If your ideal campsite involves rolling out of bed and straight into a lake, this is for you…
We love a campsite with direct access to open water. Here’s a selection of our (my) favourite campsites with Lakes/LLyns/Lochs, where I can slope off for an early morning dip without having to wake the kids. It also means a shorter dash from the water to the van in ‘dryrobe no knickers’ (come on, everybody does it!). These would all be perfect for paddle boarding too.
This list is shorter than I’d like. Dan loves to surf so it’s not that often that I manage to convince him to head inland. I’m working on my influencing skills with the aim of being able to research a few more in 2023!
1. Cornish Tipi Holidays
This eco-friendly campsite is set in a stunning location in Cornwall, surrounded by rolling hills and woodland. And the best part? The site features a beautiful quarry lake that is perfect for swimming – it’s like something out of Swallows and Amazons!
The lake is crystal clear and fed by natural springs, making it a refreshing and invigorating place to swim. It has floating pontoons to dive from, and boats of all shapes and sizes to borrow (free of charge). The lake is also stocked with fish, so bring a rod and tackle and you could land your very own trout to cook on the campfire.
We were lucky enough to win our August Bank Holiday getaway to Cornish Tipis through a competition run by @mamastillgotit_ and we’d go back in a heartbeat.
2. Llyn Gwynant, North Wales
Nestled in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, Lyn Gwynant campsite is a true gem of North Wales.
The site is just a stone’s throw from some of the best hiking trails in Snowdonia, including the iconic Snowdon itself.
One of the standout features is its location on the shores of Llyn Gwynant, a picturesque lake that is perfect for an early morning swim straight from the campervan. If you’re lucky you might just get the whole lake to yourself!
If you like a bit more of an adrenaline rush from your swims then why not head out to elephant rock for some multi level cliff jumping. How high would you go?
3. Luss Campsite, Loch Lomond
Situated right on the banks of Loch Lomond is Luss Campsite, a very conveniently located stopover when travelling further up into Scotland, or a very worthy destination in its own right. The surrounding hills and mountains provide a stunning backdrop, making swimming in Loch Lomond truly unforgettable.
We visited in April so my Loch Lomond swim was a rather brief and chilly but exhilarating experience. It was breathtaking in every sense of the word!
4. Fforest Fields, Mid Wales
This family-friendly campsite, located in the heart of Wales, boasts a beautiful lake that’s perfect for taking a dip.
The campsite also has miles of hiking and biking trails, so you can explore the stunning Welsh countryside and discover hidden gems along the way. You can see why this site is a firm favourite with the #vanfamtribe who meet here annually.
5. Waterside House, Ullswater
Waterside House Campsite is located on the shores of Ullswater, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District. This lake is very close to our hearts as Dan and I honeymooned here, spending a gloriously sunny week in the iconic Duke of Portland Boathouse. We now return here regularly with the kids in the van, but it’s a rather different experience. It was blowing a hoolie last time we were there in November. Standard!
6. Hoathwaite NT Campsite, Coniston
Hoathwaite National Trust Campsite is the perfect place to pitch for swimming in the stunning Coniston Water, the third largest lake in the Lake District.
We used this campsite as our base when I took part in the Aquasphere Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End in June last year. Epic experience!
Let me know in the comments if you know of others that we should make a beeline for in 2023.
Please refer to the Outdoor Swimming Society website, particularly the Lakes & Quarries page, for some sound advice before embarking on these swims.
Wild Swimming Kit Recommendations
This is where your kit list earns its keep:
- Dryrobe or equivalent — using it for its intended purpose, just saying!
- Neoprene swim socks
- Flip flops / sliders
- Microfibre towel
- Changing mat
For a full list of the kit we use as well as a few discount codes, have a look at our full kitlist.