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The Hostel at Hawes (YHA Hawes) provides private rooms in a range of sizes, along with a drying room, self-catering kitchen, dining room, and a comfortable lounge with a bar. If you’re not in the mood to cook, you can book breakfast and evening meals, or head out to enjoy the pubs and restaurants of Hawes.
North Yorkshire offers a rich variety of attractions — from stunning coastal towns and picturesque villages to historic landmarks and breathtaking natural scenery. Nestled in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, Cote Ghyll Mill provides luxury family rooms featuring a mix of double and single beds, ideal for families of all sizes. The Mill is spacious and welcoming, with breakfast included and delicious meals available. Set within large grounds complete with a stream and woodland, it’s perfect for paddling and exploring. Surrounded by idyllic countryside, the Mill also offers easy access to scenic walking and cycling trails.
At the northern end of the scenic Yoredale Way- stretching from York to Kirkby Stephen. Kirkby Stephen Hostel is the perfect place to rest, recharge and celebrate finishing this stunning 73 mile journey. We have comfy beds, hot showers, self catering kitchen, drying rooms and secure kit storage. Book a stay and finish/start your Yoredale adventure the right way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
