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.
Latest News
Posted by our members and promoted on social media, you can keep in touch with these messages by interacting with our facebook and twitter.
Walking the Yoredale way?
Make sure your final steps lead you to the comfort of Kirkby Stephen Hostel.
Great dooking spots a stroll away from the Lodge and more in the local hills.
Close to Cleikum Mill Lodge in Innerleithen where the Cuddy meets the Tweed there is a lush oasis for wild swimming with channels and paddling areas, surrounded by ancient Scots Pine trees. Alternativly the Cuddy Brig on the River Leithen provides a pool beneath the historic bridge, where people swim.
Wild Swimming in the River Dee
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.
Three Superb Wild Swimming Spots Near the Remote 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.
Come camping where you can leave your tent at home and enjoy the silence.
Downham Camping Barn, set in the brooding shadow of Pendle in the Trough of Bowland Area of Outstanding Beauty, welcomes first timers and old timers to breath deep and immerse yourself in nature. Take a break from the digi age and get back to basics while the sun shines in this unlikely extended South Pennine summer.
Convenient bike and passenger transport directly from the Hebridean Way.
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.
Affordable Fun for a Family of Four
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.
Stay, Swim, and Explore from 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.
The Yomp Mountain Challenge weekend 2026!!
Don’t leave it too late, book your beds now for your next challenge of 2026 at Kirkby Stephen Hostel!
Wild Swimming at Seahouses
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.
Whether you’d like to take a dip or a swim, we have two fabulous wild swimming spots for you!
All my wild swimming opportunities have been in Wales! There are many wild swimming gems hidden in pool rivers, lakes; enchanting places bringing you that sense of enjoyment and contentment as you glide through the water immersed in the sounds & views of nature.
Wild Swimming in South West Wales.
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.
Royal Visit Alert
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.
Take a Dip While at the 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.
Hathersage Heritage Heated Open Air Swimming Pool on the Doorstep!!!
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! 💙
The Shackleton Trio and Adam Clark – Live Music Gig – Saturday 19th July
We look forward to welcoming back Norfolk’s premier folk trio return for a sparkling evening of original and traditional folk music in the Brick Barn. – www.deepdalemusic.co.uk
Wild Swimming your thing?
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.
Wild Swimming in Hebden Water
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.
Wild Swim in the Yorkshire Dales
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!