Lakes and Tarns - Lake District

We meet at the Glenthorne Guest House, where we hold a welcome meeting and safety briefing to kick off our trip. We then take an easy 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 the Glenthorne for our first dinner, which is included in your package.

From the guest house, we walk via the Loughrigg terrace to Rydal Water. It’s the shallowest of the lakes, which keeps 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 walk up to Loughrigg Tarn. It is a relatively short walk over Loughrigg - a typically beautiful Lakeland fell, with the quiet lakeside walk beside Rydal Water leading to some superb views. Loughrigg Tarn is a small, secluded natural lake. It’s a lovely place for a short swim, with the Langdale Pikes offering a beautiful backdrop. After our refreshing swim, there’s time for a hot drink before we head back to our accommodation to bring to an 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, as 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 a hot drink, it’s 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.

Swimming Distances

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

We always walk on recognised tracks or paths, which can be challenging and tricky underfoot. The walk to Rydal Water and Loughrigg Tarn is through charming scenery and of low difficulty. The walk to Easedale Tarn is 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.

Equipment Checklist

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

For more information please visit: www.swimtrek.com/packing-list

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

**Due to the variable nature of conditions on these swims, it is advisable to bring a wetsuit along with you to use if required.

SwimTrek will supply swim hats, water and electrolyte drinks. The guides will no longer distribute shared drinks bottles but will fill your personal drink bottles. Please ensure these are clearly marked to help our guides identify yours. If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you.

The easiest way to reach the Glenthorne Guest House 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 in order 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. You can take any of the following Stagecoach services from Windermere: The 505 (Kendal–Coniston), the 555 (Kendal-Keswick) or the 599 (Kendal-Grasmere). The cost for this bus is approximately £7.40 for a single ticket. The Glenthorne Guest House is a 5–10 minute walk from Grasmere Centre along Easedale Road. To book a ticket or find bus timetables, please visit: www.stagecoachbus.com.

Driving to Grasmere

Grasmere is located in the centre of Lake District National Park. The Glenthorne Guest House is located 500m 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 Glenthorne is located right in the heart of Grasmere and within five minutes of the village. It offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings. Our accommodation is based on twin-share rooms with either 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. Please note that unless you select an en suite room you will share a bathroom between two rooms.

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.

Food and Drink

Dinner is included on the first night at the Glenthorne Guest House. Dinner on the second night is at your own expense. This gives you the opportunity to either dine at the Glenthorne House again 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

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as entertainment, dinner on day 2 night, snacks, and souvenirs. The local currency in the UK is British Pound Sterling (£).

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 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: www.swimtrek.com/sustainable-travel

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.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance. This 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 about travel insurance, please visit: www.swimtrek.com/travel-insurance.

Health Information

For comprehensive health information for people travelling to the UK, including all recommended and required vaccinations, please visit Travel Health Pro. 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.

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