We love a campsite with direct access to open water. Here’s a selection of our favourite campsites with lakes, llyns and lochs on the doorstep — 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.
Dan loves to surf, so inland lake trips require a certain amount of negotiation on my part. This is my list — hard-won, personally tested, and growing.
1. Cornish Tipi Holidays, Cornwall
This eco-friendly campsite is set in a stunning location in Cornwall, surrounded by rolling hills and woodland. 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. 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 here 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, Llyn 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 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, 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, Luss Campsite is a very conveniently located stopover when travelling further 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 swim was a rather brief, chilly but exhilarating experience. It was breathtaking in every sense of the word.
4. Fforest Fields, Mid Wales
This family-friendly campsite 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 — Dan and I honeymooned here, spending a gloriously sunny week in the iconic Duke of Portland Boathouse. We now return 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 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. Epic experience.
7. Miller Ground, Windermere — the budget option
Strictly speaking this isn’t a campsite — it’s a free lay-by and paid car park on Rayrigg Road on the eastern shore of Windermere, just minutes from the village. But if you’re in a campervan and happy with an overnight stopover rather than a full campsite pitch, Miller Ground is a genuinely brilliant and very cheap option.
There’s a free roadside lay-by with direct gate access down to the lake, or the Rayrigg Meadow pay-and-display car park which has public toilets. From either, it’s a short flat walk to the water and the public jetties — perfect for stepping straight in. The views across to the Langdales are stunning and it’s far quieter than Bowness. There’s a defibrillator at the car park and throw rings on the shoreline. Early mornings are magical here — you’ll often find local open water groups already in the water.
Park up, sleep, swim at sunrise. Job done.
8. Glanllyn Lakeside or Pant yr Onnen, Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid)
Llyn Tegid — Bala Lake — is the largest natural lake in Wales, set within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and an International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s seriously underrated as a wild swimming destination, especially given how accessible it is from the Midlands and North West.
Two campsites sit right on the shore with direct water access. Glanllyn is the larger of the two with hard standing pitches and a private shingle beach — good for campervans. Pant yr Onnen on the southern shore is smaller, quieter and allows campfires, with pitches that lead directly to the lake. Both are ideal for wild swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. The mountain backdrop of the Aran and Arenig ranges makes for one of the most dramatic swim settings in Wales.
Water safety — please read before you swim
Open water swimming is wonderful but it carries real risks. A few non-negotiables before you get in:
- Never swim alone. Always let someone on shore know your plan.
- Enter the water slowly — cold water shock is a genuine danger, even in summer. UK lake temperatures can be as low as 5°C in winter and rarely exceed 18°C in peak summer.
- Know how to float. If you get into difficulty, roll onto your back, spread your arms and legs, and float until you recover.
- Stay visible. A brightly coloured swim cap and a tow float make you visible to boats and other water users — essential on busy lakes like Windermere and Loch Lomond.
- Avoid swimming after heavy rain when water quality can drop significantly.
- Call 999 in an emergency — not 112, as 999 connects directly to Mountain Rescue and RNLI who cover inland waters.
For more detailed advice, the Outdoor Swimming Society website — particularly their Lakes & Quarries section — is essential reading.
What kit do you actually need?
The honest answer is: it depends entirely on whether you’re going in for a quick dip or swimming any meaningful distance. Here’s how we think about it:
For a dip — the short version
If you’re jumping off a jetty, wading in for five minutes or cooling off after a hike, you don’t need much. A swimsuit or shorts, a dryrobe or changing robe for afterwards (non-negotiable once you’ve had one), and some water shoes if the lake bed is rocky or pebbly. That’s it. Don’t overthink it.
For distance swimming — the longer version
If you’re planning to swim any meaningful distance — anything over 400m, or in water under around 15°C — the kit list grows:
- Wetsuit — a proper open water wetsuit, not a surfing one. Look for something 3–4mm with good flexibility through the shoulders. In UK lakes below 15°C, this isn’t optional.
- Brightly coloured swim cap — makes you visible. Wear two if it’s cold to retain heat.
- Tow float — clips to your waist and trails behind you. Essential on any lake with boat traffic, and doubles as something to hold onto if you need a rest.
- Goggles — open water goggles with UV protection and a tinted lens for sunny days.
- Neoprene gloves and socks — optional but worth it below 12°C, particularly for longer swims where extremities cool quickly.
- Dryrobe or changing robe — for warming up immediately after. The difference between feeling great and feeling dreadful post-swim often comes down to how quickly you can get warm and dry.
As a Level 2 swim teacher and Chill Swim Triple Crown marathon swimmer, Claire has tested most of what’s on the market. You can find the specific kit we actually use in our family campervan kit list — including our current wetsuit, tow float and dryrobe picks.
Planning a surf and swim trip?
If you’re planning a trip that mixes wild swimming with campsite hopping, our family campervan packing checklist covers everything you need to pack for a surf and swim trip — from wetsuits to kitchen kit. And if you’re specifically after campsites for surfing rather than swimming, our top UK surf campsites post covers the best beach-access sites we’ve stayed at.
Let us know in the comments if you know of other waterside campsites we should make a beeline for.