Call me strange but i have a thing for swimming in lakes and rivers. I'm relatively new to the area and would really appreciate hearing about people's favourite spots. The Peak District must be full of them, right?... but so far everywhere Ive looked seems far too privately owned, intensively fished, heavily protected etc etc. Are there any quiet places left , or even more public ones where it is considered acceptable to take a dip?

Thankyou!

The stream at Slippery Stones at the top of Howden Reservoir (map here (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=417000&Y=395000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&out.x=5&out.y=13&scale=10000)) has a brilliant plunge pool - it's not very big, but it is very deep, you can jump off the rocks at the edge and not touch the bottom, the pool itself is about 10ft across by about 20ft long, and there's a little waterfall at the top where you can sit under the stream, much better than a jacuzzi! An absolute must for the summer months.

Near the top of Cader Idris in North Wales is a hole left by ice errosion. It looks like a mountain with a volcano at the top with one side of the mountain missing. In this hole is a small lake of very clear water.

Also in the center of the isle of Arran, in the Irish Sea, are a lot of mountain streams with deep pools. Down side - it cost about £65 to take a car on the ferry and it's dam cold.

Padley Gorge near Fox House (Peak District).

About 100 metres down stream from open picnic area there's a pool on a ledge. Stream runs in then out. It is pretty deep!

Theres always people swimming in thr river at Chatsworth I used to swim there when I was younger. Also theres a large mill pond about 50 foot square in the woods just up from Deepcar still swim there in the summer.:thumbsup: :clap: :cool:

Paddling or mucking around in water is perfectly understandable. However every hot spell seems to bring with it at least one news story of some-one swimming in deep water, getting into difficulties and drowning. I wander around quite a few open waterways and have often seen the signs warning of the dangers of swimming in such places, let's just hope I don't see any stories about Sheffield Forum members drowning.

Treeton Dyke is my favourite. Only best to go when there are no speedboats though.

Originally posted by mrchinnery
Near the top of Cader Idris in North Wales is a hole left by ice errosion. It looks like a mountain with a volcano at the top with one side of the mountain missing. In this hole is a small lake of very clear water. I've been there! But I've not swam in it.

When I went up there it was icy and we cut steps around the area to walk around it. Excellent fun and a bit worrying at time, but I definately didn't want to swim in it at that time :D

Originally posted by Bikertec
Theres always people swimming in thr river at Chatsworth I used to swim there when I was younger. I did this last summer when it was extremely hot. Very good fun and busy, but I ended up with an ear infection from the water, so I won't be going back this year:|

Hathersage open air pool is, or used to be good, I haven't been for a good few years now but it was always fun.

The one time not to go is on a Sunday though as it's for local people only on a Sunday aparantly (there's a joke there somewhere :D)

We used to go swimming in the dams in Riverlin, but it's a bit dangerous as there is all sorts of crap in them.
My dad used to go swimming in the canal (or so he says).

What is it about dads? they always tell you off for doing anything approaching risky and then when you get above a certain age they regail you with stories of their childhood spent swimming in canals.

We usually go swimming on hot days out in Derwent, at a pool known as Slippery Stones - the water is OK really.

Just take the A57 out towards Manchester, wait until you cross the reservoir and then take the right turn towards Fairholmes. On weekdays, you can keep driving for a few miles, park up, and take a 15 minute walk to the pool. It's 12 - 14ft deep at its deepest so you can dive in no problem.

Haven't figured out how to post links here yet, but there's a map here :

http://www.ginger-mtb.co.uk/ladybower_round.htm

There's quite a few places to swim in the Peaks, but not as many as you might think considering its size, compared to some other National Parks I can think of.

Cheers for the tips guys - slippery stones in particular sounds awesome: stream, plunge pool, diving: just hope we get the hot days to go with it.

Ive never been ill from wild swimming yet, touch wood. Dont know how much more dangerous it is than a swimming pool - especially when i think back to what i used to "add" to the water as a kid.

The whole Health and safety, nanny state thing is a big issue for wild swimmers - check out

http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/

to see quite how petty things have got: local councils banning outright bathing in places people have used for centuries on safety grounds etc etc.

could someone put up a pic of slippery stones? i tried googling it - but the pics ive found dont really look lke its possible to swim there. Is it really possibkle to swim or just paddle? does it tend to get busy when its hot??cheers in advance...

Originally posted by hoegarden
could someone put up a pic of slippery stones? i tried googling it - but the pics ive found dont really look lke its possible to swim there. Is it really possibkle to swim or just paddle? does it tend to get busy when its hot??cheers in advance...

Slippery Stones itself is only suitable for paddling, although I have swum in the lake/river just below it as you are walking up to Slippery Stones.

is it generally regarded as safe? or does it go without saying that because its a river its not safe - no exceptions??

We used to go swimming out past Rivelin, on the left hand side of the road theres a brilliant spot for diving in, really deep (and extremely cold!)

You can park nearby too, I just can't put my finger on it exactly

I wouldn't advise skinny dipping though even though it's summer..

Some wild animal might knick off with your clothes and then you'd be stranded in the wild, buck naked...

Although I suppose to some folk that could be quite fun, lol.

Slippery Stones, only deep enough to paddle in?

Rubbish!

We sailed a raft in there once!

Sheffield Triathlon Club, friday nights 18.30 at Underbank res. Bring a towel and £2. Cheers, see you tonight.

We usually go swimming on hot days out in Derwent, at a pool known as Slippery Stones - the water is OK really.

Just take the A57 out towards Manchester, wait until you cross the reservoir and then take the right turn towards Fairholmes. On weekdays, you can keep driving for a few miles, park up, and take a 15 minute walk to the pool. It's 12 - 14ft deep at its deepest so you can dive in no problem.

Haven't figured out how to post links here yet, but there's a map here :

http://www.ginger-mtb.co.uk/ladybower_round.htm

There's quite a few places to swim in the Peaks, but not as many as you might think considering its size, compared to some other National Parks I can think of.


I have been up the track from the end of the road that runs up the side of Howdan to the little bridge at the top. How far is it from the bridge?, is it down stream towards the reservoir or further up stream towards the open moors?. I have had difficulty in finding it. Please help!

could someone put up a pic of slippery stones? i tried googling it - but the pics ive found dont really look lke its possible to swim there. Is it really possibkle to swim or just paddle? does it tend to get busy when its hot??cheers in advance...


Had a quick look on Google and came up with this picture http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2398/ss0yx.jpg

Im not too sure if you can have a real swim in that area.

Had a quick look on Google and came up with this picture http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2398/ss0yx.jpg

Im not too sure if you can have a real swim in that area.

Thanks for that.

Thats the little bridge at the top that crosses the river. The plunge pool is supposed to be not that far from here but is it downstream towards the reservoir or upstream towards the country side as i asked in my original post??


Any ideas people!!!!????

Treeton Dyke is my favourite. Only best to go when there are no speedboats though.

this is not a great place tho, loads of weeds underwater along with the burnt out cars and god knows what, theres been a few fatals there due to getting stuck in weeds, not advised!

The stream at Slippery Stones at the top of Howden Reservoir (map here (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=417000&Y=395000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&out.x=5&out.y=13&scale=10000)) has a brilliant plunge pool - it's not very big, but it is very deep, you can jump off the rocks at the edge and not touch the bottom, the pool itself is about 10ft across by about 20ft long, and there's a little waterfall at the top where you can sit under the stream, much better than a jacuzzi! An absolute must for the summer months.

I've spent many a summer day at Slippery Stones. It's a great place to take a dip. I didn't know it was generally known as slippery stones though, i thought our bunch made it up. You learn something new everyday.

any ideas people???????

Treeton Dyke, especially mid week - bombing off the jetties at the top end! I wish I was there now!

Treeton Dyke is my favourite. Only best to go when there are no speedboats though.im a member there,its full of leeches and devils coachmen,i wouldnt swim in it............

im a member there,its full of leeches and devils coachmen,i wouldnt swim in it............

I thought that was a rumour put about by the ski club because they didn't like anyone else using the water!

nope, that water is rough! its ok if ur in a wetsuit (or a cage) haha. It looks fairly clean but i dont think it would be hard to get caught in some of them weeds. I didnt think it was allowed to swim in the dyke either? But saying that you do see many a waterskier down there so it cant be that hazerdous, but there are definately better lakes to swim in.

what about taking a dip in the don its supposed to be really clean these days

Inadvertantly swum in the Don a few times, due to kayaking. Not had any adverse effects and we're a bit keen on looking for reactions, due to weils disease

Try the bath

any ideas people ?

it's UPSTREAM from the bridge in the picture.

if you head out to curbar gap crossroads and turn left there is ramsley reservoir, we used to use it for canoeing and it is fairly secluded and lovely clean water.

I wouldn't advise skinny dipping though even though it's summer..

Some wild animal might knick off with your clothes and then you'd be stranded in the wild, buck naked...

Although I suppose to some folk that could be quite fun, lol.

sounds fun to me rich:hihi: :hihi:

Can anyone tell me if any of these places are within walking distance of a bus route?
Ta

Dam flask in February.
Never again.

what about taking a dip in don He's supposed to be really clean these days
I dont think Don would be impressed though.

sounds fun to me rich:hihi: :hihi:

You WOULD find it fun, silly little "dark side" barmpot :loopy:

Can anyone tell me if any of these places are within walking distance of a bus route?
Ta

I'm meant to be to have organised somewhere for my girlfriend and I to go for a swim after she finishes work today. Neither of us have a car so I( would also appreciate it if somebody could tell me the nearest good place to swim that is close to a bus route. I'm new to Sheffield and live in the Hunters Bar area. Thanks guys.

Please save me from the look of disappointment I'm bound to recieve.

I'm meant to be to have organised somewhere for my girlfriend and I to go for a swim after she finishes work today. Neither of us have a car so I( would also appreciate it if somebody could tell me the nearest good place to swim that is close to a bus route. I'm new to Sheffield and live in the Hunters Bar area. Thanks guys.

King Edward's baths is close to Hunter's Bar.

There is a bus that goes right out to the turnaround where you can park for the slippery stones pool that is talked about so much here. It would still be a 15 minute walk but probably well worth it with the weather beign so hot these days. I am not sure if the bus runs on weekdays though.

Ben.

You WOULD find it fun, silly little "dark side" barmpot :loopy:

you dont hold back do you richard.

If you're lookign for a bit of a thrill while you swim- I suggest swimming at the Derwent Valley Reservoir.. I went there about a year ago and got chased away by angry fisherman.. then drove around tot he other side where there are clearings and we swam there.. it was really peaceful and you feel really at one with nature!! loads of sheep and stuff (not swimming though)

Slippery stones

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2398/ss0yx.jpg

Anyone know if you can drive and park up this far up the road?

Or failing that how close you can get with a car?