The Best Wild Swim Spots in Cornwall
WILD SWIM CORNWALL
Beneath its wild cliffs, Cornwall’s pools are so perfect for wild swimming you’d swear Poseidon himself had a timeshare in them. Self declared tea drinker, mountain climber & expedition adventurer @lottie.inthewild took on the Cornish peninsula — chasing tides, testing pools, and diving headfirst into the coast’s most magical spots to curate a list of the best places to wild swim in Cornwall.
So grab your swimmers, a flask of tea, and a reckless sense of adventure—because here are 9 wild swimming spots in Cornwall hidden just off the beaten track in areas where your phone signal politely gives up.
1. Tommy’s Pit, Bude
It's not as grim as it sounds, and also locally referred to as “The Pit”, this emerald-green rock pool is tucked away near Bude, and it’s got that “I’ve just discovered Atlantis” vibe. Named after Sir Thomas Dyke Acland a British politician and baronet, who built the pool in 1859 for his own private use —lucky for us. The pool is calm, clear, and framed by rugged rocks perfect for a quick dip equal to one of the best wild swims in Cornwall.
2. Song of the Sea, Nanjizal
You’ll hear it before you see it. Nanjizal’s “Song of the Sea” is a sea cave so cinematic you half expect a mermaid with a Cornish accent to pop out and offer you a scone. This Cornwallen pool is flanked by a natural arch that filters light like a cathedral window. At low tide, the pool glows turquoise and promises enlightenment. At high tide, it promises a drenching. Either way, it’s an unforgettable wild dip.
3. The Averack Pools, Pendeen
Hidden beneath Pendeen’s cliffs, these pools are for swimmers who enjoy earning their pleasure. The descent is a bit “Indiana Jones meets yoga retreat,” but once you reach the bottom, you’re rewarded with silky rock pools that shimmer like spilled moonlight. A perfect balance of well & willl, quiet dips, salty reflections, and pretending you’re in a Cornish adaptation of Blue Lagoon.
4. Mermaid Pool, St Agnes
The name says it all. This swim is pure fairy-tale energy. Perched among St Agnes’s cliffs, the Mermaid Pool feels private and enchanted. The water is deep enough for a satisfying plunge but gentle enough for floating in existential bliss. Bonus points if you hum sea shanties or recite poetry to passing seagulls.
5. Carn Boel Tidal Pool
A natural amphitheatre of stone and foam, Carn Boel’s tidal pool near Land’s End feels like the edge of the world (because it basically is). When the tide is out, the pool gleams like polished glass. When it’s in—well, let’s just say it’s not the time for a relaxing float. Bring sturdy shoes, a good sense of timing, and a willingness to gasp audibly at the view.
6. Lady Bassett’s Bath, Portreath
A pool for aristocratic mermaids! Legend has it Lady Bassett, being both fabulous and fond of privacy, had this rock-cut pool carved for her sea-splashed bathing pleasure in 1782. The baths were designed to always have a fresh supply of seawater, with seven of the eight pools situated at different heights. You can still dip in the same waters today, though you may have to share them with a few intrepid locals and the occasional curious crab. It’s small, elegant, and feels deliciously scandalous—like skinny-dipping with history.
7. Tregardock Beach Waterfall
Imagine swimming beneath a cliffside waterfall as the Atlantic sighs behind you. Tregardock delivers that fantasy—plus a side of adventure. Getting there requires a trek, tide-awareness, and perhaps a minor sense of danger (Cornwall wouldn’t have it any other way). But when the sun hits the cascade and the salt spray kisses your face, you’ll understand why even the most grumpy hermit would smile here.
8. Boscastle Tidal Pool
A gem hidden among myth and mist, Boscastle’s tidal pool is the stuff of local legend. The harbour’s dramatic cliffs shield this secret swim spot from the elements, creating a pool as calm as your gran after a cuppa. You can float in quiet contentment while gulls patrol the skies above like disinterested lifeguards. Ideal for contemplation or gossiping with the seals.
9. Stackhouse Baths, Stackhouse Cove
Finally, a place that sounds like a Victorian wellness retreat and delivers exactly that energy. The Stackhouse Baths are hand-carved into the cliff—a relic from when people bathed “for health” rather than Instagram likes, by infamous smuggler John Carter (Aka The King of Prussia), for the wealthy owners of nearby Acton Castle. You’ll find the tidal pool perched above the surf, perfect for soaking as the sea thunders below.
Cornwall’s pools aren’t just places to swim—they’re invitations to slow down, breathe salt, and remember what wild beauty feels like.
9 Top Wild Swimming Spots in Cornwall
Thank you @lottie.inthewild