The Best Places For Wild Swimming Near Manchester

Manchester may be known for being wet and cold, but the summer months often bring blazing sunshine and blue skies. There are no outdoor pools in the city itself so when the temperatures soar, but there are several wild swimming destinations within an hour’s drive of the city centre. Here are five of the best spots to cool off close to Manchester.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Hatchmere, Cheshire

In just under an hour you can drive from Manchester city centre to Hatchmere, a picturesque lake near Frodsham, in Cheshire. A favourite wild swimming spot of many locals, Hatchmere is perfectly set up for swimming with a small beach area beside the road, right beside the Carriers Inn. The water deepens gradually, making it ideal for families with children who like to paddle. Keep your eyes peeled for algae and stay away from the fishermen on the jetty.

Pickmere is slightly closer to Manchester, just a 45 minute drive from the city centre. This large lake may flaunt ‘no swimming’ signs, but that doesn’t stop it being a popular wild swimming destination. There are many places where you can enter the water, but one of the best spots is the small jetty through the undergrowth, if you turn right after walking down from the car park. The water drops off suddenly and there is quite a lot of debris on the bottom, so this isn’t the best place to bring children and you’ll definitely want to wear swim shoes.

Gaddings Dam at Todmorden, West Yorkshire

The highest beach in England can be reached by a 20-minute steep uphill climb from the Shepherd’s Rest pub, overlooking Todmorden in the Calder Valley. A team of local people cleaned up the old reservoir in 2001, creating a sandy beach area and a haven for local wild swimmers. This used to be a bit of a hidden gem, but on hot summer days the area now gets incredibly busy. Time your visit for early morning, evenings or weekday afternoons to avoid the crowds, and be prepared for the steep climb from the pub. The drive from Manchester is just under an hour.

Lumb Hole Falls

If you’re looking for a really wild swim, head to Lumb Falls just outside Hebden Bridge (an hour and 15 minute drive from Manchester). Ensure that you have a good Ordnance Survey map with you to find your destination, as it’s a little tricky to locate, despite being just a short walk from the road. You’ll have to walk down a steep cobbled path and scramble down the riverbank, but it’s more than worth it to swim in a pool that looks like something out of a fairy tale. More adventurous types can climb up the waterfall and jump into the deep waters, while anyone looking for a relaxing swim can simply float in the pool.

Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, Salford

If you’re a hardened swimmer, own a wet suit and are more bothered about actually swimming outdoors than searching for picturesque surroundings, you don’t even need to leave the city. Salford Watersports Centre hold open water swimming sessions twice a week, allowing serious swimmers to dive into the Manchester Ship Canal. You’ll have to pay to join up and sign several forms before they let you get wet, but if you’re really into your outdoor swimming, what are you waiting for?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.