Wild swim in Derwentwater

Overview

Derwentwater, sometimes called Derwent Water, is a beautiful lake in the Borrowdale valley in the Lake District. It’s surrounded by some of the area’s most spectacular fells, including Cat Bells and Friar’s Crag, and so the scenery is equally as stunning as the glimmering water.

Wild swimming in Derwentwater is completely free to do and suitable for families with children, adventurous couples, and groups of friends. There are many areas where the water is accessible from the shoreline, and there are plenty of lovely shallow waters for paddling.

Can you swim in Derwentwater?

Yes, you can swim in Derwentwater. In fact, it’s a fantastic place to enjoy a wild swim in the Lake District. There are also jetties to jump from if you fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush – although it’s best to ease yourself in at first to get used to the cold water.

Is Derwentwater safe to swim in?

Swimming in Derwentwater is relatively safe. There are shallow areas for paddling as well as deeper waters.

Be sure to take all the usual precautions as you would when swimming anywhere. Take local advice on the weather and water conditions. Always swim with a buddy and bring a flotation device with you.

There are many boats on Derwentwater, so keep an eye out for these and stick close to the shoreline. Taking a float with you is recommended so that you’re visible.

When is the best time of year to swim in Derwentwater?

The summer months, from May to September, offer the best conditions for swimming in Derwentwater. The water temperatures are around 16-18°C (61-64°F) at this time.

Can you hire a boat at Derwentwater?

Swimming in Derwentwater is a completely free activity, but if you fancy making even more of a splash, there are plenty of other water sports and activities that you can do instead. These include:

Take a cruise around Derwentwater from Keswick Launch
Hire a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard
Hire a rowing boat or sailing boat
Fishing (you’ll need a permit from the Keswick Angling Association and a rod license from the Environment Agency)

Swimming in the river Derwent

YHA Borrowdale itself is situated right on the banks of the river Derwent (not to be confused with Derwentwater, the lake!). So if you don’t want to head out to Derwentwater, you can have a dip in the river without even needing to leave the Youth Hostel!

The grounds provide direct access to the river for paddling and splashing about – the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Swims on Derwentwater

If you’re a seasoned wild swimmer, there are a few different routes that you can choose from to make your dip a little more interesting. Here are a few of them:

Around Derwent Island: 1500 metres starting at an access point from Crow Park opposite the Theatre by the Lake
End to end: Start at the same point as above and head down the length of the lake. This is about 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometres) from one end to the other or an almost 6-mile (9.7 kilometre) round trip
Across the lake: Start from Barrow Bay, where there is a car park, and swim across the lake at its widest point. This is around 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometres) each way

Swimming events at Derwentwater

Many swimming events take place throughout the year at Derwentwater, and some companies also host guided wild swims. Most of these events have an entrance fee. Events include:

Derwentwater Island Hop hosted by Swim the Lakes
Aquasphere Epic Lakes Swim Derwent
BLDSA Derwentwater

Swimmer wearing a wetsuit wading into a lake

Derwentwater walk

If you don’t want to get wet, why not take a stroll around Derwentwater instead? You can walk around the shore of the lake on flat, easy paths which are waymarked. Enjoy the stunning scenery, including ancient woodland and pebbled beaches, and stop for a picnic along the way.

If you don’t want to pack up your own lunch, there are cafes and restaurants around the lake where you can refuel with a bite to eat and a cuppa.

The entire walk is 10 miles (16 kilometres) and should take approximately five to six hours at a leisurely pace (or three to five hours at a moderate pace).

How to get to Derwentwater from YHA Borrowdale

Derwentwater is 3 miles (5 kilometres) long and 1 mile (6 kilometres) wide, so there are lots of different places to visit along the way. One of the nearest spots to YHA Borrowdale is the Kettlewell National Trust car park. You can get out on the water easily from here.

By car: It’s around an 11-minute drive from YHA Borrowdale to the Kettlewell National Trust car park. Kettlewell National Trust car park is a pay and display car park. It is free for National Trust members.

Public transport: You can catch a direct bus to this area. Catch the 78 Borrowdale Bus at Longthwaite Road end and alight at Lodore Hotel before walking to the car park. The whole journey takes around half an hour.