- Feel Good
- 21st Aug 2026
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Our favourite spots for wild swimming in the North East
Fancy swapping the local pool for something a bit wilder? Wild swimming in the North East means waterfalls tucked into the Cheviots, sheltered coves along the Northumberland coast and rivers that have been drawing swimmers in for centuries.
We’re not ones to gatekeep here at High Life North, so we’ve rounded up some of our favourite wild swimming spots in the region, plus a few quieter gems for anyone after a bit of peace.
WATERFALLS FOR A WILD SWIM
WEARY BANK WATERFALL, YARM, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Near Yarm, this waterfall spills into a deep, clear pool ringed by woodland. Park up at Foxton Bridge, and it’s a short walk through the trees to reach it. It’s quieter than some of the bigger names on this list, so if it’s your first visit, go with someone who knows the area well.
LINHOPE SPOUT, INGRAM, NORTHUMBERLAND
Tucked into the Breamish Valley in Northumberland National Park, Linhope Spout drops around 18 metres into a plunge pool that runs roughly five metres deep in places. It’s a proper wild swim, cold all year round, and best left to confident swimmers who don’t mind a scramble down to the water’s edge. The walk in ranges from a mile and a half to three miles round trip depending on your route, so it’s worth checking a map before you set off.
LOW FORCE, BARNARD CASTLE, COUNTY DURHAM
Set on the River Tees in County Durham, Low Force is the gentler neighbour to the more dramatic High Force upstream, though its cascading falls look friendlier than they feel. The plunge pool below stays deep and properly cold year-round, so this one suits swimmers who already know what they’re doing rather than total beginners.
COASTAL DIPS FOR SEA SWIMMERS
BEADNELL BAY, NORTHUMBERLAND
Image credit: Northumberland Coast National Landscape
This horseshoe-shaped bay on the Northumberland coast has sandy white shores, gentle entry points and enough shelter from stronger currents to suit swimmers and paddleboarders alike. It’s a monitored bathing water with a generally excellent water quality rating, though its popularity means you won’t have it to yourself at peak times. Since you may be sharing the water with boats, windsurfers and kitesurfers, it’s worth making yourself extra visible. For a quieter swim, head south round the bay away from the harbour, where you’ll just have oystercatchers, dunlins and sandpipers for company.
KING EDWARD’S BAY, TYNEMOUTH, TYNE AND WEAR
This little beach is tucked beneath cliffs and grassy banks in the shadow of Tynemouth Priory. RNLI lifeguards patrol through the summer months, making it one of the safer choices on this list, though its popularity means you’ll have plenty of company. Grab a coffee from Riley’s Fish Shack afterwards, or warm up at Steam and Salt’s beachside sauna.
SLOPE BEACH, SEAHAM, COUNTY DURHAM
Image credit: The UK Beach Guide
A small, sheltered sandy beach within Seaham’s harbour, popular with sea swimmers though not patrolled by lifeguards, so make sure you’re confident the conditions are right before wading in. Once the dryrobes are on, the fish and chips from nearby Downey’s are hard to beat, and crucially, they’ve got indoor seating.
BAMBURGH BEACH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Wide, wild and backed by dunes, Bamburgh Beach was named third in TripAdvisor’s 2026 One of a Kind beach awards, beaten only by Sicily’s Isola Bella and South Africa’s Boulders Beach, with Bamburgh Castle rising up over the sand. The beach is vast enough that even on a busy day there’s room to find your own patch, though currents can be stronger than they look, so stick closer to shore if you’re swimming solo. Time it right and you’ll get a sunset swim with the castle silhouetted behind you.
FRESHWATER LAKES WORTH THE DRIVE
LADYBURN LAKE, DRURIDGE BAY, NORTHUMBERLAND
Image credit: All Trails
This large freshwater lake at Druridge Bay Country Park is best known for watersports, with sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding and windsurfing all run through a permit system with the on-site trust. General swimming isn’t listed as an official activity here, so if you fancy a dip, it’s worth calling the park first to check what’s allowed on the day.
POOL BRIDGE FARM, CROCKEY HILL, NORTH YORKSHIRE
A little further afield near York, Pool Bridge Farm has several spring-fed lakes to choose from at Crockey Hill, just 10 minutes from the city centre, including the lily-covered Monet Lake and a family-friendly lake with a wood-fired sauna on site. Festoon lighting around the Monet Lake means swimming can happen from 7am to 7.30pm year-round, and the farm also runs monthly full moon swims for anyone after something a little different, plus a sunrise swim planned to mark the summer solstice.
RIVERS TO COOL OFF IN
RIVER COQUET, WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Image 1 & 2 credit: All Trails
The River Coquet meanders through the village of Warkworth, offering some of the most picturesque wild swimming around, with the ruins of Warkworth Castle looking on from above. Along its banks you’ll find shallow wading areas and deeper pools, so there’s something for swimmers of varying confidence levels. Park riverside and you’re just steps from the water, with picnic benches nearby for afterwards.
FEATHERSTONE CASTLE, HALTWHISTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
On the South Tyne near Haltwhistle, this stretch has a sandy shoreline that slopes gently into deeper water towards the middle, giving paddlers and stronger swimmers room to do their own thing. Dippers and sand martins are often spotted along the banks, and the slower flow makes it a popular choice for families.
CHESTERS BRIDGE, CHOLLERFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND
On the North Tyne near Chesters Roman Fort, this spot sits among the remains of a Hadrian’s Wall bridge abutment, said to be where Roman soldiers once bathed. The shallow rapids here hide a stronger pull than they look, so this one’s for confident swimmers who never go in alone.
Fancy heading out further afield? Check out this month’s High Life Hikes on the hidden gem Buttermere infinity pool.
BEFORE YOU TAKE THE PLUNGE
Wherever you decide to swim, treat open water with a bit of respect. Never swim alone, ease yourself in rather than jumping straight in, and let someone know where you’re headed and when you expect to be back.
Water below about 12 degrees can be dangerous even for strong swimmers, so acclimatise gradually and get out if you start to feel numb or short of breath. A tow float, a bright swim cap and a warm layer for afterwards are worth packing every time, and it’s always safer to swim with company than to go it alone.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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