Top 5 Wild Swimming Spots in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire, often overshadowed by its northern counterpart, is home a hidden gem scene for the adventurous wild swimmer. Craving an invigorating dip in stunning scenery? Then look no further than the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs scattered across this striking region. Whether you're a seasoned wild swimmer seeking a challenging trek or a beginner looking for a gentle escape, South Yorkshire caters to every level. Remember, wild swimming comes with inherent risks. Always be honest with your abilities and choose a location that matches your experience level. Check out our Beginners Guide to Wild Swimming for our top safety tips and a gear guide. As South Yorkshire is rich with Reservoirs, it’s also worth checking out this specific Reservoir safety guide for things to watch out for. Here's a curated list of our top picks in South Yorkshire to get you started, each offering a unique experience.
Thrybergh Country Park, Rotherham
Thrybergh Country Park in Rotherham beckons with the tranquility of open water swimming. Plunge into a cool, refreshing lake surrounded by lush greenery, a world away from the everyday, and meet some amazing people along the way. This scenic haven offers a designated swimming area with easy access, perfect for both seasoned wild swimmers and curious beginners. After your dip, explore the park's network of trails, or simply soak up the sun on the shore.
Location: Doncaster Rd, Thrybergh, Rotherham S65 4NU
Parking: Outside the Lake Café will cost £1.80 for the full day
Great if you like:
- Still water
- Parkland views
- Picnic spots
- Easy access to different water depths
- Walking before and after your swim
Directions & Dip Tips:
As soon as you arrive you’ll see the water in front of you. There is a ramp and access points all around the lake for you to choose from. It’s best to change in or by your car as there are no changing facilities on site.
The Swim Your Swim group gathers here on a Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evenings all year round. If you fancy joining them, membership is free but you do have to fill in a form with next of kin information in case anyone runs into difficulty. They host swimming lessons and guided swims too if you want to brush up on your technique before taking to more remote and wilder swimming spots.
Warm Up & Refuel
There’s a café on site but the reviews aren’t particularly glowing. There are a handful of pubs a short drive away that offer a warm welcome with classic pub options you’d expect. Nothing fancy. The Earl Of Strafford is the closest.
Rivelin Valley Trail
The Rivelin Valley Trail offers a scenic and refreshing wild swimming experience with several spots perfect for a dip. The journey itself is an adventure, with hikers embarking on a scenic trek through the stunning Rivelin Valley. The deeper pools are perfect for a proper swim, while the shallower areas are ideal for paddling and enjoying the scenery. The surrounding woodland provides a peaceful escape from the city, making it a great choice for those seeking a tranquil wild swimming experience.
Location: Rivelin Valley Trail, Sheffield
Parking: Parking lot, Rails Rd, Sheffield S6 6GF
Great if you like:
- Waterfall swimming
- Woodland scenery
- A moderate physical challenge
- Walking before and after your swim
Directions & Dip Tips:
Come out of the car park and turn right. You’ll see a signpost for the train on your left up ahead. There are several access points to the River Rivelin but the best is a 5 minute walk along the clearly marked path with the river on your right. You come to a clearing and a naturally stepped path that curves down to the river. There is a great waterfall too but be aware of the strength of the current after heavy rainfall. There is paddling for little ones or a deeper swim towards the waterfall. We recommend checking out a digital map provider to find the route that best suits your ability and desired swimming spot. When entering the water, be cautious as some areas can be slippery. Water shoes are recommended for the stoney river beds and slippery rocks.
Warm Up & Refuel:
The Sportsman on Benty Lane is one of the closer options, serving lovely pub grub. There’s not a great deal on its doorstep as it’s one of the more remote wild swim spots on the list. We loved taking a backpack of tasty goodies and a flask of tea to enjoy after our swim as the scenery there is so beautiful.
Redmires Reservoirs, Sheffield
Redmires Reservoirs offer a series of three reservoirs on the edge of the stunning Peak District, each with its own unique character. The Upper Redmires Reservoir is the wildest of the three, with beautiful woodland surroundings. The Middle and Lower Redmires Reservoirs are more open, with stunning views across the Sheffield cityscape.
Location: Redmires Reservoirs, Sheffield
Parking: Road parking on Brown Hills Lane
Great if you like:
- Variety - choose between three reservoirs, each with a different feel.
- Still water
- Scenic views
- Stay close to the car
- Easy access to the water
Directions & Dip Tips:
After parking up on the road, head through the gate at the what3words location ///again.begun.envy. You’ll see the first reservoir up ahead. Each reservoir has its own access points. We took the plunge at the first one as it’s closest to the car, but feel free to explore the others too. Turn left with the reservoir on your right and you’ll see a bricked slope into the water. That’s your first access option. For the second, continue ahead around the water and you’ll come to some bushes, after that, there’s another entrance point. Enjoy the views up here and watch out for the kingfishers or even a white barn owl that’s been spotted there.
Warm Up & Refuel:
Back towards Sheffield in Fulwood, there’s a lovely café called Brook Coffee Rooms which will serve up a mighty bacon sandwich. Or Forge Dam Café is lovely on a hot day with homemade ice creams and a great selection of hot and cold options to feast on.
Royd Moor Reservoir
North of Sheffield, at the door to the Pennines you’ll find Royd Moor Reservoir. A beautiful spot with a path all the way around for walkers but without too much human traffic, so you’re likely to get a peaceful dip in this location. You’ll see signs for Scout Dike reservoir which is a nice option to add on a loop if you want to extend your walk before or after your swim.
Location: Royd Moor Rd, Thurlstone, Sheffield S36
Parking: Parking what three words: ///confining.windmills.fuzzy
Great if you like:
- A walk before and after the swim
- Remote dip spots
- Easy access to the water
- Wide range of access points
Directions & Dip Tips:
After parking up you’ll see a gate at the far end of the car park. Go through and follow the path. It’ll take 5-10mins to get to the water from here. From this point you have a good choice of spots to enter the water and it’s up to you whether you fancy a climb down a wooded bank or a flat bank with gradual access to the water. We like Owen’s entrance located at what three words location ///ambient.shut.estuaries. There’s also a nice pic nic spot at ///cropping.fish.once. Take a walk around and pick your preferred spot.
Warm Up & Refuel:
Yummy Yorkshire Ice cream Parlour a five minute drive away is a cosy spot in the colder months but with plenty of outdoor seating when the sun’s out. Brisket baguettes and Middle Eastern mezzes sit side by side on their delicious menu. As the name suggests they also have a huge selection of ice creams made with milk from the cows on the farm on site. Discover interesting flavours like treacle pudding, Eton mess, lemon meringue pie, marmalade, and liquorice ice cream, as well as all the classics.
Agden Reservoir
Winding through the lush green of Sheffield’s seven hills, you’ll find another reservoir that’s offers a peaceful haven for a cool dip. A short drive from either Rivelin or Redmires, this beauty is just as worthy.
Location: What three words: ///press.yarn.foil
Parking: Park up on the side of Smithfield Lane anywhere around here: what three words: ///moods.volunteered.tides
Great if you like:
- Staying close to your car
- Quiet dip spots
- Easy access to the water
- Wide range of access points
Directions & Dip Tips:
After parking up on the road, head towards the inlet to the reservoir. To your left you’ll see a well-trodden path that runs adjacent to Smithfield Lane back towards Sheffield. Follow that path through the pine trees and the reservoir will open up on your right. Depending on the water levels, you’ll see a bricked slope leading into the water, providing the perfect place to get in. Use ///press.yarn.foil to find the exact spot. Water shoes give you more confidence underfoot even though the bricks serve as a kind of ladder, it’s advised in case they’re wet and slippery.
Warm Up & Refuel:
Agden is near the beautiful, sleepy village of Low Bradfield. This historic spot is like something out of an Emily Bronte novel and is home to The School Rooms. A café, restaurant, coffee house and bar depending on what time of the day you visit. A fantastic menu full of choice and a cosy setting to warm up.
Swimming groups in South Yorkshire
Two gated wild swimming communities in the area, rich with other dip spots and great sources of information on access, by-laws, and the swimming community are SOUP Community - Sheffield OUtdoor Plungers and KAPOWS - Kirklees And Penistone Outdoor & Wild Swimmers – both facebook groups that have a simple questionnaire application to gain access to their pages.
