WILD & OPEN WATER SWIMMING

Led by Colin Hill, our renowned open water swim guide and coach, English Channel solo swimmer, first UK Male Ice Mile swimmer (one mile in under 5 degrees with no wetsuit) & former Age Group Triathlon Champion. His passion for open water swimming is infectious.

Waterfall wild swim

Waterfall wild swim

All year round

Cost: £55pp
Duration: 1hr 45 mins (15 min drive, own transport required)
Group: Up to six people, minimum of two. Children 11 years and over during the summer. 16 yrs and older between November to June. Children age 11-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must be able to swim a minimum of 200m.

A guided wild swim with cold water swimming expert, Colin Hill. Walk through the woodland to a series of waterfalls in the Ullswater Valley. The locations change due to the depth of water and rainfall. Colin will teach you how to safely enter cold water with breathing techniques and guide you through two waterfall swims. The time in the water will be between 15-20 minutes and you can experience being immersed in stunning nature.

Stargazing night swims in Ullswater

Stargazing night swims in Ullswater

All year round

Cost: £40pp
Duration: Up to 60 minutes (depending on weather and time of year)
Group: Up to six people, a minimum of two. Children 16 years and over. 16-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Suitable for beginner and experienced swimmers. This is a swim experience rather than a serious swim.

Swim in the lake at night under The Milky Way, the glow of your light-up tow float keeping you company under the stars. Open water swimming specialist, Colin Hill, will be your guide in the water with you. Experience 20 – 40 mins in the water. The session takes place in the bay in front of the hotel and will include all equipment, safety briefing and guide.

We go out in most weather conditions, if it’s cloudy, we enjoy the inky blackness on the water – it’s a wonderful experience floating in Ullswater at night. In June and July when the evenings are light until 10pm, we wont be able to swim in absolute darkness.

Introduction to open water swimming in Ullswater

Introduction to open water swimming in Ullswater

May to September

Cost: £40pp
Duration: 60 minutes
Group: Up to six people, minimum of two. Children 11 years and over. 11-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Suitable for beginner swimmers. Must be able to swim 100 metres.

This session is tailor made for those swimmers who would like some guidance and top tips on swimming outdoors.  Our expert guide will talk you through the equipment you need, before heading down to the lake for a 45 minute session in the water.  You’ll find out about acclimatisation, how to navigate yourself in the open water and some safety advice for swimming outdoors.  A perfect way to gain confidence in the open water.

Your swim guide will be in the water with you as you still within the bay area.

Ullswater winter swim sessions

Ullswater winter swim sessions

Winter

Cost: £40pp
Duration: 45 minutes
Group: Up to six people, minimum of two. Children 14 years and over. Children age 14-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Suitable for beginner and experienced swimmers.

Experience swimming in cold water during the winter months safely with our ice swimming expert, Colin Hill.  Approximately 20 – 40 mins in the water depending on conditions. The session will take place in the bay in front of the hotel and will include acclimatisation to cold water and tips for cold water swimming. Dry Robes and floats will be provided.

Ullswater Swim Place has a team of expert guides who may be used depending on availability.

Wild Swim Camp

Wild Swim Camp

May, June, September & November

Immerse yourself in our two-night wild swim camp for three days of outdoor swimming in Ullswater with one of the country’s most experienced open-water swimmers.

Full moon night swims

Full moon night swims

All year, once each month

Cost: £40pp
Duration: 60 minutes
Group: Up to six people, minimum of two. Children 16 years and over. Children age 16-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Suitable for beginner and experienced swimmers. Read our blog.

Swim in the lake at night under a full moon with light-up tow floats and glow sticks. A cold water swimming specialist will be your guide in the water with you. You will experience approximately 20 – 40 mins in the water. The session will take place in the bay in front of the hotel and will include a safety briefing.

Ullswater Swim Place has a team of expert guides, who may be used depending on availability.

Wild swimming adventure to Kailpot

Wild swimming adventure to Kailpot

April to October

Cost: £55pp
Duration: 90 minutes (including travel by boat)
Group: Up to six people, minimum of two. Children 10 years and over. Children age 10-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must be able to swim a minimum of 200m.

This is a wild swimming adventure, with 90 minutes in the water. Explore the secluded bay of Kailpot on Ullswater with expert tuition from Colin Hill. A short boat-trip away, you will swim close to the lake shoreline, climbing rocks and crags to find the best spot to jump in.

Cross lake swim

Cross lake swim

May to October

Cost: £60pp
Duration: 60 minutes
Group: Up to three people. Children 12 years and over. Children age 12-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who can travel in the boat. All participants must be able to swim a minimum of 1km.

Push yourself using the safety and knowledge of Colin Hill, who has spent his career training athletes, keeping them safe in an open-water environment. Challenge yourself on a one-mile swim from one side of the lake to another. Colin will take you to the widest part of the lake and you can set off, swimming shore to shore, with Colin offering support and advice from the boat. Each swimmer will receive a ‘Cross Ullswater Swim’ medal to celebrate their achievement.

Choose from;
Slow pace – breaststroke, 40mins+ to swim a mile
Steady pace – freestyle, under 40 mins to swim a mile.

Endless pool sessions with Ullswater Swim Place

Endless pool sessions with Ullswater Swim Place

All year

Duration: 60 minutes.
Group: Individual. Children 8 years and over. 8-17 years need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Swim in our new training pool against a flume to review and perfect your stroke technique with expert coaches Colin Hill, Karen Field or Salka Hintikka. The endless pool is fitted with underwater and overhead cameras, underwater mirror and a TV monitor for instant feedback, replaying your stroke from different angles from above and below the water.

The session is perfect for all abilities from learning front crawl to perfecting freestyle for triathlons or swim races.