Wild Swimming with Kids in the Yorkshire Dales
Wild swimming in Buckden Beck waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales
Wild Swimming with kids
I’ll admit it, we have been bitten by the wild swimming bug over the last couple of years, and bloomin’ love it! Across the Yorkshire Dales there are lots of popular wild swimming spots, but when you are with the kids….. well I feel like it kinda changes the game a little bit!
But, there are so many mahoosive benefits that come from wild swimming, that the hassle is TOTALLY outweighed by the fun of it all. Ranging from the endorphin boost, to the physical improvement in circulation and alertness, to helping develop a child’s awareness of water safety and assessment of risk. Plus….. well it’s just bloody great isn’t it?!
Now. We are not in a MILLION YEARS going to profess to be experts in Wild Swimming, and 2022 - 2023 is the first year that I have swum all year round. But we do love it, and we think you will too…. because a walk with the promise of a swim seems to be one of the best whinge busting motivations EVER (I just won’t mention the walk back….)
So here are some of our favourite kid friendly wild swim spots and some of our top tips too!
For more in depth and definitely more expert advice than me, then do check out the Wild Swimming website, which is brimming with tips and safety advice and also the water safety advice from the Royal Life Saving Society too about swimming in wild water. A great Facebook page is North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue too who share regular tips for being safe in wild water during the Summer.
One last thing. These photos are all taken after periods of dry weather, where the water levels are low and currents are not strong.
Phew. Now I can sleep soundly at night!
A wild swim in Janet’s Foss in Malham, the Yorkshire Dales
Top 5 Wild Swimming spots for Kids in the Yorkshire Dales
I will start off with a reminder that these are our top 5 wild swimming spots for KIDS! And whilst some will offer a full swim opportunity for the grown ups, some will offer a ‘shallow end of the pool’ style dip.
Don’t worry, I’ll tell you which is which!
Janet’s Foss
Malham, Southern Yorkshire Dales National Park
I’ll start with the most obvious, and the busiest. I hate busy-ness, but I love Janet’s Foss for a swim, so you can see the quandary I’m in!
But it is an absolutely epic spot for kids. Why?
Well, firstly Janet is the Queen of the Fairies….. so for kids, this spot really is a real life fairy tale. The water is turquoise and crystal clear (when it is untouched) and this is pretty rare for the Dales! The woodland around it in the sunshine creates dappled light that twinkles on the water. There is a waterfall, and a cave behind it (where Janet lives) and above it too …. and well, it is as good as it sounds.
It’s not mega deep on an average day (although deep enough for an adult swim) the currents are mild to non existent, and yeah. It’s great. (Be aware that currents will of course change with the level of rain)
Which is why it is heaving!
Yup. Sadly, although Janet’s Foss is named as a secret waterfall by some, the secret is well and truly out. So in all honesty, it’s unlikely you will get a swim here alone.
But do not let it put you off! Get there early in the morning for the best experience. Not like 10am, but EARLY early. At that time, the water is not all smooshed up by the day swimmers and paddlers, and it is peaceful. Chilly mind, but you’re more likely to be almost alone then.
OR in the evening, preferably out of a school holiday. You will probably get more cloudy water (just from the sediment that’s been stirred up throughout the day) but it will be quieter.
So yeah. Janet is ace! You can find out how to walk here on our Janet’s Foss page, just tap the link!
West Burton Falls upper and lower falls are fabulous swim and paddle spots
West Burton Falls, Wensleydale
Eastern Yorkshire Dales National Park
The village of West Burton is so lucky! It has an awesome set of falls! Just imagine having this swim spot 5 minutes from your front door…. because it really is that easy to access from the centre of the village.
The upper falls, Cauldron Falls, are a beautiful cascade into a deep shady plunge pool and you can walk right up to the waterfall itself (or swim obviously!)
The lower is more of a rocky tumble into the pool. Both are a great swim and paddle!
In the shot above is the lower pool, which you can see is shallow enough to paddle at one end, then it deepens as it gets to the drop of the lower falls and to the cave visible in the shot behind the rope swing.
In average conditions, the pools are a great sheltered spot for a kid friendly swim as well as the grown ups too with minimal currents to content with.
Find out how to get here by reading our West Burton Falls walk. You can either head there straight from the village, or take a wander first!
Swimming in Catrigg Force South Yorkshire Dales
Catrigg Force
Stainforth, South Yorkshire Dales National Park
This one is another popular spot on a sunny day, so be prepared. You may not be alone! It is well worth it though, and it is great for an adult swim too. It is also far FAR quieter than its cousin Stainforth Force, which is heaving on a sunny day. Probably on account of the fact that you have to walk a decent way uphill to get there.
The plunge pool at Catrigg Force is fairly deep, so most children will be out of their depth, but there are rocks around the edge to perch on, and there are shallower spots for a paddle too. Just bear this in mind for the less confident swimmers.
Also, the rocks around the falls are remarkably slippery. Like some of the slipperiest ever, so water shoes are a must!
Other than that, this super shady spot is perfect on a sunny day (or any day for that matter) and with it being a nice enclosed pool, there are minimal currents to contend with.
The details of the walk to the falls can be found on our Catrigg Force page
Swimming in one of the waterfalls on Buckden Beck
Buckden Beck Waterfalls
Central/ Eastern Yorkshire Dales National Park
Now this place is awesome.
The plunge pool underneath one of the waterfalls on Buckden Beck in Upper Wharfedale is shallow, but just about deep enough for an adult swim. Only just though, as the water is about adult waist height.
But this does make it a top pool for a younger swimmer! The pool is surrounded by a ledge that’s perfect to sit on to acclimatise yourself to the water temperature, with the centre being out of depth for my (at the time) 6 year old. Another great kid friendly factor is that it is small. Which means on a sunny day, it warms up a bit more, and you are never far from the edge.
Find out how to walk to these falls on our Buckden Beck Falls page.
Another of our favourite spots is the River Wharfe upstream from Kettlewell Bridge.
The River Wharfe at Kettlewell
Central/ Eastern Yorkshire Dales National Park
Kettlewell is one of our favourite spots in the Yorkshire Dales and the river there is a marvellous spot for a dip. Now this is our only river spot on our top 5 so be aware that there are currents present to contend with.
But the reason why we love this one, is because there is a lovely shallow section, with varying river depths at the point where Kettlewell Beck meets the River (it’s the spot behind the car park, and the Racehorses Hotel). What 3 Words is following.spinners.myself.
The river here is mainly paddling territory, but there is some depth for younger swimmers to swim. It’s not deep enough for an adult swim (unless you want to scrape your knees!) BUT. There is a spot just a teeny bit upstream (and I mean like 10 metres) where the water is deep enough for an adult swim. So that’s why we love Kettlewell for a family swim, as it has OPTIONS!
Plus is has ice cream and a park! If you want to know more kid friendly details about visiting Kettlewell, take a look at our Visit Kettlewell with Kids guide.
Keeping safe whilst wild swimming with the kids
I’m a MUM! So of course I won’t let you get away without Mumming you first!
BE CAREFUL! Wild swimming is fun, but it is not without risks. Oh no.
So here are the safety bits. Specifically Wild Swimming with kids safety bits. And as I’ve already said, we are not proclaiming to be experts, just enthusiasts, so head to the links at the top of the blog for the real expert safety advice.
Check your depths
I read an interesting set of statistics from West Yorkshire police about water safety, which included a breakdown of causes of fatalities in water. A significant chunk were caused by folk jumping or diving in unsafely shallow areas. A lot of these fatalities were also teenagers. So check your depths before you get in. Be aware after long periods of dry weather, a place where you jumped in previously, may not be a deep as you remember. This is particularly relevant during the summer months.
Check for hidden hazards
This is kinda linked to the above. Sometimes you don’t know what lurks below. Most of our suggestions above are easy, as you will be able to see the bottom clearly. But Catrigg and Cauldron falls can be dark, and a standard Yorkshire Tea style murk (it’s the peat and iron content, not that the water is foul) so test it out yourself before the kids get in.
In fact ALWAYS be aware of the conditions before allowing children to enter. What may look safe from the side may not be in reality and underwater hidden branches or maybe something that has been swept down the river in more stormy conditions can create changes in the current, or worse, things to get caught on.
Don’t swim in reservoirs
Without getting into the controversy that surrounds swimming in Reservoirs from the Wild Swimming community, from a parental perspective, it’s a big no.
No, not just for the quality of the Yorkshire drinking water! Reservoirs may look serene and ideal for a swim, but you have literally no idea what lies beneath and also they are VAST. They won’t warm up, unlike a shallow tarn, a shallower river or a waterfall plunge pool, and like it or not, cold water can shock the body, and can kill. FACT.
If you want to get an idea about what potentially lies underneath the surface of a reservoir and just how quickly the shores drop away to an insane level of deep water in certain places, check out our Thruscross Reservoir walk, showing the reservoir in drought. There are submerged villages, rusty nails (no kidding) felled tree stumps, not to mention the reservoir machinery that can create abnormal currents and all sorts that can cause you bother.
So in our opinion? Don’t bother.
Heard of Bio-Security and Cross Contamination?
This is all about the introduction of alien species to new environments. In the Yorkshire Dales, the White Clawed Crayfish are under threat by the non-native signal crayfish. They shouldn’t be here, but have been introduced to the waterways by people and equipment. They are decimating the native species.
It means we have to be super careful about using clean and dry equipment and water shoes. You you wish to dip in numerous places, take a clean costume, towel and shoes to all.
Thruscross Reservoir in drought, revealing the steep sides and submerged village. There are also 6 inch long rusty spikes jutting out of crumbling walls, rusty tools, gate posts walls and more hidden under the water.
Know your strength
This one is mainly applicable to river swimming although after heavy rain a waterfall current can be equally as powerful.
Have you ever swum against a strong current? It’s hard work and is the swimming equivalent of being on a treadmill! So know your currents and know your kids’ strength. Stick to shallower water where they can reach the ground and stand up if they need a break. Also be aware that waterfalls can create downward drag and also pack a powerful wind punch too, which when powerful could pull you under. That’s why with kids, after a period of dry weather is best. Sure the waterfalls won’t be as spectacular, but they are safer.
Swim with people
I do swim on my own with the kids now they’re older, but only ever in areas with phone reception and that are near easy reach of other people! Swimming is however better with friends (plus it’s far more fun!) There are plenty of groups set up for Wild Swimming on Facebook, many of whom have regular dip meet ups if you need to get a bit of safety in numbers!
Have a plan, a firm plan and bear in mind that there is often limited phone reception in remote areas.
Know the weather and the water
The River Wharfe is a particularly fast rising river, and after heavy rain can rise quickly.
Also, kids will feel the cold more quickly than adults, so bear this in mind if the water temp is cooler. During the late Sping, the temperature tends to be somewhere in the region of 10-15 degrees. The lower end of this still feels very cold and brings with it the risk of hypothermia. In Summer, the temperature can rise to be warmer up to around 20 degrees. Unless it’s an extremely hot day, I’ve always found that having an extra layer to hand helps warm up in a swim. The kids have only ever swum up to the beginning of October, and even then, it was for a matter of minutes.
Always supervise kids around water.
Just that.
Phew! That was a long one!
Got bored? Read it over again!
Think that’s a full and complete verse of everything you need to know? Nope! These are our tips, head to the links at the top to find out the true expert info.
What stuff do I need for Wild Swimming with kids?
This section of the blog contains affiliate links
Well technically. Nothing.
I mean other than the obvious swimming costume, towel and flotation aids!
But we have a few pieces of kit that we LOVE and have never looked back afterwards!
Water Shoes
I find these invaluable. They make stepping over stones less painful; they provide extra grip and warmth too. The kids use Ubfen wet suit shoes. They are easy to get on, are lightweight and have an extra grippy sole too. You can get then from Amazon, and here’s the link for you to take a look. We have just bought our second pair, as the kids outgrew the first. They are still going strong though after a LOT of use so are being handed down to a new home with plenty of life left in them. (As an Amazon associate, I gain commission from any qualifying purchases).
Our Two Bare Feet change robes
Invest in a change robe
Literally the best investment ever, I now have three versions of the change robe! One super lightweight and fluffy that packs down small into a rucksack, one towel robe that’s a bit heavier, and one ultimate super warm dry robe for winter swims.
The kids also have two of their own (because they kept stealing mine!)
What are they? Well, ours are affectionately called ‘the dressing room’, as that’s pretty much what it is! It’s a massive hooded towelling/ microfibre robe, that goes over your head, and provides you with enough room to get completely dressed and undressed without anybody seeing your naked butt!
We have three brands, the classic but pretty expensive Dry Robe, a Dip and Dales Co. lightweight robe, and the kids have Two Bare Feet robes. All are great and we’d recommend them all.
Lightweight towels
We bought our microfibre towels from Dock and Bay and they are great. They pack down really small so they easily fit in a rucksack and dry super quickly too. They are far less bulky than the towelling version and are also sand resistant (for a sea swim!) Here’s the link for the version we have.
Wetsuits
These are great on a cooler day, as they provide an extra layer of warmth. The kids’ wetsuits are from Mountain Warehouse and they have a full length and short version too. They are great, and whilst they won’t stop all of the cold, they do help!
Flotation vests
We like these better than armbands, as they a less bulky when worn and I feel like it gives me more of a feeling of confidence with the kids in the water when I’m on my own. My eldest can swim, but she still wears the vest for extra safety! They also have clips that go under the crotch area to stop them from floating up around the kids’ faces. The only downside is that they are quite bulky to carry, however we usually clip them to the outside of the rucksack, rather than trying to fit them inside. You can find the link for the vests we use here (Affiliate Link).
So there you go! Our little guide to wild swimming with kids in the Yorkshire Dales!
Between 2022 and 2023, I have embarked on my first year of swimming all year around. So contrary to what was originally written in the blog back in August 2022, I have now OFFICIALLY cracked the ice with my bum.
If you are interested to know a little more about why I started my Cold Water Swimming journey, you can check out the blog!
This blog was originally written in 2022 and has now been updated in 2023.
More Wild Swims Incoming!
We are currently working on our new list of favourite kid friendly wild swim spots after a year of reccying!
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