Long Pool is one of the most beautiful wild swimming spots in Exmoor. Rugged moss covered gorge walls enclose crystal clear water which perfectly reflects the surrounding foliage giving the pool a spectacular emerald hue. The small waterfall is the icing on the cake.
Swimming here is a real delight and access is fairly easy, with a well maintained trail taking you through stunning ancient woodland with gnarled oaks and dense bracken.
Here’s how to find the pool and what to expect when you do.
The walk to Long Pool
The stats
Distance: 1.25 miles (2km) each way
Elevation gain: 130m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Watersmeet Road Car Park, Lynmouth
Summary: There are a couple of different ways you could reach Long Pool, we’re sharing the route which has suitable parking, beginning at Watersmeet. There are a couple of minor uphill sections on route to the pool, and one short but steep descent.
The terrain, though uneven, is generally good. Accessing the pool involves climbing down a few rocks, but they are nicely tiered and there is no exposure.
Starting the trail: the hidden waterfall detour
From the Watersmeet car park (full details below) you will cross the road to the path opposite the car park, beside the signpost, and begin your descent to Watersmeet.
This initial descent is the steepest bit of the track, but the gravel path is well maintained and it’s not slippery. After just over 240m you will reach the bridge over the river and the end of the descent.
You can make a short 50m detour to check out a very pretty waterfall before continuing on to Long Pool. The path branches off to the right just before you cross the bridge and though it’s narrow, it’s easy enough.
There is one tree down over the track but you can duck under it. The path ends before you reach the falls, though you still get a very good view.
The only reason you would continue further is if you want to take a dip under the falls. The pool here is shallow so you can’t swim, but it’s still a lovely spot for a plunge. To reach the foot of the falls you need to wade through a small amount of shallow water and over a bit of rocky terrain.
To Long Pool
From the small bridge at the end of the descent you cross over the river and there’s a very quaint National Trust tearoom 100m ahead, there are also toilets here if needed.
From the tearoom you will see paths on both sides of the river and there’s a second bridge which allows you to choose either side. We decided to make a circuit, walking on the right river bank first (the opposite side to the tearoom).
This route has ever so slightly more elevation gain and does not stick close to the water, so you could use the path along the left bank both ways if you wanted to, though you would miss a beautiful section of old oak trees.
After walking for a couple of hundred metres along the right bank you will reach a small ruin. From here the path heads somewhat steeply uphill for around 450m before it flattens and then descends. It’s rocky underfoot in places, but it’s generally a good path and perfectly grippy when dry.
As you walk above the river you’re surrounded by spectacular old oak trees which made us very glad we’d opted to walk this section of track. There are a couple more tiny uphill sections, but also some flat track.
At the 1.6km (1 mile) mark there are a few wooden steps up and then downhill before you arrive at another bridge 60m later. Don’t cross and continue on the right bank for access to the pool, which is 450m away and the path to it is all flat. You’ll arrive to find a bench seat just above the pool.
Swimming at Long Pool
Long Pool has a fairytale like quality to it with narrow moss covered gorge walls, tall trees and shimmering green water.
The waterfall at the far end adds to the beauty and also provides a soothing soundtrack to your swim. The water is clean and clear, allowing you to see all the way down to the bottom.
Accessing the pool involves a very minor scramble down a rocky track to the left side of the small bench seat. There are lots of places for your hands and feet and even when wet the rock was not slippery. This entry point gives access to a shallow part of the pool.
You then have a little bit of water to wade through before it’s deep enough to swim off. There is a decent amount of space to swim up the pool before it’s gets shallow and rocky. Inside the main length of the pool there were no obstructions and it’s a glorious place for a serene dip.
The gorge walls and dense ancient woodland are spectacular and it has the most wonderful feel to it. After many recent saltwater swims in Cornwall, it was lovely to be back in freshwater again.
To reach the waterfall you need to walk over some rocks in shallow water and this is easy enough when the water level is low, but could be challenging walking against the current if the falls are flowing powerfully, so always exercise caution.
The water surrounding the falls is shallow, so you can’t swim beneath it, but you can get right up to it if you don’t mind scrambling over wet rock.
In terms of temperature, the water is cool even in summer, so if you’re not a fan of cold water try and pick a warm sunny day so you can heat up more quickly after your swim.
The return route
The return route is even prettier than the way out as you stick closer to the water and still have some of those gorgeous oaks - though not quite as many as the way out.
You’ll cross the small bridge a few hundred metres back from Long Pool and then follow the narrow path on the opposite bank to the one you came in on.
Around 750m from the pool you’ll come to a bench seat beside a stony riverbank, with access to a shallow but gorgeous pool. You can’t swim, but it’s great for paddling and would suit families who don’t want to venture into the deep water of Long Pool.
The path is predominantly flat, following the picturesque river and small cascades up until 250m beyond the bench, at which point you will head uphill. Roughly 200m beyond this there is a cut down on the left to another small pool.
It’s definitely not as good as Long Pool, but it’s cute and you would be highly unlikely to see anyone else there. After this the path undulates as you head back towards the tearoom.
The final 240m up to the car park are on the same track you came in on which has quite a steep incline, but it takes just a few minutes to reach the top.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Parking for Long Pool
The easiest place to park for Long Pool is at the Watersmeet Road car park, postcode EX35 6NT, you can see it here on Google maps. Although Watersmeet is National Trust, the car park is not, so everyone still has to pay. The car park is not huge, but we had no trouble parking in the middle of the day in the school summer holidays.
The charges are between 10am and 6pm daily. At time of writing the cost is £1.40 for 1 hour and you don’t save anything for longer time periods.
There are toilets and a cafe 350m from the parking area.
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