Julie Smith
24 March 2021
What could be finer on a warm weekend than a walk along the Langstrath Valley, where there is no mobile signal but miles of glorious views, followed by a refreshing dip in Black Moss Pot? It's one of several wild swimming spots in the Lake District.
The Langstrath Valley
Black Moss Pot is arguably the most famous swimming hole in Lakeland and is around a 2-mile walk up the Langstrath Valley.
You can walk up on either side of the river, and then splash across upstream of the swimming hole. The main swimming hole is rather spacious, with tall craggy walls of rock surrounding it, and a thundering waterfall supplying the water. You’ll typically find several people slashing around here on a sunny day, but if you head downstream you can enjoy the peaceful shallows of the river.
Swimming at Black Moss Pot
Take along goggles and an underwater camera and dive below the surface to check out the amazing rockery scenery. The water deepens quickly allowing you to swim up the river to the swimming hole, through an impressive chasm of rock. In the clear upstream water, you may well see some brown trout but they are usually too quick to capture on camera.
You’ll often see some brave folk jumping in the main swimming hole from the rocks a few meters above. Black Moss is one of the few places where you can safely jump (if you are brave enough) from a height without worrying about rocks beneath the surface.
After bobbing around in the water and splashing under the powerful waterfall, you can also indulge in a spot of sunbathing on the nearby grass bank.
Refreshments and a peaceful walk
If you fancy some refreshments after your dip, there’s a tiny shop you can call in at Black Moss Pot, (it’s really more of a doorway and serving hatch). You’ll find a fridge full of cold drinks, homemade cake and gorgeous ice cream, so you can treat yourself and indulge in one of each.
If you don't fancy a swim, Langstrath is a great walk. The scenery is green and craggy and it is one of the more peaceful and less-visited valleys.
Find out more about our Lake District cottages in the Borrowdale Valley.
Disclaimer: The water is cold! Be prepared for this. Don't jump off the high rocks without first taking a dip in the pool to suss out the depth. Activities like this are always best enjoyed with a friend so you can look out for each other in the water. Take a jumper and some food to warm up and refuel afterwards, even if the sun is shining!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.