The “Fairy Pools” in the Lake District are a series of turquoise pools on Lingmell Beck in Wasdale Valley, reached by a 1.7-mile walk from Wasdale Head. Also known as the Wasdale Emerald Pools, they sit below Great Gable and Great End in England’s western Lake District — near Scafell Pike, the country’s highest mountain, and Wastwater, England’s deepest lake. This guide covers where they are, how to walk there, and what you need to know before wild swimming.
- Location: Wasdale Valley, western Lake District National Park, Cumbria — GPS 54.4719, -3.2178
- Walk: 1.7 miles (2.8 km) each way from Wasdale Head car park, 150 m elevation gain, 30–50 minutes
- Parking: Wasdale Head free car park, postcode CA20 1EX — fills very early on busy days
- Pool features: turquoise water below two small waterfalls and a natural rock “pyramid” on Lingmell Beck
- Nearest fells: Great Gable, Great End, Scafell Pike (978 m — the highest mountain in England)
Where Are the Fairy Pools in the Lake District?
The Lake District Fairy Pools are in Wasdale Valley, in the far western side of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. They are known locally and on most maps as the Wasdale Emerald Pool (sometimes “Emerald Pools”), after the turquoise-green colour of the main pool. The name “Fairy Pools” has spread from social media and is often used by visitors — the two names refer to the same spot.
The Valley and Its Surroundings
Wasdale is a remote, sparsely populated valley — only 127 residents as of 2021 — surrounded by some of the most dramatic fells in England. The pools sit beneath Great Gable and Great End, with Scafell Pike — England’s highest mountain at 978 m — immediately to the east. Wasdale is also home to Wastwater, the deepest lake in England at 258 feet (79 metres), and is famously known as “the home of British rock climbing”, with historic routes including Napes Needle on Great Gable.
The pools themselves are formed by Lingmell Beck, a small river flowing down from the high fells into the valley floor. At the pools, the beck drops over rock steps forming two small waterfalls into a clear basin. The pool has been described as having “a gorgeous turquoise pool beneath two mini waterfalls and a natural rock pyramid”. The GPS coordinates for the main pool are 54.4719, -3.2178.
Is This the Famous “Fairy Pools”? A Note on Names
There is often confusion with another, better-known set of Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye in Scotland — which is not in the Lake District. In England, the “Lake District fairy pools” is understood to mean the Wasdale Emerald Pool. A second, smaller series of plunge pools exists along Lingmell Beck and nearby streams, so walkers often refer to the whole stretch as “the fairy pools” plural. Wasdale is also entirely separate from the Fairy Glen at Betws-y-Coed in north Wales, which is sometimes confused by online searches.
How to Walk to the Wasdale Fairy Pools
The walk to the Fairy Pools is short and rated easy, but it is rough underfoot in places and requires proper footwear. Most visitors walk from Wasdale Head and reach the pool in around 30–50 minutes each way.
Getting There and Parking
The trailhead is Wasdale Head, at the northern end of Wastwater. Driving directions: from Ambleside it is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, from Keswick 1 hour 20 minutes, and from Cockermouth around 1 hour. The final 10 miles of single-track road down the western shore of Wastwater are narrow and winding — allow extra time. The postcode CA20 1EX takes you to the free village green car park just before the Wasdale Head Inn.
Parking is free but limited. Reports note the car park fills very early on busy summer weekends, so arriving before 9am or using the alternative parking further along the valley is advised. Public transport to Wasdale Head is limited; most visitors drive. For larger group outings you may want to compare options at outdoor swimming pools near you, which list managed venues with guaranteed access.
The Route, Step by Step
From the north-east end of the Wasdale Head car park, take the gravel path signposted to St Olaf’s Church, Burnthwaite and Styhead. After about 175 metres you reach St Olaf’s Church — often cited as the smallest parish church in England. Continue another 575 metres to Burnthwaite Farm and follow the signed path straight through the farmyard (keep to the left where marked).
Beyond the farm, cross the wooden footbridge and pick up the path that climbs gently alongside Lingmell Beck, with Great Gable’s distinctive pyramid rising on your left. The path forks — either branch leads to the pool, but the right-hand (riverside) route is more scenic. The final 700 metres run close to the river over rocks and rougher ground. The total distance is 1.7 miles / 2.8 km each way with 150 m of elevation gain, and the walk is rated easy by most guides.
Difficulty, Footwear and Accessibility
The route is gentle in gradient but becomes uneven and rocky once you leave Burnthwaite Farm. It is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or anyone with significantly reduced mobility. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are essential — trainers are acceptable in dry conditions but not when the beck is in spate. After rain the rocks are very slippery. A short, easy scramble down rocks on the left-hand side of the waterfall gets you into the pool itself.
Visiting the Fairy Pools: Swimming, Safety and Best Time
The Wasdale Fairy Pools are a wild-swimming destination — not a lifeguarded facility. The water is cold most of the year and the rocks and currents change with the weather. Treat the visit as a mountain outing rather than a swim at a leisure centre.
Wild Swimming Conditions
The main pool is deep enough for swimming and is fed continuously by fresh water from the fells, so it stays cold even in July and August. On sunny days the basin is fully exposed and the water can feel among the warmer wild swims in the Lakes, but never expect bath-temperature water. Jumping from the rocks above the pool is popular but carries real risk — depth varies across the basin and submerged rocks are not always visible.
If you prefer a warmer and filtered alternative, consider chemical-free managed venues such as a natural swimming pool, or swim indoors at a gym with a heated swimming pool near you before or after your walk.
Safety, Mountain Weather and Mountain Rescue
All natural swim spots in the Lake District are recognised as dangerous, wild places — visit at your own risk. Mountain weather changes rapidly in Wasdale: bright sun can become heavy rain or low cloud within an hour, and Lingmell Beck rises quickly after rainfall, making pool access unsafe. Always check the Lake District Fell Top Assessors weather line before setting out, and avoid the pool if there has been recent heavy rain upstream.
Never swim alone, tell someone your planned route, and do not leave valuables visible at the car park. Mobile signal in Wasdale is poor to non-existent. If an incident occurs, dial 999, ask for police, then mountain rescue — Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team is the local service. Leave no trace: take all rubbish home, do not use soap or sunscreen in the water, and avoid disturbing wildlife along the beck.
Best Time of Year and Crowd Levels
The Wasdale Fairy Pools are accessible year-round, but the water is realistically only tempting from late May to early September. Peak visitor numbers are between mid-July and the August bank holiday; the car park often fills by mid-morning on sunny weekends. For solitude, visit on a weekday or arrive before 9am. Spring and autumn are increasingly popular for hikers who want the views without the crowds — the beck is fuller after rain and the waterfalls are more impressive, but swimming is rarely comfortable outside summer. The approach road can occasionally close in winter after snow on the Wrynose and Hardknott passes; check road conditions via Cumbria County Council road updates before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there fairy pools in the Lake District?
Yes. The Wasdale Emerald Pool, often called the Lake District Fairy Pool, sits on Lingmell Beck in Wasdale Valley beneath Great Gable and Great End. It is reached by a 1.7-mile walk from Wasdale Head. A separate, more famous set of Fairy Pools exists on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, which is not part of the Lake District.
Where do you park for the Wasdale Fairy Pools?
Park at the free Wasdale Head village green car park, postcode CA20 1EX, immediately before the Wasdale Head Inn. The car park has limited spaces and fills early on sunny weekends — arrive before 9am or use alternative parking further along the valley.
How long is the walk to the Fairy Pools in the Lake District?
The walk is 1.7 miles (2.8 km) each way with 150 m of elevation gain, taking most walkers 30–50 minutes each way depending on pace and conditions. It is rated easy but the terrain is rough in places and not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Can you swim in the Wasdale Fairy Pools?
Yes, wild swimming is popular in the Wasdale Fairy Pools, but there are no lifeguards and the water is cold year-round. Depth varies, rocks are submerged in places, and Lingmell Beck rises quickly after rain. Never swim alone, check the weather, and treat the visit as a mountain outing.
Is it the same as the Fairy Pools on Skye?
No. The famous Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye are in Scotland, on the River Brittle below the Black Cuillin. The Lake District Fairy Pools are an entirely separate location in Wasdale, Cumbria, also known as the Wasdale Emerald Pool. They are around 300 miles apart.
