In this guide
- Why Dartmoor for wild swimming?
- Spitchwick Common — the classic
- Sharrah Pool — deep and dramatic
- Bellever Gorge — family favourite
- Newbridge — easy access swim
- Belstone Cleave — northern Dartmoor
- Venford Brook — peaceful south moor
- Fingle Bridge — river Teign
- Best times to swim
- Safety on Dartmoor
- What to bring
Why Dartmoor for Wild Swimming?
Dartmoor is one of England's last truly wild places — 368 square miles of moorland, granite tors, and ancient river valleys within one of the UK's few genuine national parks. And running through all of it are rivers: the Dart, the Teign, the Erme, the Avon — fast, peaty, cold, and utterly beautiful.
Unlike swimming in the sea, wild swimming in Dartmoor's rivers and pools is a deeply immersive moorland experience. The water is soft (it picks up almost nothing as it flows over granite), the colour ranges from amber to crystal clear depending on rainfall and location, and the granite boulders that edge every pool make for natural sunbathing perches that feel like something from an adventure novel.
Dartmoor's rivers are also some of the cleanest in England. The moor acts as a vast natural filter. That said, water quality does vary — particularly after heavy rainfall when agricultural runoff can affect lower reaches. We've noted any key water quality considerations for each spot.
Access Rights on Dartmoor
- The Dartmoor National Park has some of the most permissive access rights in England under the Commons Act 1876 and the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985
- Wild camping and wild swimming are legally permitted across most of the open moorland
- The River Dart and many of its tributaries flow through open access land — you are generally free to swim in them
- Some stretches near private farmland have access restrictions — follow the Dartmoor National Park guidance and respect any signage
- The Dartmoor National Park Authority website publishes current access information
1. Spitchwick Common
Spitchwick Common
Spitchwick is the great Dartmoor wild swimming classic — a broad, peaty pool on the East Dart where a grassy common meets a gentle curve in the river. In summer it fills with locals and visitors in equal measure, and for good reason: it's beautiful, accessible, and genuinely swimmable for all abilities. Wide flat rocks border the pool for sunbathing, and a section of gentle beach makes entry easy for children.
The pool is wide rather than deep, with a shelving entry that works well for nervous swimmers or families with young children. The current is gentle here, nothing like the rushing water upstream. At the right time of year (July and August after a dry spell), the water clarity is remarkable.
2. Sharrah Pool
Sharrah Pool
Sharrah Pool is Dartmoor wild swimming at its most spectacular. Reached by a 20-minute walk through oak woodland from Dartmeet, this deep gorge pool on the River Dart sits beneath a dramatic cliff face with a natural jumping rock (around 4 metres) and crystal-clear, dark water. It feels properly remote and wild even in peak season, because the walk keeps the crowds away.
The pool itself is significantly deeper than Spitchwick — entry from the upstream side is over smooth granite boulders, and the current through the gorge can be powerful after rain. This is not a spot for beginners or nervous swimmers. But for experienced wild swimmers, it's one of the finest spots in the whole of Devon.
3. Bellever Gorge
Bellever Forest & East Dart
Bellever is one of the most accessible wild swimming areas on Dartmoor, with a range of pools along the East Dart above and below the ancient clapper bridge. The Bellever Forest trail passes through conifer plantation before emerging onto open moorland, and the river runs through a mix of open moor and wooded gorge sections.
For families, the section near the clapper bridge offers shallow, gravel-bottomed pools that are perfect for paddling and introducing children to the moorland rivers. Further upstream towards the open moor, deeper pools offer proper swimming. The whole area combines beautifully with a walk through the forest and across the moorland to Bellever Tor.
4. Newbridge
Newbridge, River Dart
Newbridge is perhaps the most accessible Dartmoor wild swimming spot — the National Trust car park sits right beside the river, and within a few minutes walk up or downstream you'll find a series of pools of varying depth and character. The medieval bridge itself is a lovely backdrop.
The pools immediately upstream of the bridge are well-known and can get busy on summer weekends. A short walk further upstream rewards you with more secluded pools in a pretty wooded gorge. The water here tends to be a little warmer than the higher moor rivers, making it popular with those new to wild swimming.
5. Belstone Cleave
Belstone Cleave, River Taw
While the South Dart valleys get most of the attention, northern Dartmoor's River Taw in Belstone Cleave is a hidden gem. A gorgeous valley walk from Belstone village leads down to a series of pools in a deep, wooded cleave — far less visited than the Dart pools, and correspondingly wilder feeling.
Belstone is also a wonderful village in its own right, with a classic moorland pub (the Tors Inn) and easy access to open moorland. Combine the swim with a walk up onto Belstone Common for sweeping views over Dartmoor and Exmoor on a clear day.
Best Times to Swim on Dartmoor
Dartmoor's rivers are swimmable year-round for the genuinely hardy, but most people will want to aim for late summer. Here's a seasonal breakdown:
| Season | Conditions | Water Temp | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan – Mar | Wild, raw, dramatic. Often high water after rain. | 5–8°C — cold water experience only | Empty |
| Apr – May | Water level dropping. Beautiful light. Still cold. | 8–12°C | Very quiet |
| Jun – Jul | Good swimming weather begins. Longer days. | 12–16°C | Building |
| Aug – Sep | Peak season. Warmest water, clearest conditions. | 16–19°C — peak warmth | Busy (go early) |
| Oct – Nov | Autumn colours. Water cooling but beautiful. | 10–13°C | Quiet again |
| Dec | Cold water swimming. High flows. Expert only. | 5–7°C | Solitary |
Dartmoor Wild Swimming Safety
Dartmoor's rivers are wild and can be dangerous. These are not managed bathing areas — there are no lifeguards, no safety equipment, and the water can rise fast after moorland rain.
Critical Safety Rules — Please Read Before You Swim
- Never swim alone. Always go with at least one other person.
- Check the weather and forecasts before you go. Rain upstream — even rain you cannot see from the swim spot — can cause rivers to rise rapidly and without warning.
- Do not jump into water you have not checked first. Depth and underwater hazards change after floods. Jumping is at your own risk, always.
- Cold water shock is real and dangerous. Enter the water gradually. Never dive in from cold. Cold water shock can incapacitate even strong swimmers.
- Know your limits. Strong currents in gorge sections can be far more powerful than they appear from the bank.
- Avoid swimming during or after heavy rain. Flash floods do occur on Dartmoor. Discoloured or very fast-moving water = do not enter.
- Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease) — a bacterial infection spread by rat urine in fresh water. Cover any cuts with waterproof plasters. If you develop flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks after swimming, tell your doctor you've been wild swimming.
What to Bring for Dartmoor Wild Swimming
- Wetsuit — strongly recommended for most of the year. Even in August, Dartmoor water is cold. A 3/2mm wetsuit extends your season dramatically.
- Tow float — makes you visible to other river users and provides emergency buoyancy. Essential for solo swimmers (though please don't swim alone).
- Neoprene gloves and boots — for spring and autumn swims, these make a huge difference to comfort and time in the water.
- Drybag or dry robe — essential for keeping warm clothes dry and for post-swim warmth. Dartmoor wind chill is no joke.
- Waterproof phone case — so you can call for help if needed and capture the inevitable beautiful photos.
- First aid kit — waterproof plasters (Weil's disease prevention), antiseptic, emergency foil blanket.
- OS Map or downloaded offline map — Dartmoor mobile signal can be poor. Don't rely on live navigation.
- Snacks and hot drink — a thermos of hot tea and some flapjack after a cold Dartmoor swim is one of life's great simple pleasures.
Leave No Trace on Dartmoor
- Take all litter home — including small items like hair ties and wrappers
- Do not light fires on Dartmoor outside designated areas. The moor is particularly vulnerable to fire damage
- Respect other river users, anglers, and landowners
- Do not disturb wildlife — Dartmoor has significant breeding populations of protected birds
- Park responsibly — do not block farm gates or verges. Parking issues cause real problems for the farming community