Sian Lewis shares her favourite wild swimming spots in the UK

A pot, in case you’re wondering, is a local Lake District name for a natural, freshwater plunge pool. My favourite is Black Moss Pot, where you can join the locals by taking a leap of faith off stone cliffs into the depths, or just lie on your back and float in the cold water.

Mermaids will feel right at home in the limpid water of this glorious Cornish cove. There’s a reason there are a myriad of paintings of this fairytale place where rock stacks meet the sea – come early in the morning and you might have it all to yourself. At low tide, scramble over rocks to seek out the hidden mermaid pool.

This dreamy deep lagoon of crystal-clear water in the river Dart has a shady grove next to it perfect for picnics. A great spot for a refreshing morning swim after a night of wild camping.

Leap off one of the natural stone steps into the deep water of this coastal quarry for an adrenaline rush. Wear a wetsuit, as the water here is always ice-cold. As you paddle, marvel at the fact that this was formerly home to international cliff diving championships, with divers leaping from the very top.

This lovely meadow on the banks of the River Frome is a good spot for beginners, as you can get into the water slowly via a ladder and have a quiet paddle before you try jumping off various platforms or swimming upriver – keep an eye out for kingfishers in summer. You’ll need to become a member of the club to dip here for £12/year, but it’s well worth it.

Popular with picnickers on sunny summer days, these pretty pools and waterfalls cascading under two packhorse bridges are still worth seeking out for a plunge or a paddle even when they’re busy, but you may have them all to yourself if you venture here in spring or autumn. A nice spot for families.

Reachable only at low tide or via a stiff scramble from the cliffs of Wales’ green Gower Peninsula, this gem-like tidal pool (legend has it it’s bottomless) is surrounded by tall rocks and perfect for a peaceful float before you have a swim in the choppier sea.

You may have heard of the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye – crystal-clear mountain pools which are magical to swim in but often thronged with tourists. Visit early in the morning for a quieter dip, or even better, seek out the island’s Torrin Pools instead – these cold, waterfall-fed plunge pools have an epic mountain backdrop and far fewer visitors.

Follow the path of a winding river to reach the deep, clear emerald-green waters of Tongue Pot in the remote Eskdale Valley. On the way back from this glorious spot you'll also find Kail Pot, smaller and shallower swim site but still a lovely place for a swim or for little ones to paddle.

Buckstones Jum (or Jump, depending on which map you're looking at) is a deep waterfall-fed pool perfect for a cooling dip. Below the main pool are a necklace of little pots to play in, all with views back down to glittering Rydal Water. Walk back via Rydal Mount, once home to William Wordsworth, where there's a laid-back garden tearoom ideal for warming up with coffee and cake.

Sian Lewis is the author of The Girl Outdoors – a great site for anyone who loves adventures. Her new book, Swimming Wild in the South West, is out in May 2026.