The Buttermere Infinity Pool is a natural wild swimming spot in the Lake District — a series of plunge pools on Warnscale Beck, a stream flowing off the lower slopes of Fleetwith Pike above Buttermere village in Cumbria. The “infinity pool” name comes from a natural rock formation where water spills over the edge of a pool and appears to merge seamlessly with Buttermere lake and the valley below — the same optical illusion as a resort infinity pool, but entirely natural and free to swim in. The walk from Gatesgarth car park (CA13 9XA, £4/day) takes around 40 minutes over 2.2 miles return. The water is icy cold year-round. This guide covers exactly where the pool is, how to walk there, wild swimming safety, and how to get to Buttermere from Keswick and beyond.
- The Buttermere Infinity Pool is on Warnscale Beck, lower slopes of Fleetwith Pike, above Buttermere village — free to swim, no entry fee.
- Walk: 2.2 miles (3.6km) return, approximately 40 minutes to reach the pool, 77m elevation gain.
- Parking: Gatesgarth Farm car park (CA13 9XA), £4/day, 37 spaces, cash only; fills quickly on summer weekends.
- Water is extremely cold year-round — enter gradually, wetsuit strongly recommended.
- There are multiple pools on the beck above and below the main infinity pool; continue uphill for quieter spots.
What the Buttermere Infinity Pool Is and Where to Find It
Warnscale Beck is a fast-flowing mountain stream fed by rainfall and snowmelt from the fells above Buttermere. As it descends the lower slopes of Fleetwith Pike, the stream cuts through a series of rock channels and drops into natural plunge pools. The most-photographed of these pools sits at a point where the rock ledge drops away steeply — from the water’s surface, the pool appears to have no far edge, the water disappearing into a view of Buttermere valley, the lake and the fells beyond. This visual effect — identical in principle to an infinity-edge swimming pool at a resort — is why the location has picked up the informal name “the Buttermere Infinity Pool.” The pool’s actual location is on Warnscale Beck above Gatesgarth Farm at the eastern end of Buttermere Lake, approximately 10 miles from Keswick, a 30-minute drive. The What3words address for the main pool is ///verb.officer.inflating.
Warnscale Beck and the natural formation that creates the infinity effect
The Beck drops through at least five or six distinct pools as it descends the valley, each formed where the stream undercuts the rock or meets a harder geological band and is forced to cascade downward. The infinity pool effect at the main pool is created by a combination of the pool’s elevated position and the steep angle of the fell below it: from swimming height in the water, you see nothing between the pool rim and the valley floor far below — with Buttermere lake (2km long, maximum depth 28.6m, no motor boats permitted) gleaming in the middle distance. The effect is strongest in good light and clearer weather. The surrounding landscape is open fell — no trees, just heather, grass, bracken and the raw rock of the Cuillin equivalent fells.
What to expect when you arrive: multiple pools, depth and water colour
The main infinity pool is not the only option on the beck. There are at least two or three additional pools above the main one, discovered by continuing uphill along the beck path. The water at all pools is crystal clear with a blue-green tint, reflecting the dark Cumbrian fell stone beneath. The main pool depth varies with rainfall — typically waist-to-chest depth at the edges, deepening to approximately 2 metres in the centre. Entry is best via the rocks at the side (swimming shoes recommended for grip on wet, slippery surfaces), lowering yourself in gradually rather than jumping. The water is extremely cold even on warm days — this is fast-flowing fell stream water, not a still lake that has had time to absorb surface heat. For a comparison of entirely natural UK pool experiences, see our guide to natural swimming pools in the UK.
Other Lake District infinity pool locations: Thirlmere
Buttermere is the best-known of the Lake District’s natural “infinity pools,” but it is not the only one. Thirlmere has its own natural infinity pool on a gill on the steep north-eastern slopes of the reservoir — about 10 minutes south of Keswick by car off the A591, with a roughly 1-mile walk taking around 30 minutes. It is smaller and less dramatic than the Buttermere version but considerably less crowded. Other notable wild swimming spots in the Lake District National Park include Black Moss Pot (Langstrath valley), Crummock Water and Scale Force Waterfall near Buttermere, and Wastwater — the deepest lake in England at 74m.
The Walk to Buttermere Infinity Pool: Route, Difficulty and What to Bring
The walk to the main infinity pool is short enough for most reasonably fit adults but steep enough to require proper footwear. It is not a circular route — you return the same way — and the terrain is open fell, meaning weather can change quickly and good waterproof clothing is essential on a Lake District day regardless of the forecast. Here is the route detail and what to expect.
The 2.2-mile route from Gatesgarth car park: step by step
Start at Gatesgarth Farm car park (CA13 9XA). From the car park, head left along the Honister Pass road (away from Buttermere lake). After approximately 150 metres, you will see a signpost on the right for Honister House. Take this path, which rises across open fell above the road. Continue along the path, which climbs gradually with views opening up over Buttermere valley. After approximately 1.3km, watch for a grassy path branching right — take the rockier continuation ahead, and after a further 100 metres (at 1.7km into the walk), look for the path turning off left towards the beck. The pool is less than a minute from this junction. Total distance: 3.6km/2.2 miles return. Elevation gain: 77m/252ft. Walking time: approximately 40 minutes each way, per thisexpansiveadventure.com. Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Wild swimming safety: water temperature, entry technique and conditions
The Buttermere Infinity Pool is wild swimming — there are no lifeguards, no safety infrastructure and no controlled entry. All swimming is at the visitor’s own risk. The water temperature is very cold year-round: Warnscale Beck is fed by mountain rainfall and snowmelt and does not warm significantly even in August. Cold-water shock is a genuine risk, especially for those who jump straight in. The recommended approach is to enter gradually using the rock sides, acclimatising the body progressively. A wetsuit is strongly advised for anyone planning more than a quick dip. Swimming shoes are useful for grip on the polished wet rock around the pool edges. Check weather and recent rainfall before visiting: high water after heavy rain makes the beck faster and the pools deeper, increasing risk. Avoid in flood conditions. Visit early morning for best light and fewest people. For UK outdoor pool alternatives with safety infrastructure, our guide to outdoor swimming pools covers lidos with lifeguards and facilities.
Extending the walk: Warnscale Bothy, Fleetwith Pike and the upper pools
The main infinity pool is a natural stopping point, but the walk can be extended significantly. Continuing uphill along Warnscale Beck reveals at least two additional pools in quieter, more remote settings — these upper pools are harder to find but reward persistence with less company. For a longer day out, the Warnscale Bothy route adds the historic mountain shelter to the circuit at 5.4km return with 319m of elevation gain. The full Fleetwith Pike circuit combines the infinity pool, the bothy and the summit of Fleetwith Pike (648m/2,126ft) for a serious day walk of approximately 10km with 755m of climbing — rated strenuous, with some exposed scrambling near the summit. The gentler alternative is the Buttermere Lake circuit (7.3km, 139m elevation) which goes around the lake itself, passing through a historic rock tunnel near Hassness.
Parking, Getting There and When to Visit Buttermere
Buttermere village is a small settlement in the north-western Lake District with very limited facilities — one pub (the Bridge Inn), Syke Farm Tea Rooms, and the YHA Buttermere hostel. There are no large supermarkets or petrol stations nearby. The area is almost entirely dependent on car access; public transport to Gatesgarth specifically is minimal. Plan accordingly.
Gatesgarth car park (£4/day, 37 spaces) and parking alternatives
The main car park for the infinity pool walk is Gatesgarth Farm car park (CA13 9XA), at the eastern end of Buttermere Lake. It costs £4 for the whole day, cash only, and has 37 spaces. In peak season (July–August, bank holidays, fine-weather weekends) the car park fills quickly — arriving before 9 AM is advisable. Alternatives within the area include:
- National Trust Buttermere village car park: £5–£8.50 depending on duration
- National Trust Honister Pass: £5–£8.50 (adds walk distance to the pool)
- St James’ Church Buttermere: Limited free spaces; check availability
There is a seasonal café at Syke Farm Tearoom near the village, but no facilities at Gatesgarth car park itself beyond portable toilets in peak season.
How to reach Buttermere from Keswick, Ambleside and beyond
From Keswick (approximately 10 miles, 30-minute drive): take the B5289 through Borrowdale and over Honister Pass, or alternatively the B5292 via Whinfell and the Newlands valley. Both routes are narrow in places with passing places. From Ambleside (approximately 28 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes): the most practical route goes via Grasmere and Keswick or via Langdale. From Penrith (approximately 24 miles): take the A66 towards Keswick then the B5289. There is no regular direct bus service to Gatesgarth Farm car park. Bus 77/77A (the Honister Rambler) serves Buttermere village from Keswick in summer and on some bank holidays, and drops at Gatesgarth Farm, but runs seasonally and infrequently — check Stagecoach Cumbria for current timetables before planning a public-transport visit.
Best times to visit and avoiding weekend crowds
The Buttermere Infinity Pool has grown significantly in popularity, driven by social media and TikTok videos. Summer weekends (July–August) bring large numbers of visitors, and the small Gatesgarth car park can be overwhelmed by 10 AM. The best strategies:
- Weekdays any time — significantly quieter than weekends year-round
- Arrive before 9 AM on weekends — the car park is empty at 7 AM even in August
- September and October — autumnal colours, fewer crowds, water still swimmable
- May and June — good weather window with lower visitor numbers before school holidays
- Avoid bank holiday weekends entirely if possible — road queues into the valley form early
Winter visits are possible (the walk is accessible with appropriate clothing and traction devices for icy paths) but the falls can be in dangerous spate conditions and the road over Honister Pass can be closed by snow. The Highways England road-condition checker is worth consulting November–March. Most visitors who make the effort to arrive at Gatesgarth before 8 AM on a summer weekday find they have the infinity pool entirely to themselves — the views across the Buttermere valley from water height at that time of day are about as close to a private Lake District experience as you can reasonably arrange without hiring a full estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Buttermere Infinity Pool?
The Buttermere Infinity Pool is a natural plunge pool on Warnscale Beck, a stream on the lower slopes of Fleetwith Pike above Buttermere village in the Lake District. The pool appears to have no far edge — the water spills away towards the Buttermere valley below, creating the visual effect of an infinity pool. It is free to swim in.
How long is the walk to the Buttermere Infinity Pool?
The return walk from Gatesgarth Farm car park (CA13 9XA) is approximately 3.6km (2.2 miles) with 77m of elevation gain. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the pool at a steady pace — rated easy to moderate difficulty on a well-used path.
How much does it cost to visit the Buttermere Infinity Pool?
Swimming in the pool is free. The Gatesgarth Farm car park charges £4 per day (cash only, 37 spaces). Alternative car parks at Buttermere village charge £5–£8.50 depending on duration.
How cold is the water in the Buttermere Infinity Pool?
The water is extremely cold year-round — Warnscale Beck is fed by mountain rainfall and snowmelt and does not warm significantly even in summer. Cold-water shock is a genuine risk; enter gradually from the rocks at the side, and a wetsuit is strongly recommended for longer swims.
Are there other infinity pools in the Lake District?
Yes. The Thirlmere Infinity Pool, about 10 minutes south of Keswick off the A591, offers a similar natural overflow pool experience on a gill above the reservoir — a 1-mile walk of around 30 minutes. It is smaller and less crowded than Buttermere.
Where exactly is the Buttermere Infinity Pool?
On Warnscale Beck, lower slopes of Fleetwith Pike, Lake District National Park. Postcode for Gatesgarth Farm car park: CA13 9XA. What3words: ///verb.officer.inflating. Approximately 10 miles from Keswick (30-minute drive).
