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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.
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.
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.
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.
Don’t leave it too late, book your beds now for your next challenge of 2026 at Kirkby Stephen Hostel!
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.
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.
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.
North Yorkshire offers a diverse range of attractions, from stunning coastal towns and picturesque villages to historic sites and natural beauty. We offer our top picks in our latest blog.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
Book your stay at Great Langdale Bunkhouse in the beautiful Lake District and dive into some of the best wild swimming spots around. Whether you prefer the serene Blea Tarn, the stunning Loughrigg Tarn, or the refreshing Whorneyside Force, there’s something for every swimmer. For the more adventurous, Tongue Pot in Eskdale offers a scenic drive and walk for an unforgettable swim.
With so many incredible options nearby, why not book for a few days and explore them all? 🏞️💦
This gem of a hostel in the Yorkshire Dales, nestling among the Three Peaks, boasts a clear, cool refreshing open air pool right outside. What more could you ask for? Stay a few days and swim, walk and cycle to your heart’s content. Or you may prefer to just rest, relax and recharge amid the stunning scenery to the rythmic splash of fellow swimmers.
A short stroll from Youlgreave Hostel will take you to Bradford Dale and an enchanting safe wild swimming spot. Looking like a purpose built swimming pool in this picturesque Derbyshire dale, it was built by the local farmers in former times to dip thier sheep in. No longer used for sheep, the clear waters within the stone surrounds provide a wonderfully safe place for wild swimmers. The water is normally around 70cm deep depending on rainfall.
There is a great place for wild swimming near the Roaches Bunkhouse. Three Shires Head has several pools joined by small waterfalls and surrounded by amazing landscape and views. This setting is at the point where Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire meet. Nearby Roaches Bunkhouse provides group accommodation in 2 self contained lodges, sleeping 9 & 25. These can be booked separately or interconnected for sole use bookings.
Landacre Bridge on the River Barle in Exmoor is a popular spot for wild swimming. The historic medieval bridge offers a picturesque location for a refreshing dip in the river. You can find deeper pools and small beaches nearby, making it suitable for swimming and enjoying the natural surroundings. The nearby Blindwell Bunkhouse is perfect for nature lovers, families and groups of friends.
