Best Wild Swim Spots in Arnside

Arnside is less than an hour away from some of the best wild swim spots in Lakeland, from coastal dips to wide open lake swims…

  • Coniston Water

Less than an hour away from Arnside, Coniston Water sits below the craggy tops of the Old Man of Coniston, providing an impressive swim spot with a mountain backdrop. Coniston Water is a stunning five-mile long lake with plenty of space for a scenic open water swim amongst fell-sides and forests. There are a number of access points and jetties along the pebbled shoreline making this an easily accessible lake for a dip. Peel Island sits on the water around 100m away and is a great destination to head for and explore. Coniston Water is a popular spot for boat trips and water sports so make sure you keep an eye out and don’t get to close to the Coniston Launch or Steam Yacht. Wearing a colourful tow float is advisable on busy lakes.

  •  Windermere Lake

The longest natural lake in England, Windermere has plenty of space to enjoy a large, open water swim. The lake has many access points and jetties along it’s shores with the closest to Arnside being Lakeside around 30 minutes drive from the village. The ribbon lake has 19 islands you can take a swim too, although Belle Island is private. It is advisable to stick to the west bank of the lake when swimming to avoid the boats, which are usually busy on the east side. Swimming with a colourful tow float is advisable in Windermere due to the amount of boat activity on the lake. The lake is also accessible from Fell Foot Park, with open water swimming group SleekerSwim operating from Fell Foot providing swimming techniques and open water courses since 2005.

  • Bardsea Beach

Bardsea Beach is a wide expanse of shingle and sand beach overlooking Morecambe Bay. The coast road between Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness runs alongside parts of the beach, making it easily accessible with plenty of free parking spots. The beach is quite exposed making it susceptible to cold, windy conditions and strong currents; so wild swimming is only recommended on calm days for advanced swimmers who are familiar with sea swimming.