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Great value family holidays in North Yorkshire

       Cote Ghyll Mill

North Yorkshire offers a diverse range of attractions, from stunning coastal towns and picturesque villages to historic sites and natural beauty. Cote Ghyll Mill, located in the heart of the National Park, provides VisitEngland 4-star rated accommodation that is ideal for families. The private family rooms feature a combination of beds and bunks, making them suitable for families of all sizes. The hostel is spacious with a café and self-catering facilities. The large grounds include a stream and woodland—perfect for paddling and exploring. Nestled in idyllic countryside, the Mill is surrounded by picturesque trails for walking and cycling.

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family eating at cote ghyll mill

Wild Swimming in the River Dee

       Llangollen Hostel

The River Dee in Llangollen is a fantastic spot for wild swimming, with highlights including the Llangollen Rock Pools and the beautiful Horseshoe Falls. While swimming near Llangollen Bridge isn’t recommended, the Horseshoe Falls—just upstream near the weir—are absolutely glorious! After your refreshing dip, head back to the hostel and unwind in the cosy lounge by the log fire. We’ve got private rooms and great shared spaces, including a self-catering kitchen, book exchange, free WiFi, loads of games, laundry facilities, a drying room, and secure storage for bikes and canoes.

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Llangollen a start point for corwen walking festivals 1st sept walk

Three Superb Wild Swimming Spots Near the Remote Dolgoch Hostel

       Dolgoch Hostel

Wolf’s Leap – The most renowned of the three, this deep pool lies about 4 miles from Dolgoch along the Abergwesyn road. It features a striking narrow rock channel that leads to a picturesque waterfall — perfect for adventurous swimmers. Wash Pool – Located 8 miles away on the road to Llanwrtyd, this is a spacious, open pool with a waterfall at one end, offering a refreshing and scenic swim. Nant y Ffrwd – Around 4 miles towards Tregaron, near the iconic red phone box, this hidden gem offers a tranquil pool fed by a charming waterfall, ideal for a quiet dip.

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Nant y ffrwd wild swimming location in the cambrian mountains

Convenient bike and passenger transport directly from the Hebridean Way.

       Ravenspoint Hostel

If you are walking or cycling The Hebridean Way and are looking for affordable and comfortable accommodation between Scaladale and Stornoway, come and enjoy the highly rated facilities at Ravenspoint which include our self-service coffee and cake with a view, shop with post office, museum and archive. There are good public transport links to help you connect to the long-distance route. A bus (W9) runs daily to Ravenspoint (and the rest of Pairc) from South Lochs Turn (in Balallan on the Heb Way route) leaving at 14.40 and 18.25. These buses can take bikes and it’s only a 7-minute journey. 3 buses leave Ravenspoint each morning between 7am and 10am to rejoin the main Hebridean Way route.

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Ravenspoint Hostel on the Isle of Lewis

Affordable Fun for a Family of Four

       Bunkorama

So you cant agree on what to do this summer, is it hiking, climbing, mountain biking, paddle boarding or just an ice cream as you watch the donkies on the beach? A family of four can often have fifty different preferences and that used to make choosing a holiday a big challenge but not at Bunkorama Barmouth where all the options are on your doorstep. Outdoor activities such as walking and rock climbing are all around and Barmouth with its fun bucket and spade atmosphere is easily accessible. We can point you towards places to eat out, friends who will take you paddle boarding or even mountain biking or even the best choice for a narrow gauge steam railway.

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Stay, Swim, and Explore from Elterwater Hostel

       Elterwater Hostel

Nestled in the heart of the Lake District, Elterwater Hostel is the perfect base for anyone keen to explore the area’s stunning wild swimming spots. Just two minutes from our door, the crystal-clear waters of Great Langdale Beck offer a refreshing dip after a day on the fells. For those wanting to venture further, Stickle Tarn and Blea Tarn provide dramatic mountain backdrops for an unforgettable swim, while the gentle shores of Grasmere and Rydal Water promise scenic, more leisurely bathing.

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Wild Swimming at Seahouses

       The Hides

Seahouses Beach is an EU designated bathing beaches (one of 5 in Northumberland) and home to the Seahouses Wild Swimmers group. Located in Seahouses with an easy walk to St Aidan’s beach. The Hides provide affordable accommodation perfect for groups, families or independent travellers. Each Hide is an en-suite room sleeping 4 in beds & bunks. The rooms open onto a communal courtyard with access to the well equipped self-catering kitchen, equipment storage & drying room.

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Newton Beach ideal for wild swimming near The Hides

Wild Swimming in South West Wales.

       Gilfach Wen Barn

The closest site for wild swimming to Gilfach Wen Barn is a pool on the river Cothi which has the advantage of being easy to combine with a visit to the village pub. For the more adventurous, the walk to Llyn y Fan Fach, (Lake of the small Beacon hill) is often described as one of the most magical and breathtaking sights in all of Wales and enables you to swim at the site of one of the great folktales of Wales.

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Royal Visit Alert

       Campbeltown Backpackers

Today, King Charles III paid a visit to Campbeltown Backpackers, a community-owned hostel in the Independent Hostels UK network. His Majesty met with Alan Milstead, Chair of the Kintyre Amenity Trust. Located in beautiful Campbeltown, Argyll, this hostel is housed in a beautifully restored Grade B listed Old Schoolhouse, this cosy hostel sleeps 16 and is run by the Kintyre Amenity Trust charity. It’s a popular stop on the Kintyre Way, with easy access to Campbeltown’s local gems—cinemas, distilleries, and sea views included. With handmade bunks, a fully equipped kitchen, and even a secure cycle store, it’s full of thoughtful touches for walkers, cyclists, and lovers of the great outdoors.

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HRH King Charles Outside Cambelltown Backpackers showing Independent Hostels Sign

Take a Dip While at the Ludlow Mascall Centre

       Ludlow Mascall Centre

Ludlow locals have enjoyed swimming in the River Teme for many years, and in 2024, a stretch of the river was awarded Bathing Water Status by DEFRA. Walk due west from the Mascall Centre, through the heart of the medieval market town and around the castle to arrive at Millennium Green beach.

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river teme ludlow ideal for wild swimming

Hathersage Heritage Heated Open Air Swimming Pool on the Doorstep!!!

       Base Camp Hathersage (YHA Partner)

Love wild swimming or relaxing in a lido? 🏊‍♀️☀️

Stay at Base Camp Hathersage and you’re just a 9-minute stroll through the village to the iconic Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool – a must for lido lovers!

But that’s just the beginning… The Derbyshire Dales is full of idyllic swim spots, including:

🌀 Chatsworth Weir
🌿 Bradford Dale near Youlgreave
🌊 The Mermaid’s Pool near Hayfield – steeped in local legend
💦 The unique thermal waters of New Bath Hotel Lido in Matlock Bath

Whether you’re after a refreshing dip or a scenic swim, you’ll be spoilt for choice! 💙

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Open air heatead swimming pool at hathersage

Wild Swimming your thing?

       All Stretton Bunkhouse

The reservoir at Cardingmill Valley is close to All Stretton Bunkhouse. Want to go wild swimming in a lovely setting after a short walk in the hills? From the door of All Stretton Bunkhouse, you can walk up the Batch Valley, straight over Haddon Hill and drop down in to Cardingmill Valley. From there, it’s a short walk up the hill to the reservoir.

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Wild Swimming in Hebden Water

       Blakedean Scout Hostel

Blakedean Hostel is just a few minutes walk from the National Trusts Hardcastle Crags with self guided walks, orienteering, cream teas and wild swimming in Hebden water. Hebden Water is a popular location for wild swimming, particularly at Lumb Falls. The falls offer a series of cascading waterfalls creating natural pools perfect for a refreshing dip.

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lumb falls in Hebden Water

Wild Swim in the Yorkshire Dales

       Chapel Gallery Bunkhouse

Chapel Gallery Bunkhouse is perfectly placed to have a swim-holiday……with waterfalls, rivers and a natural lake all within a 10 minute drive of us. A 20 minute drive away you have the well known Swaledale waterfalls – Kisdon, Wainwath & Catrigg, and options for Redmire Falls. With an excellent drying room, great showers and underfloor heating – multiple swims or winter swims are a possibility!

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