Swim Escape - Derwent - Indulge your love of wild swimming in the stunning Lake District and escape with us for a weekend of guided dips and walks around the picturesque town of Kewsick. The highlight of the trip will be to swim the length of Derwent Water, 5km, a bucket list swim for keen swim explorers. 

Relax, meet new people, cosy up with a cuppa and a piece of cake whilst we swap swim stories, learn new skills and enjoy fresh mountain air.

Mountain lovers and swim coaches, Jude and Paul will share some of their most special swim spots and journeys with you over the 3 days. From our base, Cumbria House, in the heart of Keswick, we will journey to at least 2 of the local lakes for some quite spectacular swims with the opportunity to undertake a supported end to end swim of Derwent Water.  All swims will be fully supported and will go at a social rather than race pace. This is a great chance to complete a longer swim in a unique way.

Planned Itinerary:

Thursday 13^th June       

Make your way to Keswick and gather at Cumbria House for 6pm, meet the full team and talk through our plans for the weekend ahead.  Hot drinks on arrival. Guests to make own arrangements for evening meal from the many choices in Keswick.

Friday 14^th June

Our first full day of swimming and walking is planned to include the two most local lakes; Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake.  The morning swim will be in the shadow of Skiddaw in Bassenthwaite Lake to loosen the muscles after the journey and take in the grandness of the location plus the opportunity to look round Mirehouse. In the afternoon, a first look and dip into Derwent Water will be sure to inspire us and get ready for Saturday’s end to end swim.  In 'alpine lodge' style we will have afternoon cake and hot drinks available in the guest house where we can relax, share swim stories and a great chance to chat all things swimming, walking with Paul and Jude.

Saturday 15th June

The main event - a chance to tick off an iconic swim and swim the 5km length of Derwent Water.  It’s a beautiful, relatively quiet lake with very limited motorboat traffic. A gentle 5 km lakeside walk from Cumbria House in the shadow of impressive mountains will provide a beautiful back drop as we make our way to the swim start.  The journey is one not to be rushed so we plan to take an exploratory break on Rampsholme Island one of the remote uninhabited islands for some restorative cake and drinks before completing the remainder of the swim. Each island has its own fascinating history and it can feel thrilling to set wade ashore and see Derwent from a different perspective. Swimmers can continue the remaining distance back to Crow Park, Keswick completing the swim, or a shorter swim to Calf Close Bay allowing clients to walk the remaining distance into Keswick and the comfort of Cumbria House.  

Sunday 16th June         

We need to check out from Cumbria House by 10am but there is plenty of time for a morning dip or hike at one of the many local options. Fond farewells to everyone and head home.

Please note: 

This is a sample itinerary and may need to be revised or changed based upon weather conditions and other prevailing factors.  This will be a safety and conditions led decision.  The plan will be shared and discussed at breakfast each morning.

Safe Hands:

Both swim guides, Paul and Jude are qualified open water swim coaches, RLSS lifeguards, outdoor first aiders and walking and mountain leaders – you will be in safe hands in an environment and terrain we know well. 

Price:

The fully inclusive per person price is £575.  This will be for a single bed in a shared twin room.  A supplement of £60 will assure you sole use of a room – no need to share, we only have a couple of these available (This is an add-on in the checkout process)

Non swimming partners or friends can come and need to book in the same way.  If you would like a double room for you and a partner please let us know once booked to ensure room allocation takes this into account.

(A minimum of 6 guests are needed for the trip to go ahead, so feel free to invite a friend to share the fun with.

A deposit of £287 (50%) is needed to secure a place on this trip and the balance must be paid for no later than 8 weeks before the trip starts. See our Terms and Conditions for details.

What’s included:

• 3 nights’ accommodation - selection of single / twin or double rooms (Thu/Fri/ Sat)
• Group sole use of lounges, dining room and kitchen
• 2 x professionally guided walks and swims on Friday
• Guided walk and swim on Saturday
• Swim Derwent badge to proudly show your friends back home
• Guided walk or swim on Sunday morning
• Afternoon tea / cake on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 
• 1 x home cooked evening meal on Friday
• 3 x Basic breakfast ingredients for a self-serve continental breakfast
• 2 x Provisions to make a packed lunch on Friday and Saturday
• Almost endless tea / coffee while at Cumbria House
• Drying room for wet wetsuits and other gear.
• Changing robes and tow floats are available to borrow if required
• Free off-street parking at Cumbria House
• A suggested kit list will be sent to you on booking.

What’s not included:

• Travel to and from Keswick (one swim will also require transport)
• Snacks and any coffee shop visits
• Thursday and Saturday night meals and drinks

Is this weekend for you?

This trip is perfect for keen open water swimmers who want to dip into the awe-inspiring Lakeland scenery, enjoy taking on a challenge and appreciate having support from experienced guides to do so rather than take part in a race style event. 

Swimming 5km requires a good level of fitness and stamina and it is expected that swimmers are able to take on this challenge and complete it. 5km is certainly in the grasp of most regular swimmers with some consistent training in the build up. This is a great challenge to put in the diary and train for. Look out for special coached longer swim sessions Jude and Paul will be putting on. Please get in touch if you would like to know more or are keen to come along but not sure where to start.

Wetsuits are be required to be worn for the 5km Derwent swim. For the other swims and dips feel free to wear wetuits or skins.

Guided walks will be in lowland areas and a reasonable level of walking fitness is required. 

There is also the opportunity for a non-swimming partner or friend to join you.  Most swims are visible from the trail and can be combined with local walks and treks to cater for all.  

Still unsure?  Why not come on a coached or guided swim with us before you book or get in touch and ask questions. 

Accommodation:

The base for our adventures will be the lovely Cumbria House in Keswick https://www.cumbriahouse.co.uk/self-catering/

Located on a quiet street in the heart of Keswick, a couple of minutes walk from the town centre, its bars, cafés, restaurants and shops, and has great access to the surrounding lakes and fells.  We will have exclusive use of the whole house; eight bedrooms each with their own bathroom, a dining room, a large kitchen, two lounges, a utility room, drying room and south facing patio.  There is free super-fast wifi throughout and a large private off-street car park for seven cars.

Most rooms can be configured with one double bed or 2 singles.  There are a couple of double bed only rooms and a couple of single rooms.  If you are joining with someone and want, or are happy with, a double bed please let us know by email as this will help room allocation.  If you specifically want sole use of a room, ie not sharing, then a supplement will secure this and needs to be booked.  There are a limited number of these available - shown as an addon in the booking process.

Keswick is also home to many superb pubs and eateries, serving hearty, locally sourced culinary delights that will be there for us to sample on Thursday and Saturday night. 

Travel:

Keswick is easily accessible by road and the nearest train station is in Penrith about 30 mins away. If you are coming by train please let us know. We will do our best to connect everyone before the weekend to encoruage lift shares etc.

There is free off road parking for 7 cars at Cumbria House.