@Lizzie
Possibly our favourite place is Coniston Water. If we want to head into The Lakes, we tend to go there. For sitting next to, and accessing the water there's probably not a better place. Brown Howe National Trust car park is where we head and as posted previously, 'wildcat island' or more commonly known Peel Island is roughly a half mile swim or 'paddle' with rocks allowing you to dive into the lake. We often meet friends there and stay around all day.
There's lots of places to find around the Lakes.
On Friday of this past weekend after the girls had finished with work we went to Ullswater (lake) and had a bbq and swim just north of Glenridding:
BBQ time Friday evening after work at Ullswater
Yesterday, Sunday, we decided to try somewhere new. Well, a few places new. There was a 'Top 20 places to wild swim publicised so we thought we'd give a few a try. The first place was Devoke Water. This was on the west side of The Lakes and a 1/2 mile walk to the lake, and the weather being good we had a dip in the lake near an old boat house then climbed the adjacent crag. The 360 panoramic views from the top were spectacular. A good distance all around to the nearest high mountain ranges and an open aspect across the sea towards the Isle of Man and Ireland in the far distance. Silecroft beach is just there on the coast and is a fabulous soft sand and blue flag beach. Standing on the crag felt like no other place we've been with all the ground falling away on all sides to distant horizons.
Devoke Water Boat House
Devoke Water and Boat House
Devoke, view across to I.O.M. and Ireland viewing across Silecroft beach in distance
On the crag top here is a fabulous sheltered camping spot. We have this earmarked for a visit at a later date.
Crag is Conquered
Wast Water. Deepest Lake @79m
Wast Water with Great Gable at the head of the lake and Scafell Pike behind the far range to the right.
Wast Water swimming
Wast water swimming is cold. It is the deepest lake in England at 79m / 258ft. In my younger years, I had to abort a dive here because the cold was so impossible to cope with without headgear. Often sea diving can be tolerated without headgear. Not here.
Esk Waterfall, Wild swimming
@Helen427 Skinny dipping, no wetsuits. Not as cold as we expected. The lake was a lot colder, but the water here being pretty shallow was considerably warmer.. although 'warmer' might not really be the best description. This was one of the wild water swimming places recommended and was very slightly further up the valley than the 'pool' below. Even a couple who were set up to watch the sunset 100m away didn't even know of its existence quite happy thinking they'd seen all the pools in the area.
Esk River Pool
Two of my girls enjoying the pool and rock jumping.
Kirkstone Pass, also driven Wrynose and Hardknott Passes - last two, not for the feint hearted
The road network around the Lake District is pretty good. The roads are narrow, but passing places are provided if needed. This Kirkstone Pass heads over from between Ambleside and the Lake Brothers Water and Ullswater. The other passes of Wrynose and Hardknott are more challenging with single track steep winding mountain roads.
There's more to discover all around The Lake District here and we take whatever opportunity we can to explore more. Sometimes though, its good to just sit, take in the view and let it wash over you.
Social distancing 2020 style, Wast Water.