Wild swimming at Base Camp Festival

With its stunning lakeside location on the banks of Buttermere, Base Camp Festival is the perfect event for wild swimmers to attend this summer. Whether you’re an experienced wild swimmer or fancy trying it out for the first time, the festival has you covered, with direct access to the pristine waters of Buttermere and a lifeguard on duty all weekend to ensure your safety. We will also have author and wild swimming expert Sara Barnes on hand to advise on all aspects of wild swimming.

In addition to swimming in Buttermere itself, we are also running Waterfall Walk and Dip sessions on both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, led by Sara Barnes. This three-hour session consists of a gentle walk to the head of the Buttermere Valley where we will explore the lower plunge pools and mini waterfalls of Warnscale Beck. An immersive experience on many levels, this walk is aimed at people who have never dipped in a waterfall pool before, and those who are more familiar with moving water and energising bubbles! The session costs £25 and you can find more information and book your place HERE. Finally we must mention the fact that Buttermere is the last pristine lake in the northern Lake District and the importance of playing our part in protecting it. To that end, we will be implementing biosecurity measures at the festival. Please ensure that any kit (bathing suits, wet suits, buoyancy aids, water shoes etc) have been thoroughly checked, cleaned and dried before arriving at the event. We will have a wash station on site. More info on our biosecurity protocols HERE.