LAKES AND TARNS - LAKE DISTRICT

We meet at your accommodation where we hold a welcome meeting and safety briefing to kick off our trip. We then take a walk through the forest and fells, which leads us along the western shore of Grasmere Lake, to our acclimatisation swim. After the swim, we head back to our hotel for our first dinner, which is included in your package.

From the guest house we head to Rydal Water, which is the shallowest of the lakes, keeping the temperature relatively warm. Heron Island, located in the middle of the lake, is an ideal resting point during our swim. You can clearly see High and Low Pike as well as Great Rigg as we take in the region’s beautiful scenery from the water. After our swim, we enjoy a packed lunch at Rydal Water.

After lunch and some time to rest, we head back to Grasmere for our final swim of the day. After our refreshing swim, there’s time for a hot drink before we head back to our accommodation to end this day of swimming and trekking. In the evening, you are free to explore Grasmere and select somewhere to have dinner.

After a hearty breakfast, the first trek of the day is up Sour Milk Ghyll to Easedale Tarn, referred to by the poet Thomas de Quincey as “a chapel within a cathedral.” It’s one of the most picturesque spots in the Lakes and feels like it’s your own private pool - of course, we get here well before any other visitors! While swimming, you will notice the steep hillsides surrounding the tarn, which rise on the right to Tarn Crag, and, on the left, they form Castle How and Blea Rigg.

After getting out of the water and having another hot drink, we take a walk back down to Grasmere where we have a picnic lunch before this weekend of idyllic lake swimming and walking comes to an end.

We have given this trip a ‘Leisurely’ grading designed for people who want to swim at a more relaxed pace and enjoy the scenery.

This grading is for the swim only and does not take into account the challenging walks to each remote location.

Swimming Distances

*Please note that these swims are an example of what may take place during your trip and should be used as a guide only. Actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in lakes is a fantastic experience, however, water quality can at times be affected by water runoff from local fields. Blue Green Algae and Weil’s Disease are possible contaminants, so if you do feel unwell at any stage during or after the trip, you should visit a GP immediately and inform them that you have been lake swimming.

Walking Distances

Walking Conditions

While we have given this trip a grading of Leisurely for the swimming conditions, we want you to enjoy exploring the scenery the Lake District has to offer. The walks to our swimming locations will vary in gradient and intensity. We always walk on recognised tracks or paths, which can be challenging and tricky underfoot. Some of the walks are uphill and of moderate difficulty.

Temperatures

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Group Size

This trip has a maximum group size of 16. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by your SwimTrek guide and Safety Support Crew.

Boat Support

Boat support on this trip includes a combination of canoes and kayaks. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

Extra Activities

Our fantastic water safety partners, Into the Outside, also deliver a number of Lake District activities. If you would like to add additional excursions either side of your trip, you can find out more at Into The Outside or contact them directly at info@intotheoutside.co.uk

Equipment Checklist

For your basic, essential packing list, please visit our Packing List page on the website. For additional, location specific items, please see the information below.

SwimTrek will provide water and electrolytes at every location and refill your bottles.

Please ensure you bring a suitable backpack so you can comfortably carry all the essentials you need.

Whilst we want you to remain warm, we advise against bringing large drying robes as they are very bulky to carry between swims.

You will be required to carry your kit at the start and end of your day, but your belongings will be portaged between swims if appropriate. For this reason, we recommend your bag is waterproof. We also ask that you bring a personal drinks flask that you can fill from the hotel on the morning of each day. We will supply plenty of top up opportunities throughout the day. Finally, due to the variable nature of conditions on these swims, wetsuits are strongly recommended.

If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest, snorkel, or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you.

Tri Wetsuit Hire & Wetsuit Hiring Option

For all UK residence we have partnered with Tri Wetsuit Hire who offer different hiring options for our SwimTrekkers from 2 weeks or 4 weeks, to a whole season - Use 'SWIMTREK5' for a special discount on their website.

The easiest way to get to your accommodation is to drive. However, you can also reach the guesthouse via train, taxi, or bus. While we have outlined various travel options below, they are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend confirming your travel arrangements as early as possible to avoid price rises and availability issues.

Getting to Grasmere via Public Transport

From London or Glasgow, the journey will take approximately three hours, while from Manchester journey time is approximately two hours. The nearest train station to Grasmere is Windermere which is approximately 9 miles away. For detailed train timetables and prices, visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk.

From Windermere train station, you can choose to take a taxi, or a bus operated by Stagecoach which will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. There are several buses from Windermere to Grasmere centre. Both Glenthorne Guest house and The Inn at Grasmere are close to central Grasmere just 5-10 minute walk. To book a ticket or find bus timetables, please visit: www.stagecoachbus.com.

Driving to Grasmere

Grasmere is right at the heart of the Lake District National Park. The Glenthorne Guest House is located 500-metres north of the centre of Grasmere on Easedale Road. The postcode is LA22 9QH. When you turn into Easedale Road, the guest house is located 200m along on the left-hand side. On-site parking is available for all guests.

The Inn at Grasmere is along Broadgate, postcode LA22 9SS. Free on-site parking is available for guests.

We are excited to work closely with two brilliant partners in Grasmere who welcome you to either accommodation, depending on which departure date suits you best. Three of our 2024 trips will be based in The Inn at Grasmere, and the remaining will be based in the Glenthorne Guest House.

The Glenthorne Guest House is a traditional lodge located right in the heart of Grasmere and within five minutes of the village. It offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where its Quaker values and ethos sit alongside comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings. Our accommodation has a mixture of shared or en suite facilities. There are a limited number of single supplement rooms which can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

The Inn at Grasmere is part and parcel of the historic village. With breathtaking views in a central location, the Inn provides visitors with easy access to the Lakes District in a luxurious setting. The Inn offers that extra level of comfort for your SwimTrek experience with spacious en suite rooms, an indoor heated pool, and a sauna to relax after a day of exploring the Lake District by land and water. It also boasts a traditional, seasonal menu to help you refuel at the end of the day's activities.

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation and Trip Extensions

If you require additional nights’ accommodation before or after the SwimTrek tour, this can be arranged directly through the Glenthorne via email at info@glenthorne.org, or The Inn at Grasmere via reservations@theinnatgrasmere.co.uk.

Food and Drink

Dinner is included on the first night. Dinner on the second night is at your own expense. This gives you the opportunity to either dine in, or to explore and experience a local restaurant of your choice. For dinners we will generally dine together, but you are free to choose where and with whom you would like to dine. Restaurants get busy so advance booking is recommended. Breakfast and lunch on the following two days are included in your package price.

For more information, please visit: www.swimtrek.com/food-and-drink.

For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

The local currency in the UK is British Pound Sterling (£).

You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as meals not already included in your package, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc.

In some countries, tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture - in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is done entirely at your own discretion. If you have been provided with excellent service it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Non-residents of UK require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of all EU member states, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter UK. Please note that visa regulations are subject to change, and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference.

For further information, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Health Information

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

For comprehensive health information for people travelling to the UK, including all recommended and required vaccinations, please visit www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Please note that this information is subject to change and you should re-check this site regularly prior to your trip.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

At the Glenthorne Guest House, most rooms and communal areas have access to free Wi-Fi.

At The Inn at Grasmere, all rooms have free Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit www.worldstandards.eu.