Discover Wild Swimming in the Lake District
Discover some of the best wild swimming in the Lake District on this fully guided, sociable two-night break based on the shores of Windermere. With a lakeside cottage at Brathay Trust, beach access just a short walking distance away, and expert local guides, this relaxed weekend offers the perfect introduction to swimming in lakes, rivers, and quiet natural pools.
Ideal for confident beginners and regular wild swimmers alike, this friendly short break combines great swimming, warm evenings back at the cottage, and the chance to explore the Lake District’s varied waters with a supportive group.
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Cottage
Transport: Car-Free Experience
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: You’ll need to be a confident swimmer, but outdoor swimming experience is not required
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Pricing & Accommodation: From £345 per person. Shared rooms and twin rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Is this trip right for me?
Most people on our trips come on their own
Groups are small, friendly and fully guided
Walking is at a steady pace with regular breaks
There’s no pressure to be super fit or super chatty
If you’re new to Large Outdoors or unsure whether this trip suits you, our Start here page explains how our walking and wild swimming trips work and what it’s really like to join.
Find out more before booking:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/new-to-large-outdoors-start-here
If you’d prefer to ask a question first, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Booking Calendar…
Go wild swimming in the Lake District’s finest waterways…
Explore the wild waters of the Lake District with expert guidance and a sociable stay at a private cottage set within the grounds of Brathay Trust, right on the edge of Windermere. With direct access to the lakeshore only a few hundred metres away, this is an ideal base for relaxed evening swims, early morning dips, and unhurried days exploring some of the region’s best wild swimming locations.
This weekend is designed for anyone keen to discover wild swimming or build confidence in new locations. Whether you’re trying cold water swimming for the first time or already enjoy regular dips, you’ll be supported by experienced Large Outdoors swim guides who focus on safety, good practice, and helping everyone enjoy the experience at their own pace.
Across the weekend we’ll visit a mix of lakes, rivers, and quiet pools, chosen to suit the group and the conditions on the day. With the Lake District spoilt for choice, your guide will select locations that offer calm water, easy access, and beautiful surroundings, making each swim relaxed and rewarding.
Back at the cottage, evenings are warm and sociable, with shared meals, time to unwind, and plenty of chat about the day’s swims. Many people join on their own, and the friendly Large Outdoors atmosphere makes it easy to settle in, make new friends, and enjoy the weekend together.
This is a car-free friendly trip, with a free station collection from Windermere making it easy to join without bringing a car.
Why Wild Swim in the Lake District?
The Lake District is one of the UK’s most popular areas for wild swimming. Long shoreline swims, sheltered bays, quiet river pools, and clear open water make it an ideal place to enjoy cold water safely and comfortably.
Wild swimming here offers more than time in the water. It’s a chance to slow down, enjoy being outdoors, and experience the landscape from a different perspective. Cold water swimming is well known for its physical and mental benefits, helping improve mood, boost energy, and encourage better sleep.
With expert guidance, small groups, and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll have time to build confidence, try new swims, and enjoy the social side of swimming together.
Suggested Itinerary:
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!
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Arrive at the cottage from 17:00 onwards and settle into your lakeside base. Your Large Outdoors host will be there to welcome you, show you around, and help everyone get settled in.
For those arriving by train, we offer a free collection from Windermere Train Station at 15:30. Full details are provided below and this must be booked in advance.
Dinner will be prepared and enjoyed together in the cottage, followed by a relaxed evening getting to know the group and chatting through the plans for the weekend.
With the lake only a short walk away, there’s the option for a gentle evening dip for anyone keen to stretch their legs and enjoy the setting before settling in for the night.
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For the keen early risers, there’s the chance for an optional pre-breakfast skin dip from the nearby lakeshore, followed by hot showers and breakfast back at the cottage. If you’d rather enjoy a lie-in, that’s absolutely fine.
After breakfast, we head out to explore some of the Lake District’s best wild swimming locations. With so many options available, your guide will choose swims to suit the group and the conditions, selecting a mix of lakes, rivers, and quiet natural pools.
Throughout the day, our guides will cover safety, best practice, and cold water techniques, helping everyone feel confident and comfortable in the water. We’ll break for lunch and continue exploring through the afternoon.
Back at the cottage later in the day, there’s time to warm up, shower, relax, and enjoy another shared dinner together in the evening.
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After breakfast, we pack up and leave the cottage, then head out for one final swim in the morning. It’s a great chance to revisit a favourite spot or try somewhere new, depending on the group and the conditions.
We’ll finish with time for a café stop before returning to Windermere Train Station for drop-off between 14:00 and 16:00.
Everyone heads home refreshed, relaxed, and with plenty of new swimming ideas to take away.
Wetsuit & Kit List
Please see our Wild Swimming Kit List.
Wetsuit Advice:
We strongly recommend bringing and wearing a wetsuit for all our wild swimming trips. While skin dipping is always an option, the nature of our trips – with multiple swims each day – means that without a wetsuit, your body temperature may drop over time, and you could miss out on swims as the day goes on.
A wetsuit helps you stay warmer for longer, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience. It also offers protection from jellyfish, barnacles, and sharp rocks, plus added buoyancy and comfort in colder water.
Ultimately, the decision is yours – but please be aware that in some remote locations, our guides may deem it unsafe for you to take part in a swim if you're not adequately equipped.
Essential Information
Activity
Duration: Two nights, three days
Activity: Wild Swimming
Group Size: 8
Age: 18+
Dogs: No Dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Transportation:
Car-free Experience: Free pick-ups from local train stations, or make your own way to the accommodation. All transport during the trip is included.
Pickups - must be booked in advance.
Free collection from Windermere Train Station at 15:30.
Notes: If you've travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket) to allow for flexibility.
Timings:
Check-in from: 17:00
Train Station Collection: Windermere Train Station at 15:30
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 14:00 - 16:00.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location or station pick-up.
Any extras, excursions, or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Any food, drinks, or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurants, pubs, or cafés visited.
Swimming Ability & Fitness
Although you will need to be able to swim, you do not need to be long-distance swimmer by any means.
We are not aiming to swim miles, instead enjoying a greater number of more leisurely swims where you can really take in the views and scenery and appreciate being immersed in the natural world. We will not be heading into open water.
Accommodation
Name & Address:
Hestead House
Brathay Hall
Clappersgate
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 0HP
Please note we are staying Hestead House a cottage in the grounds of the Brathay Trust.
Type: Cottage
Rooms Available: Twin Rooms, Shared Rooms
Beds: Please note all beds are bunk beds.
Bathrooms: Mix of en-suite and shared
Parking: Free Parking available at the accommodation.
Meals:
Breakfast - A continental breakfast is provided and this includes, cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt.
Packed Lunches - We provide a packed lunch for the Saturday swims, Sunday we will pop to a cafe post swim and this is not included.
Evening Meals - Group meal included in the venue.
Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee are provided.
Alcoholic Drinks - Not included. If you’d like a drink with dinner, please feel free to bring a bottle!
Vegetarian, vegan, and meals made from gluten-free ingredients can be provided. Please select the relevant options during checkout.
Kits List: Wild Swim Kit List
FAQ’s: Answers to our most common questions
Please note on this trip we do not supply dry robes, please ensure you have plenty of warm clothes with you.
Travel insurance: We recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, and injury and death.
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.
Booking Calendar!
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.