestions here too.
I do a bit of wild swimming, but I'm not very adventurous and mainly stick to Windermere!
I should start by saying I'm definitely not an adventurous wild swimmer! I enjoy a dip, but I mainly stick to Lake Windermere and places where I know there's relatively straightforward access.
That's actually one of the joys of staying in the South Lakes. You don't need to hike for miles in search of a remote tarn to experience open-water swimming. We have some lovely places within easy reach of Windermere Stays, from Lake Windermere itself to Rydal Water and Coniston.
Here are a few I'd suggest.
If you're new to wild swimming or simply want somewhere convenient, Fell Foot at the southern end of Lake Windermere would probably be my first suggestion.
It's only around a 10-minute drive from Windermere Stays, and many guests will pass it on their way to us.
There's easy access to the lake and plenty of space to enjoy the water. The National Trust's Active Base also has changing facilities, showers and lockers, with day passes available, which is particularly welcome when you've just emerged from a chilly Windermere!
And, possibly just as importantly, there's the Boathouse Café for coffee, cake or lunch afterwards.
If swimming isn't for you, Fell Foot is still well worth a visit. You can walk along the lakeshore, have a picnic or hire a paddleboard, kayak or rowing boat from Stoked Watersports. Windermere Stays guests also receive a discount with Stoked Watersports, with details waiting in your accommodation folder when you arrive.
My tip: Take a flask or grab a coffee afterwards and simply sit by the lake for a while. There's no need to rush away.
If you'd prefer to stay closer to Windermere and Bowness, another option I suggest to guests is the Millerground/Rayrigg Meadow area, off Rayrigg Road.
It's handy if you're already spending the day around Windermere or Bowness and want to combine sightseeing with a swim.
That's one of the things I love about swimming in Windermere – it doesn't necessarily have to become a whole day's expedition. You can have a dip and still have plenty of time for lunch, a walk or a wander around Bowness afterwards.
For something a little different, head north towards Ambleside and Rydal Water.
It's a much smaller and shallower lake than Windermere, so in summer I often find the water feels a little more inviting.
But I'd recommend Rydal for another reason too: you can turn your swim into a lovely half-day out.
Park around White Moss, walk down towards Rydal Water and, before or after your swim, follow the paths towards Rydal Cave. The combination of woodland, lake and fell scenery makes this one of my favourite areas for a relatively gentle Lake District walk.
If you're already planning to do the Rydal Caves walk, packing your swimming things gives you the option of adding a dip along the way.
My tip: Don't rush straight back to the car afterwards. Take a flask and something to eat and enjoy the surroundings for a while.
Another place worth considering is High Dam, near Lakeside.
It's tucked away in woodland above the village and feels very different from swimming in the much larger Lake Windermere.
You need to walk to reach it, which is part of the appeal. Once you're there, it feels much more secluded and peaceful.
If you enjoy combining walking and swimming, this is one to add to your list.
You could easily make a South Lakes day of it too, combining High Dam with nearby Lakeside, Fell Foot or a trip on the lake.
If you're exploring a little further afield, I've also swum at Brown Howe on Coniston Water.
One of the reasons I liked it was the gently sloping access into the water. I much prefer being able to walk gradually into a lake rather than having to launch myself off something!
Coniston itself makes a wonderful day out, so you could combine a swim with a lakeside walk, lunch or a visit to the village.
And that's probably my kind of wild swimming day – a swim followed by good coffee and something to eat!
This is the important bit.
Open-water swimming is very different from swimming in a pool. Even on a warm summer's day, lake water can be surprisingly cold and conditions can change quickly.
If you're new to it, please take some time to read proper open-water swimming safety advice before setting off. The National Trust also asks visitors at Fell Foot to read the water-safety information displayed on site and notes that changing lake levels can make conditions more challenging.
I'd particularly recommend looking at guidance from experienced open-water swimming organisations such as Swim the Lakes.
Never feel you have to swim simply because you've planned to. If the conditions don't look or feel right, save it for another day.
And remember that Lake Windermere is used by boats and other water users, so being visible and aware of your surroundings is particularly important.
You certainly don't have to get in Lake Windermere to enjoy it.
At nearby Fell Foot you could hire a paddleboard or kayak from Stoked Watersports instead, while a Lake Windermere cruise from Bowness is a rather more leisurely way to get out on the water.
Or simply find a lakeside bench, order a coffee and enjoy the view. Sometimes that's every bit as good!
One of the things guests appreciate about staying at Windermere Stays is being close to so many of these places without having to stay amongst the hustle and bustle of the main tourist towns.
Both Fellside Studio and Larchside Apartment offer peaceful, comfortable accommodation in our rural location, while Bowness-on-Windermere is around a 10-minute drive away and Fell Foot is similarly close.
And after swimming, walking and exploring all day, you can return, make yourself a drink and head to our shared garden for panoramic views across Lake Windermere.
Although if you've already been swimming in it, you might be quite happy just to admire it by then!
