The UK is surrounded by more than 19,000 miles of coastline, home to hundreds of beaches that attract millions of visitors each year. But not all of them are beside the sea. One of the country’s most unusual beach spots is found more than 50 miles from the coast and sits at the top of a hill.
Gaddings Dam, near the market town of Todmorden in West Yorkshire, is home to what’s believed to be England’s highest beach. Sitting around 1,100 feet above sea level, it’s found more than 50 miles from the nearest coastal town of Southport. The small stretch of sandy shoreline sits on the edge of a reservoir that was originally built as a mill pond back in 1833.
It became a popular wild swimming spot over time, and in 2001, a local group known as the Gaddings Dam Preservation Company bought the site for just £1,500 to keep it open for public use.
The reservoir is now often described as a hidden gem. It’s considered one of the best places for wild swimming in the UK, with visitors praising the beach and surrounding views.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor that it was “a fab place to go for a walk, swim, and picnic,” while another added: “Perfectly formed with soft clean sand lovingly cared for and a delight to visit.”
Getting there does require a bit of effort. There is parking available near the Shepherd’s Rest Inn, where the steep uphill footpath to the dam begins.
The hike takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the route.
However, Visit Todmorden warns visitors to avoid blocking access for emergency vehicles and to stick to marked paths, as previous shortcuts may have become unsafe.
There are also no facilities at the site, so visitors are advised to come prepared.
That means no lifeguards, toilets or cafes, and wild cattle can sometimes be seen near the water’s edge. But on a warm summer day, many believe the effort is worth it.
The Walking Northerners blog called it a “hidden paradise” with “gorgeous views, cracking walking trails, a soft and sandy stretch of beach plus one of the best wild swimming spots in the county”.
And despite its growing popularity, Gaddings Dam has managed to stay relatively low-key.
But with more people searching for scenic spots away from the usual crowds, it’s likely this inland beach will become even more popular in the years to come.
As one visitor put it: “The views at the top are gorgeous, and the water was clear and at a lovely temperature.”