For enthusiasts and newbies looking for wild swimming destinations, nowhere really comes close to the Lake District in Cumbria.

Wild swimming is a fantastic way to have a micro-adventure close to home. Even if the weather is rubbish, the benefits of cold-water immersion have been scientifically proven for many years.

Lakes, rivers and pools are abundant across Cumbria, but where are the hidden gems? The places best kept secret.

Well, now we can reveal them to you.

The 10 best natural swimming spots in the UK according to TikTok:

  1. Tongue Pot
  2. Blue Pool Bay
  3. Wasdale Fairy Pool
  4. Coniston Coppermines Waterfall
  5. Swgd Einion Gam
  6. Glencoe Waterfall
  7. Gairloch Beach
  8. Ashworth Valley Waterfall
  9. Three Shires Head
  10. Sharrah Pool

Tounge Pot, Lake District - 1,300,000 views

With “crystal clear waters”, this dog-friendly spot gets top marks from TikTokers. The Lake District’s wild swimming spot, Tongue Pot has 1.3 million views on TikTok, making it the most popular in the UK. 

Tongue Pot offers fantastic opportunities for diving as well as many small pools around. When visiting, it is recommended to park by the old telephone box at the bottom of Hardknott Pass, and don't forget to enjoy the beautiful views on the way.

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Wasdale Fairy Pool, Lake District - 810,000 views

Also known as the ‘emerald’ pool thanks to its turquoise clearing of water amongst two waterfalls, this gorgeous secluded spot can be found in the Wasdale area of the Lake District. 

With over 810k views on TikTok, this location is the third-best swimming spot in the UK. 

To discover this hidden gem park up and head towards the Pyramid-shaped mountains, once you find the wooden footbridge you know you’re on the right path. 

Coniston Coppermines Waterfall, Lake District - 794,000 views

This secret turquoise waterfall is the perfect summer adventure for family and friends and with 794k views on TikTok, it certainly won’t disappoint.

What’s great about this location is there are many plunge pools on the way to the main waterfall which you can also bask in.

Dangers of wild swimming:

A UK police force previously warned: “Open water swimming is vastly different to swimming in a pool and is much more dangerous. Even in warm weather, the water is often a lot colder than you expect and sudden immersion can lead to cold water shock. Even the strongest of swimmers can get into difficulty quickly.

“Please be vigilant, even when near stretches of open water. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the UK and we know that many of these cases involve normal everyday activities where there was no intention of entering the water.

“The depth of open water can be difficult to judge, and steep sides and banks can make it hard to get out. There are also hidden dangers beneath the surface of the water, including debris that can not only cause injury but also potentially trap you under water. Open water is also often untreated, and many contain contaminants that can make you extremely ill."