I absolutely love swimming – and having lived in Yorkshire for most of the last decade, I’ve found quite a few wonderful swim spots around me. There are plenty of fantastic beaches along the Yorkshire coast for swimming. But Yorkshire also has plenty of less-visited rivers, waterfalls, and lakes for wild swimming, too.
What is Wild Swimming?
Wild swimming is defined as swimming outdoors in a natural pool of water, as opposed to a man-made pool. As a Minnesotan who grew up swimming around the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I don’t really consider “wild swimming” any different to “normal” swimming. By the standard definition, most of my swims across the course of my life have been “wild.” So, it feels a little strange to be writing a post about “wild” swimming when that’s really just “swimming” for me! However, for the sake of keywords and SEO, here we are. I personally consider “wild” swimming in the UK to be swimming somewhere outdoors without a lifeguard present. However you define wild swimming, the main principle is that is takes places outdoors in natural water.
Important Safety Information for Wild Swimming
I learned to swim as a young kid during swimming lessons, and I consider myself a strong and confident swimmer. I’m also an experienced cold-water swimmer (or dipper, ha). Swimming, particularly in the outdoors with no lifeguards present, can be extremely dangerous. Just this last year, there were sadly a number of fatalities of swimmers in Yorkshire. No swim is worth your life. Here are a few important safety tips for wild swimming:
- Avoid swimming solo. I swim by myself all the time, but I am an experienced and confident swimmer – I know my limits, and I am very adept at keeping myself safe while swimming. If you are a beginner, or not a confident swimmer, do not swim alone.
- Check the water quality beforehand. If the water has algae on top, is stagnant, or looks murky, it likely isn’t very clean. There are some websites where you can check water quality for rivers online.
- Don’t trespass on private land. Read this excellent article by Wild Swimming for more information.
- Be careful of the current/rips. Currents in rivers can be deceivingly strong, and can turn dangerous or deadly very quickly. Same goes for rips. Always be aware of the current, and avoid swimming close to a waterfall where you could get sucked under.
- Never jump in, always walk in. Cold water shock is real, and can be deadly. Always walk into water when wild swimming – even on hot days, the water temperature can still be very cool and you risk cold water shock. Never jump in unless you can accurately measure the depth of the water.
- Stay close to the shore and plan your exit. Avoid swimming out into open water, where currents can be much stronger and you’ll need to spend more time in the water to swim back. Always plan how you will get out, as some spots are slippery – it may be easy to get in, but very challenging to get out.
- Wear appropriate gear. I always wear water shoes when swimming, as they protect my feet from getting cut on rocks, shells, or anything else that may be submerged in the water. For cold water swims, wetsuit socks/gloves are hugely beneficial, as it a hat to conserve body heat. A tow float is also an important piece of kit for swimming, as are goggles. If you wear contact lenses, opticians recommend removing your lenses before swimming to avoid infections.
- Keep cold-water swims short. If you feel cold, you’ve been in too long. I swim in lots of cold water, and my trick is to take several short dips (sometimes less than 1 minute). It’s better to be conservative than end up in trouble. Don’t risk hypothermia, and know your limits. Warm up immediately afterwards by changing into warm clothes.
Planning Your Trip to Yorkshire
Most of the best wild swimming spots in Yorkshire are in the Yorkshire Dales, with a few in the North York Moors and along the Yorkshire Coast. The most convenient airport to fly into is Leeds-Bradford, although Manchester will have far more flight options. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Some of these spots will involve a hike – I use the OS Maps app for every walk I do in the UK. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
One way to plan your wild swimming trip is to base yourself somewhere central, like York, and make day trips out to these destinations. I’ve visited all of these places for the day from York! If you want to stay overnight in York, I’d recommend the following places:
- Budget: Safestay York or the Fort Boutique Hostel
- Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
- Luxury: The Grand
Where to Go Wild Swimming in Yorkshire
Beaches in Yorkshire
For beautiful sandy beaches, you can’t beat the Yorkshire Coast. Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Whitby, and Filey are some of my favorites. Although these beaches aren’t technically “wild” swimming, they are glorious. All of these beaches have RNLI lifeguards in season. For a coastal “wild” swimming experience, head to Little Thornton Bay near Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire. There is a steep path down to the bay, but the water is fairly calm. There are no lifeguards here.
Pool Bridge Farm
This wild-swimming destination is located just outside of York. There are four different lakes for swimming here, each with their own character and several access points. M Lake has five wood-fired saunas – I treated myself to a sauna session in October and it was fantastic! Swim sessions, swim/sauna sessions, and events need to be pre-booked prior to arrival.
Thomasson Force
Thomasson Force is just outside the village of Beck Hole in the North York Moors National Park, not far from Goathland. The pool at the waterfall is a nice spot for a dip. It’s a short 10-minute walk from Beck Hole, and on warm days in the summer it’s likely you’ll be sharing the space with others.
Aysgarth Falls
Aysgarth Falls is comprised of three different sets of waterfalls: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Upper Falls is a popular spot for wild swimming, and is easily accessible from the car park. It’s also possible to swim at the Lower Falls. Only swim when the water levels are low, and check the current before getting in. In the first photo, the river levels were extremely low and there was barely any water to swim! The last time I came here (second photo), the River Ure was rushing after recent rainfall and it was not safe for swimming of any kind.
River Wharfe: Burnsall and Grassington
There are a number of spots on the River Wharfe around Burnsall and Grassington that are perfect for swimming. There is a large grassy riverbank in Burnsall that is very popular, or experienced swimmers can carry along the river to Loup Scar, a gorge with a plunge pool. Near Grassington, you can dip around Grassington Weir.
Janet’s Foss
Janet’s Foss is a waterfall just outside the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales. This is a common swim spot, as the circular walk around Malham to Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Cove is one of the most popular in the Dales. As the legend goes, the queen of the fairies, Janet, supposedly lived in the cave behind the waterfall.
Cotter Force
This waterfall in Wensleydale is a lovely spot for a wild swim. It’s just outside of Hawes and Hardraw, and a short 5-minute walk from a small parking layby to the waterfall. I really enjoyed my swim here after a long day of hiking up Great Shunner Fell!
Catrigg Force
Catrigg Force is close to the village of Stainforth in the Yorkshire Dales. You’ll hike down to the gorge, where the water rushes down into a plunge pool. I haven’t actually swum here myself, but know many people who have had a dip here! (There are people swimming here in this photo.)
Cauldron Falls
Located in the charming village of West Burton, Cauldron Falls (also sometimes called West Burton Falls) is a superb spot for a wild swim in Yorkshire. You can access the waterfall from either side of the river (there is a pretty stone bridge across the water). Be aware of the current here, especially if the water is in full flow.
Kisdon Force
The tiny village of Keld in Swaledale has a number of waterfalls that make it a prime location for wild swimming in Yorkshire. Kisdon Force is accessed by a very steep and slippery path down to the riverbank, which includes using a rope. Take extreme care when going down to the river. There is a signpost with an arrow on the Pennine Way at the junction where you’ll head down to the waterfall.
East Gill Force
This waterfall is the closest to Keld, just a few minutes from the informal parking at Rukin’s Campsite. It’s easy to get into the water, and there is a small plunge pool here. Due to its easy access – it’s on both the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast long-distance trails – there are usually people at East Gill Force. If you swim here, be prepared for an audience!
Wain Wath Force
Another gorgeous spot near Keld, Wain Wath Force is a wide waterfall on the River Swale. It’s accessed from the B6270 road, and there is no parking nearby – you’ll need to walk along the road from Keld. It’s a popular spot in summer, as there is a long stretch of riverbank.
River Swale: Muker
Muker is one of my favorite places in the Yorkshire Dales – a quaint village with pretty stone cottages. Head through the Muker Meadows, which come to life in the early summer with wildflowers, to the River Swale. There is a nice stretch of the River Swale near Ramps Holme Bridge (just south of the above photo) that is perfect for a dip.
Yorkshire is a perfect destination for outdoor adventures, including wild swimming. It’s always important to keep safety tips in mind when swimming (anywhere, wild or not). And there are a few swimming spots I didn’t include in this post, as I don’t consider them very good/reliable for swimming safely. But overall, you’ll be spoiled for choice with spots for wild swimming in Yorkshire. I hope this post helps plan your wild swimming adventures in Yorkshire!
Have you been wild swimming in Yorkshire? Where are your favorite places?
You might also like my posts:
The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales
21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors
The Best Places to Visit on the Yorkshire Coast
The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 99 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire
All of my Yorkshire posts!
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