Best Wild Swim Spots in Buttermere

Buttermere is a wild swimmers paradise, providing three quiet, tranquil lakes with little boat activity offering an undisturbed open water swim. The beachy shoreline also provides opportunity for a relaxed dip and lounge on the lakeside.

  • Buttermere

Buttermere lake is one of Cumbria’s smallest lakes, sitting quietly amongst the surrounding mountains of the High Stile range, Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks and Robinson. The towering fells provide the perfect mountain backdrop for a picturesque swim. The lake is 1.25 miles long, offering a fair distance for open water swims. The lake is easily accessible from its eastern point via Honister Pass.

  • Crummock Water

Located beside Buttermere, Crummock Water is a remote lake with little boat traffic. The two lakes were originally joined as one before historical glacial activity washed debris down from the surrounding hills creating the land now separating the water. A bonus for wild swimmers, creating two lakes to explore! Crummock water is 2.5 miles long providing opportunity for swimmers to stretch out and cover a bit of distance. The lakes deepest point is 42 metres making this a deep, cold-water swim for strong experienced swimmers. To reach the lake, a 4km hike is required, providing an ideal warm up to prepare for your swim!

  • Loweswater

One of the lesser-known of Buttermere’s three lakes, Loweswater is ideal for a quiet, private swim surrounded by the fells and woodland. A well-maintained footpath surrounds the lake offering a range of accessible spots and beachy areas to enter the water. Although many swimmers still enjoy the water, it is important to note some swimmers avoid Loweswater during the summer months due to the chance of blue green algae blooming in hot weather.

  • Bleaberry Tarn

An ultimate wild swimming spot high up above Buttermere within the mountains, Bleaberry Tarn is a small tarn sitting below Red Pike and High Stile. The path up to the tarn from Buttermere village is steep but beautiful and passes by Sourmilk Gill. Despite being up in the mountains, the small scale of the tarn makes it a warmer swimming spot.