The best places to go wild swimming in the UK
Wild swimming in the UK’s rivers is a skin-tingling, heart-pumping way to reconnect with nature and leave your worries behind this summer. Here are 18 favourite places, from those in striking distance of London to the Brecon Beacons and the Isle of Skye.
- Daniel Start
Aston Ferry, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England
A short drive from the setting of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, where Ratty went swimming with ducks while Mole was trying not to fall in. Today, this stretch of the Thames is speckled with campsites, remote islands and magical swim spots. This open river meadow is found down quiet lanes – just the place for family picnics. Or walk downstream from Henley, past Temple Island with its 18th-century folly, a favourite spot during the annual Royal Regatta.
Find it: Signed off the A4130 two miles east of Henley. At The Flower Pot Hotel follow Ferry Lane to a small car park at the end. Meadow is upstream to the left.
GPS: 51.5540, -0.8666
- Alamy
Buscot Weir, River Thames, Oxfordshire, England
A wonderfully large, deep weir pool with willows and alders, multiple rope swings and lawns, beside a pretty National Trust hamlet. A short walk or canoe upstream leads to the old Cheese Wharf, now a little wooded roadside picnic spot (bring your own cheese).
Find it: Head east from Lechlade (A417, Buscot direction) past the Trout Inn, continue for half a mile to find parking on the left for the Cheese Wharf. Continue on and turn left in Buscot to find a car park (SN7 8DA) after about 500ft.
GPS: 51.6809, -1.6683
Waterfall Woods, Brecon Beacons, Wales
The trees resound with the sound of falling water. Lower Ddwli Falls is my favourite, a huge open pool with a great arc of a waterfall. Spray lifts up through the leaves and on a sunny day there are rainbows everywhere. Moss and fern grow in profusion. Walk upstream two miles from Pontneddfechan's Angel Inn.
- Daniel Start
Sulhamstead, River Kennet, Berkshire, England
This one is just off the M4 near Reading, where the River Kennet flows through beautiful open meadows with good access in both directions from Tyle Mill Lock. There are ancient willow trees upstream and a pretty swing bridge downstream, leading eventually to Sheffield Bottom Lock. The whole bank is on the National Cycle Route 4, leading into the centre of Reading.
Find it: Turn off the A4 at the Spring Inn, two miles west of M4 junction 12, and find parking at the second bridge (RG7 4BS). Old willows upstream. Or cycle from Reading train station.
GPS: 51.4186, -1.0999
- Daniel Start
Godalming, River Wey, Surrey, England
Close to London, the Surrey Hills are a land of glorious woodlands. The chalky ridge of the North Downs sweeps through the middle of Surrey, bisected by the River Wey, a little known navigation open to canoeists and paddleboarders. Fringed by meadow and ancient oaks, it’s also a great place for a longer swim.
**Find it:**From the Manor Inn pub garden (A3100/Guildford Road), follow the river path downstream to open fields, a walk of about 985ft).
GPS: 51.1984, -0.5862
Linhope Spout, River Breamish, Northumberland, England
It's a long walk to the Spout but the high plume is worth it: it tips down a straight chute into an almost perfect cylindrical plunge pool - believed to be bottomless - with a six-foot ledge for acrobatic jumps and dives. Follow signs to Ingram/Breamish Valley, then it's a mile and three quarters by foot.
- Getty Images
Ensfield Bridge, River Medway, Kent, England
The banks slope steeply into rich, clean and weed-free water. The High Weald’s sandstone ridge, topped with heathland forest, is the watershed for the River Medway, so don’t be surprised if the pool appears a little dark and foreboding – the peaty smell and brownish hue are flavoured by the woodlands above, and to swim is to be infused with an elixir of leaf litter and pine cones. It’s also a sunny stretch with paths in both directions – it can be reached via the National Cycle Route 12, which connects upstream to elegant Penshurst Place or downstream to lakes.
Find it: West of Tonbridge, a mile south of Leigh station (near TN11 8RZ).
GPS: 51.1857, 0.2133
- Alamy
Balmer Lawn, Lymington River, Hampshire, England
The New Forest covers 150 square miles of woodland and wilderness, famously once the royal hunting forest. There are few rivers, but one notable mention is Lymington at Balmer Lawn, very popular for picnics and paddling, with easy access right by the road. Neat, well-groomed beaches lead to a deeper pool near the bridge. Ideal for taking the kids.
Find it: Half a mile north of Brockenhurst on the A337, turn right onto the B3055 to find a car park immediately on the right before SO42 7TS.
GPS: 50.8266, -1.5707
- Getty Images
Barcombe Mills, River Ouse, East Sussex, England
This popular stretch of grassy riverbank and meadow is Lewes’s alternative to nearby Brighton beach, with plenty of room for lounging around. Follow the footpath upstream a mile to the Anchor Inn, a remote waterside pub that hires out row boats. There’s deeply bucolic swimming and sailing for another two miles upstream.
**Find it:**Two miles north of Lewes, turn left at signposted Barcombe off the A26. Find a car park on the right in a mile, after the road to BN8 5BY, and head upstream past sluices to field.
GPS: 50.9151, 0.0411
Wadenhoe, River Nene, Northamptonshire
A chain of wildlife-rich wetlands from the floodplains of the Nene Valley and marshy meadows fringe the riverbanks. There’s excellent water access through the Titchmarsh Nature Reserve and in Wadenhoe there’s a handsome riverside pub and pretty church. A fun place for messing about with inflatable boats.
**Find it:**Park at the pub (the Kings Head) and walk along the river path towards the church and then upstream for up to half a mile.
GPS: 52.4390, -0.5156
Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle, Skye, Scotland
Known in Gaelic as Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh, these enchanting, rowan-clad waterfalls are tinged with pink and blue and set under the misty peaks of the Black Cuillins. The water is crystal-clear, there's a 20ft jump and an underwater arch to swim through. To find it, follow signs for Glen Brittle.
- Alamy
Pavenham, River Great Ouse, Bedfordshire, England
Don’t be put off by the name: the Great Ouse just means slow and strong. Between Pavenham and the church at Stevington there’s a great meander of the river with willows, deep water and rope swings, all following the John Bunyan Trail, named for the 17th-century writer of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
**Find it:**Pass The Cock pub (MK43 7NJ, +44 1234 822834), then turn left down Mill Lane and take the footpath to the river. You can continue downstream all the way to Park End church.
GPS: 52.1868, -0.5570
- Alamy
Bengeo, River Beane, Hertfordshire, England
Just a stone’s throw from London, with easy access by train, this river meadow and footbridge is on the other side of Hartham Common with good swimming spots up or downstream, including a weir and a waterfall.
**Find it:**Seek out St Leonard’s Church (SG14 3JW, all the way down New Road from Bengeo main street, past Holy Trinity church). Pass through the gate onto Hartham Common, then take a 330ft walk to the bridge. You can catch the train to Hertford East station (head north via Mill Road, across the canal, 1,640ft) or Hertford North station.
GPS: 51.8059, -0.0683
- Getty Images
Nayland, River Stour, Suffolk, England
Inland Suffolk is a rural area of big skies, pretty villages and empty roads. The peaceful Stour winds through woods filled with birdsong and the rustling of leaves, with working mills along the way. At Nayland, the river opens out onto a waterside pub with a small jetty where you can land a canoe or paddleboard.
Find it: Follow the footpath from behind the Anchor Inn on Court Street. Stroll downstream as far as the footbridge and walk back on the other bank.
GPS: 51.9675, 0.8725
Ten Mile Bank, Downham Market, Norfolk
In the remote heartland of the Fens, gates and pump stages drain the lowlands through Brandon Creek and Denver Sluice to the Wash. At Ten Mile Bank there are wooden pontoons and high grassy spots to picnic on. A tiny little lane follows the river for miles, perfect for a swim-cycle tour. The Fen Rivers Way footpath meanders along the other bank. Watch out for boats.
Find it: From the bridge at Ten Mile Bank (PE38 0HB, off the A10 three and a half miles south of Downham Market roundabout), explore along the riverside lane for three miles north or south. There are train stations at Downham Market and Littleport.
GPS: 52.5525, 0.3586
Wimborne Minster, River Stour, Bournemouth, England
This swimming hole is at the site of an old Roman road and ford, and it's fun to think legionnaires would have stopped here for a dip on a hot day. There's a footbridge and shallow pool for families, and a long, deep section upstream you can snorkel along amongst the water lilies - for up to 10 miles if you wish.
Claverton Weir, River Avon, Somerset, England
This long, curving weir is set within meadows by the canal path three miles east from Bath. Swim from the old ferryman's steps, catch minnows in the shallows or shower under sparkling cascades. It's a wonderful place to spot kingfishers and herons; at dusk you might see glowworms. There's a great vibe here on sunny days so bring your guitar.
Wastwater, Lake District, England
Steep white scree slopes plunge 500 metres into England's deepest lake, overlooked by Scafell Pike, its highest mountain. I like to swim across to the opposite shore, clamber around on the giant rocks then dive back in. After you've dried off on the quartz-sand beach, treat yourself to a pint at the Wasdale Head Inn.
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