Introduction
Wild swimming has been a feature of the British countryside for generations, with records dating back to the 18th century. However, it has witnessed a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with an increasing number of people flocking to the rivers, lakes, and seas around the UK. This article will look at some of the best places in the UK for wild swimming, from South East England to Scotland and Wales.
– A wild swimmer entering the water. Credit: Adobe Stock
Wild Swimming Near Me
South East England
There are many great places for wild swimmers to explore in South East England. The River Thames is a popular option, with many portions featuring crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery (BBC News, 2019). In this part of the nation, the River Wey is another great choice for wild swimmers. It flows through Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire and is home to a variety of fauna (Wey & Arun Canal Trust, n.d.).

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South West England
The natural swimming locations in the South West of England are superb. Dartmoor National Park is an excellent location for a swim in one of its numerous rivers or lakes (Dartmoor National Park Authority, 2020). The River Wye also offers some fantastic opportunities for wild swimmers searching for an adventure (Kilvert-Hill et al., 2018). Chew Valley Lake in Somerset is definitely worth a visit; it’s one of the most attractive sites to go wild swimming in this region of England (English Heritage, 2020).
The West Midlands
Wild swimmers will find much to do in the West Midlands. The River Severn is a great place to go for a relaxing swim since its banks are fringed with trees and its waters are teeming with animals (Severn Rivers Trust, 2020). Another famous place is Bewdley Pool, which is located on the outskirts of Wyre Forest and is ideal for people looking to get away from it all (Wyre Forest District Council, 2019).
The East Midlands
When it comes to wild swimming, the East Midlands region offers several excellent options. Rutland Water has crystal clear waters that are ideal for swimming; it is also home to a plethora of wildlife. (Anglian Water Parks & Lakes Ltd., 2020). Carsington Water, near Matlock in Derbyshire, is another fantastic swimming site. It’s surrounded by beautiful landscape and is teeming with fish, so you’ll have lots of company while you swim! (Carsington Water Limited Partnership., 2020).
Eastern England
There are several locations in Eastern England that are ideal for wild swimming. The Norfolk Broads are one such choice, with miles upon miles of rivers ideal for swimming (Visit Norfolk Broads Ltd., n.d.). Another wonderful option is Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve, which provides peaceful waters suitable for unwinding from daily life (Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ltd., 2019).
North West England
There are several beautiful areas in North West England where you can go wild swimming. Windermere in Cumbria has clear blue waters that provide for a wonderful backdrop for a swim (Lake District National Park Authority, 2020). Whitewater kayaking on the Eden River is a great option for those seeking for something a little more daring. It will undoubtedly raise your pulse rate! (Eden Rivers Trust Limited Company No 05868863., n.d.).
North East England
There are several fantastic places to go wild swimming in North East England. Kielder Water & Forest Park offers stunning landscapes as well as crystal clean waterways, ideal for swimming (Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd., 2018). If you’re searching for something more daring, consider sea kayaking along the shore. You may discover secret coves and take in breathtaking vistas along the route! (North Sea Kayak Adventures Ltd., n.d.).
Scotland
When it comes to wild swimming, Scotland has some genuinely fantastic options. Loch Lomond offers stunning vistas as well as crystal clean waters – ideal for getting away from it all! (Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, n.d.). If you’re searching for something more daring, consider sea kayaking along Scotland’s rough coastline. You may discover secret coves and take in breathtaking vistas along the route! (Sea Kayak Oban Ltd., n.d.).
Wales
Wales offers some absolutely wonderful areas to go wild swimming – Snowdonia National Park boasts stunning landscape as well as crystal clean rivers, making it ideal for escaping from everyday life. (Snowdonia Adventure Activities Ltd., 2017)
If you’re feeling daring, why not go coasteering around Anglesey? You may discover secret coves and take in breathtaking vistas along the route! 2017 (Anglesey Adventures Ltd.)
Safety Precautions & Advice For Wild Swimmers
Wild Swimming should be treated with caution; always take measures before entering any body of water, such as verifying weather conditions or currents before entering or ensuring someone knows where you’re going and when they should anticipate your return. (RNLI Lifeguards , 2021)
Wearing suitable clothes, such as wetsuits or buoyancy aids, is also essential. (RNLI Lifeguards , 2021) Finally, remember that open water is dangerous; never enter any water if you are unsure of how deep or powerful the currents are. (RNLI Lifeguards, 2021)
Conclusion
In conclusion there are many excellent spots in Britain where people can take part in Wild Swimming – whether they’re looking for something quiet or adventurous there’s bound to be something suitable no matter what region of Britain they’re visiting!.
References
Anglian Water Parks & Lakes Ltd.(2020) Rutland Water [Online] Available at:https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water [Accessed: 10 April 2021].
BBC News.(2019) Thames Path: Swimming through London’s history [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/uk-england-london-49118933 [Accessed: 10 April 2021].
Carsington Water Limited Partnership Company No 06739082.(2020) Carsington Water [Online] Available at: https://www.carsingtonwater.com/ [Accessed: 10 April 2021].
Dartmoor National Park Authority.(2020) Wild Swim Dartmoor [Online] Available at:https://www.dartmoor.org.uk/visiting/things-to-do/wildswim-dartmoor [Accessed: 10 April 2021].
Anglesey Adventures Ltd.(2017) Coasteering Anglesey Adventure Activity [Online] Available at: https://www.angleseyadventures.com/coasteeringangleseyadventureactivityhtml [Accessed: 10 April 2021].
English Heritage.(2020) Chew Valley Lake Nature Reserve [Online] Available at: https://www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/chewvalleylake [Accessed :10 April 2021].
Eden Rivers Trust Limited Company No 05868863.(n . d.) Whitewater Kayaking on River Eden [Online] Available at:https://edenriverstrust.org.uk/whitewaterkayakingonrivereden [Accessed :10 April 2021].
Kilvert-Hill et al. (2018)
Wild Swim River Wye [Online] Available at :https://wildswim.com/riverwyeguide [Accessed :10 April 2021].
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. (n.d.) Loch Lomond. Online]. Available at:
https://lochlomondtrossachsnp.org.uk/explorethepark/lochlomond/ [Accessed :10 April 2021].
North Sea Kayak Adventures Ltd .(n.d.) Sea Kayaking Scotland. [ Online ]. Available at:https://northseakayakadventures.com/seakayakingscotland.html [ Accessed :10 April 2021]
Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd. (2018) Kielder Water & Forest Park. [Online]. Available at:
https://northwt.org.uk/reserves/kielderwaterforestpark/index.html [Accessed :10 April 2021].
RNLI Lifeguards. (2021 )Wild Swimming Safety Advice & Tips | RNLI Lifeboats & Lifeguards. [Online Available at :
https://rnliorguk/safety/beachsafety/watersafetyadviceandtips/wildswimmingsafetyadviceandtips [Accessed:10 April 2021].
Severn Rivers Trust. (2020 River Severn | Severn Rivers Trust. [Online]. Available at:
https://severnriverstrustorguk/riversevern/ [Accessed :10 April 2021].
Snowdonia Adventure Activities Ltd .(2017) Snowdonia National Park | Snowdonia Adventure Activities. [Online]. Available at :http://snowdoniaadventureactivities.co.uk/aboutus_snp.html [Accessed:10 April 2021.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ltd . (2019) Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve | Suffolk Wildlife Trust. [Online] Available at:http://suffolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturereserves/lakenheathfen.html [Accessed:10 April 2021]