A gentle pool at the bottom of a hidden waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales has been recommended among the UK’s best spots for wild swimming.

The pool beneath the falls at Catrigg Force, located just outside of Stainforth near Settle is the ideal place if you want to “relax and bob along on a slow current” on a hot summer's day.

The Telegraph’s Jack Hudson revealed getting to the pool is “like strolling into a postcard of the Yorkshire Dales”.

Commenting on his guide to wild swimming across the UK, Jack said: “These are the waters we go to when the world feels too small, or when we want to trade the malady of the workplace for the wild. If our homes are still castles, think of these swim spots like stony chapels. They offer shaded banks for us to sit and ponder life and cool depths to plunge into when the mercury soars. 

“For this list, I’ve mined the wisdom of fellow swimmers and used a water safety website to rate the water sources from sufficient to excellent. Of course, plenty of you will plant watery flags in spots that go unmentioned, but wherever you are in our great isles, you should be able to find a pond, beach, lake or river calling out for your best and most inelegant dive on a summer’s day.”

See all the top wild swimming spots across the UK here.

What did The Telegraph’s Jack Hudson say about Catrigg Force?

The swimming expert wrote: “Swims don’t always need an element of discomfort to be memorable. Sometimes you just want to relax and bob along on a slow current.

“This is possible at Catrigg Force above Stainforth village in North Yorkshire. Hidden in a gorge, these falls cascade over limestone and clatter into a shallow pool below.

@hikingarounduk Catrigg Force is a hidden gem positioned in a secluded and beautiful woodland area. At the base of the waterfall is a plunge pool ideal for wild swimming. The main waterfall has a vertical drop of around 6 metres and can be viewed from a ledge further upstream.The most accessible and direct way to visit is starting at the village of Stainforth. You can also enjoy hiking from nearby Settle. Points of Interest: Settle Victoria Cave Catrigg Force Stainforth Force Stainforth About me: My name is Cailum, l've been hiking ever since I could walk and it's one of my favourite things to do. particularly like walking in the Lake District, Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales. Being a Yorkshireman, I'm based up north and regularly go out to explore. Now that I have a TikTok account, l'll bring my camera. #hike #hikersoftiktok #hiking #nature #mountain #travel #adventure #hikingadventures #fy #fyp #fypシ #fypage #foryoupage #wildswimming #openwaterswimming #waterfall #christmas ♬ In The Forest (Acoustic Indie No Copyright) - Instrumental - Lesfm & Olexy

“Getting to the pool is like strolling into a postcard of the Yorkshire Dales. Expect stone bridges, rugged paths and fairytale woodland.

“The falls are more impressive after rainfall when the cascades drop twice, flanked by steep gorge walls and the drooping canopy.

“The settled pool below might as well have ‘swim me’ scrawled across it in white froth.”

How to go wild swimming at Catrigg Force

Jack said: “Park in the nearby village of Stainforth and follow the path to your right until you spot a sign for Catrigg Force.”

The water quality at Catrigg Force is currently listed as “excellent”.

On Tripadvisor, someone who visited the pool at the bottom of Catrigg Force posted: “Definitely worth the hike up the hill to. See another of yorkshires waterfalls , great for photos and a dip in the pool if that’s your thing.”

'The settled pool below might as well have ‘swim me’ scrawled across it''The settled pool below might as well have ‘swim me’ scrawled across it' (Image: Tripadvisor)

Another review shared: “My first visit to Catrigg Force Waterfall and look forward to returning.

“Came here as part of a lovely circular walk starting in and returning to Settle and taking in Victoria Cave and Attermire Scar.

“The waterfall itself is hidden in a coppice of trees and the falls create a picturesque pool in which you can swim or simply picnic beside. Well worth a visit. Lovely.”

It’s important to note the area around Catrigg Force can be slippery after it’s rained, so people are advised to take extra care.

Recommended reading:

RNLI wild/open water swimming safety tips

The RNLI has shared the following summary for wild/opening water swimming safety tips:

  • Be prepared. Check the weather and tides, choose your spot, go with a buddy, have the right equipment
  • If in doubt, don’t go out. No matter how much preparation you do, or how experienced you are, if a swim doesn’t feel right there is no shame in getting out of the water straight away, or not entering
  • Make sure you acclimatise to avoid cold water shock
  • Be seen. Wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float
  • Stay within your depths
  • Float to live. If you get into difficulty in the water and are in shock, turn onto your back and tilt your head back in the water, submerging your ears. Relax and try to breathe normally, using your hands to helps you stay afloat. Wait until the shock passes then call for help or swim to safety
  • Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency

Visit the RNLI website for more information before you get into the water.