The Thirlmere infinity pool in the Lake District is a brilliant destination for those who love wild swimming. Nestled near the charming town of Keswick, this natural infinity pool offers an unparalleled experience that has gained recognition as one of the best places for wild swimming in the Lake District.
What sets the Thirlmere infinity pool apart is its breathtaking setting. Surrounded by stunning landscapes of the Lake District and an insane view of the tranquil Lake Thirlmere, surrounded by dramatic mountains. The crystal-clear waters of the pool reflect the beauty of the surrounding scenery and acts as an infinity pool in the mountain.
We first visited this pool in Spring of 2023, leaving our motorhome early in the morning to try and catch a sunrise to remember over the Lake District. This was one of our favourite places we have visited in this region of the Lake District and we are so excited to share this guide with you.
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay in Lake District
What is Thirlmere Infinity Pool
Thirlmere Infinity Pool is an incredible place for wild swimming in the Lake District and if you are brave enough to go for a cold water dip, we would highly recommend it. The Thirlmere natural infinity pool is located near Keswick on the Helvellyn western face and boasts stunning views over Lake Thirlmere.
The views from this infinity pool in Thirlmere don’t come without a bit of a walk to get there as they are situated around 260m in elevation. The 2.1-mile (3.5 km) hike, with a total elevation gain of 260m, takes around 30 minutes each way. However, the effort is well worth it as you are rewarded with a unique and unforgettable swimming experience amidst the natural beauty of the Lake District.
Thirlmere Infinity Pool – How to Get There
Reaching the Thirlmere Infinity Pool requires a combination of driving and hiking, but the journey is well worth it for the stunning views and unique swimming experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get to the Thirlmere Infinity Pool:
By Car
Starting point: Begin your journey in Keswick, a popular town in the Lake District. If you are coming from outside the area, you can reach Keswick via the M6 motorway, exiting at Junction 40 and following the A66 westbound.
Driving to Thirlmere: From Keswick, head south on the A591 towards Thirlmere. The drive takes approximately 20 minutes and covers a distance of around 10 miles (16 km).
Parking: Once you arrive in Thirlmere, park your car near Thirlmere Community Hall, which is located on the western side of the lake. This is the starting point of the hike to the infinity pool.
Hiking to the Pool
Hiking route: The hike to the Thirlmere Infinity Pool is a 2.1-mile (3.5 km) walk with an elevation gain of 260m. The trail is moderately difficult and takes about 30 minutes each way.
Starting the hike: From the parking area near Thirlmere Community Hall, follow the well-trodden path that leads up the hillside. The trail will take you through beautiful woodland and open countryside, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Key markers along this route are as follow:
Reaching the pool: As you approach the top of the hill, you will come across the Thirlmere Infinity Pool, nestled on the western face of Helvellyn mountain. Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views over Lake Thirlmere before diving into the refreshing waters of the natural infinity pool.
DON’T FORGET
Your trip to Thirlmere Infinity Pool will be a lot more comfortable with a midge net and midge spray. These little biting bugs can be enough to ruin a trip if you don’t have the equipment to protect yourself from them. A repelling candle can also be helpful if you are sitting oustide.
Tips for Wild Swimming in the Lake District
- Don’t swim alone, especially if you are new to wild swimming. Alternatively, make someone aware of your location.
- Be prepared for how cold the water is, it’s flowing off the mountain afterall!
- Check the weather conditions before you go swimming. Look at the winds and temperature.
- Swimming gloves and swimming booties also help to keep you warm.
- You can read more benefits of wild swimming here.
We would highly recommend getting yourself a Seashell dryrobe for keeping warm when you get out of the icy cold water! They even have pockets to store your keys!
Before You Leave for The Lake District
Before you head off on your trip to The Lake District, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get to The Lake District?
The Lake District National Park is a mountainous region in the northwest of England. It is easily reachable by public transport, including train and bus, with routes that take you from major cities directly to the centre of the town of Windermere.
If you are flying into the country, the closest airport will be Manchester airport, however, you can still easily reach The lake District by bus and train from any other part of the country.
National Express Buses connect the Lake District to other parts of the country and West Coast Trains.
View all of the relevant bus and train lines that will get you to Windermere right here.
What Should I Pack for The Lake District?
What you need to pack for The Lake District will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain. Among the essential items you should pack, we recommend a waterproof coat (men’s / women’s), comfortable, waterproof boots (men’s / women’s) and hat and gloves.
The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, northerly winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring the beautiful city.
During the Summer months in the Lake District, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in the Lake District can be strong, especially in the summer months. We would recommend using a sunscreen on these days, we use this specific sun lotion as its less greasy than most others.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in the Lake District, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
We know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to Thirlmere Infinity Pool in the Lake District. If you have visited here recently, let us know what you thought of this palce. If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own English adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our England content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
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