Buckstones Jump in the Lake District is a perfect spot for a bit of wild swimming

A walk to Buckstones jump – A superb spot for a bit of wild swimming in the Lake District 

Buckstones Jump is well-known spot for wild swimming in the Lake District and is a short walk (about 45 mins up a gentle hill from the car park at Rydal Hall). It’s set in beautiful surroundings and with it’s elevated spot it has breathtaking views all the way down to Windermere.

Buckstones Jump has a small shingle beach to ease gently into the deeper water which you can swim in (and even jump into if you jump far enough from the surrounding rock face) There’s a waterfall too which some people use as a natural slide but you might get a few bumps off it (search on Youtube for some vids of it!). Buckstones Jump also has a large grassy areas all around it – ideal for a picnic. It’s an absolutely perfect spot to be honest – which can be it’s draw back as I imagine on warm summer weekends you won’t be the only ones there!

Buckstones Jump is a perfect location for wild swimming in the Lake District

Walk to Buckstones Jump, overview:

Buckstones Jump walk distance: 2 miles in total (1 mile there, 1 mile back!)

Time to walk to Buckstones jump: 45 minutes (1.5 hour round trip, plus stopping time)

Walk difficulty: Easy (Gentle uphill to Buckstones Jump)

Buckstones Jump map route:

Here you can see the map route of our walk to Buckstones Jump from the car park at Rydal Hall (£5 all day pay at reception). We done this route in an anti-clockwise direction, headed to the famous falls at Rydal first, then through Rydal campsite and then just followed the footpath keeping Rydal Beck on our left. About half way to Buckstones jump the path will take you away (east) from Rydal Beck for a short way and you may feel like your then going the wrong direction – so just make sure you keep your bearings (keep checking your GPS – downloading the OS map route below will help) and go left after going over the wall – always making sure Rydal Beck is never too far away on your left. You’ll then just come across a little hill which will be hiding Buckstones Jump – just head up and over the hill and there it is. You can either come back the way you came or on the other side of Rydal Beck!

Photos of the Buckstones Jump Walk:

You’ve got to visit the famous falls at Rydal Hall – a bridge takes you directly over this viewpoint at the start of the walk so it’s very accessible. You can even drop down into the little stone building for a different view!

You’ll pass many waterfalls on your way along Rydal Beck – which where in full flow on this walk after heavy rainfall – all a good location for a wild swimming in themselves when the flow is a bit gentler.

And here we are at Buckstones Jump – what an idyllic spot for wild swimming in the Lake District and nobody else about on this mid-week day (In warmer weather on weekends there will often be others about though)

There is plenty of shallow water for younger kids to have a paddle about around the shingle beach

The views up here are incredible – all the way down to Windermere and the surrounding fells

Time to get in! The water gets deep quite quickly and after about 10ft from the shingle beach I can’t stand up! The current is pretty strong from the waterfall too and difficult to swim against. To be quite honest I wouldn’t get too close to the white water of the waterfall after heavy rainfall as strong circular currents can form which can lock you in! I’ve seen people get into difficulties here so take care!

What a spot for a wild swim in the Lake District – the current from that modest waterfall his really strong though!

After a good swim and hanging around Buckstones Jump for about an hour – we head back via the path along Rydal Beck

TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR WILD SWIM

The water here is fresh from the fells and can be bracingly cold, even in summer, so enter slowly to let your body adjust. Swim shoes or grippy sandals are highly recommended, as the rocks around the pool can be slippery and uneven. 

In summer months it can get popular – so visit early morning for a peaceful experience.

BEWARE! The water gets suprinsingly deep quite quickly and the current right near the modest waterfall where the white water is – is very powerful after rainfall and circular currents can form here which can trap you in and lead to difficulty, so avoid swiming up close to the waterfall. If you’ve viewed Buckstones jump on youtube – you may see some people using the waterfall as a slide. Be very careful doing this as a bang to the head or body can be painful and potentially very dangerous.

Finally, Buckstones Jump is a good place for beginners to try wild swimming – but please be aware of the wild swimming dangers and read my short guide below to help you plan the best experience: