• Barbecued meats and vegetables
  • Buttermere
  • Wordsworth's Daffodils
  • Wastwater
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • Full Moon Swim
  • Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • Ullswater
  • Midsummer Madness Swim
  • Wastwater
  • Sunset on the shore of Derwentwater
  • Wastwater
  • Open Water Coaching
  • Windermere
  • Barbecued meats and vegetables
  • Buttermere
  • Wordsworth's Daffodils
  • Wastwater
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • Full Moon Swim
  • Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • Ullswater
  • Midsummer Madness Swim
  • Wastwater
  • Sunset on the shore of Derwentwater
  • Wastwater
  • Open Water Coaching
  • Windermere
  • Barbecued meats and vegetables
  • Buttermere
  • Wordsworth's Daffodils
  • Wastwater
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • Full Moon Swim
  • Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • Ullswater
  • Midsummer Madness Swim
  • Wastwater
  • Sunset on the shore of Derwentwater
  • Wastwater
  • Open Water Coaching
  • Windermere
  • Barbecued meats and vegetables
  • Buttermere
  • Wordsworth's Daffodils
  • Wastwater
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • Full Moon Swim
  • Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • Ullswater
  • Midsummer Madness Swim
  • Wastwater
  • Sunset on the shore of Derwentwater
  • Wastwater
  • Open Water Coaching
  • Windermere
  • Barbecued meats and vegetables
  • Buttermere
  • Wordsworth's Daffodils
  • Wastwater
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • Full Moon Swim
  • Introduction to Open Water Swimming
  • Ullswater
  • Midsummer Madness Swim
  • Wastwater
  • Sunset on the shore of Derwentwater
  • Wastwater
  • Open Water Coaching
  • Windermere

Legends of the Lakes Swim Tours

“There is something in these wild places which can be found nowhere else”

Alfred Wainwright knew a thing or two about the Lakes, but he never saw what wild swimmers can see!

Discover the thrill of seeing ospreys hunt over Bassenthwaite, watching the otters frolic around Ullswater – from the water, not crammed into a lakeside viewpoint.

Retrace the steps of ‘Professor of Adventure’ Millican Dalton, follow John, Susan, Titty and Roger to Wild Cat Island, or swim above Wastwater’s gnomes.

Our iconic Swims take you to parts of the Lake District which are not available to the majority of tourists, and with two kayaks, a fully qualified STA Open Water Swim Coach, cakes and coffee you can be sure that your experience will be safe as well as thrilling.

We can include one or more of these magical swims in a tailored package, so take a look at what’s on offer!

BEACH BARBECUE SWIM

BEACH BARBECUE SWIM

What could be finer?
Join us for a swim round the islands, then chill out with your friends and family as we strike up the BBQ and watch the sun set over the mountains.

FULL MOON SWIM

FULL MOON SWIM

Why not spend the evening swimming under the Full Moon in Derwentwater, followed with a relaxed barbecue on the shores afterwards?

DAWN CHORUS

DAWN CHORUS

Starting at sunrise, this swim tour will take in the peaceful waters of Derwentwater, where afterwards there will be a welcome hot drink and breakfast waiting for you on the shores.

MIDSUMMER MADNESS

MIDSUMMER MADNESS

On Thursday 21 June at 04:37 the sun rises for the longest day, then at 21:51 it sets again.
We have two swims planned for this occasion with a party afterwards.

ISLAND HOPPING

ISLAND HOPPING

Gentle swimming amongst Derwentwater’s many islands, followed by a fantastic fish supper in Keswick!

LAUGHING GNOMES

LAUGHING GNOMES

Absolutely nothing to do with David Bowie's 'classic' song, but rather the depths of Wastwater, where the truth is stranger than fiction.

WORDSWORTH'S DAFFODILS

WORDSWORTH'S DAFFODILS

William Wordsworth 'wandered, lonely as a cloud' along the banks of Ullswater, and you too can enjoy the magnificent display of daffodils in Glencoyne Bay in early spring.

MILLICAN DALTON'S WAY

MILLICAN DALTON'S WAY

After taking the launch to the bottom of Derwentwater and swimming ‘The Professor of Adventure's’ course back up the middle of the lake to Keswick.

Swim on the Wild Side is the Lake District's only swimming holiday operator offering fully coached activities with a qualified and experienced coach.

All of our swims are fully risk assessed, insured and we abide by the strict environmental rules laid down by the Lake District National Park, following the 'Ditch the Hitchers' campaign.

Want to make a booking? We’ll be happy to devise a schedule to fit your plans where possible just click here to visit our calendar.

Need more information? Dive into our Any Questions page here.