Guest post by Dakota Murphey
The UK and Ireland have a wealth of great beaches, rivers, lakes, and stunning outdoor swim spots for adventure-seekers who love wild swimming in natural locations. If you’re planning a staycation with lots of inviting swim options close by, there are some incredible places to be discovered on your doorstep.
In recent years, wild swimming has become increasingly popular thanks to its well-documented health benefits. In addition to the mere exhilaration and sense of freedom plunging into (often cold) water and being immersed in nature, swimmers report improved mental health, lower stress levels, better sleep and boosted immunity to name a few.
Meanwhile, there is a positive social side to wild swimming too, with the national Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) experiencing an ongoing rise in members who are all keen to share their experiences, safety tips and amazing locations both at home and abroad. While the popularity of outdoor swimming is so buoyant, here are some great places to head to before everyone else finds them …
Sussex
Sunshine House
Sussex is spoiled with beaches, fast-flowing rivers and streams flowing through it. The River Ouse winds through the Sussex Downs and is one of the most beautiful waterways in the southeast. Meanwhile, Barcombe Mills and the riverside Anchor Inn is a lovely place to rent a paddle boat if you want a break from swimming. Sunshine House in stunning Normans Bay between Bexhill and Pevensey is an excellent place to rest your head after a day of splashing about along the Sussex coast. The secluded shingle beach nearby offers clear waters and stunning chalk cliff views.
Arundel Castle looks down upon the River Arun
In West Sussex, the River Arun meanders through the countryside and is perfect for a refreshing swim on a sunny day, as is Arundel Lido with its unique backdrop of Arundel Castle. En route, stop at the picturesque village of Amberley for a swim near the old working mills or pop into the Riverside Brewery on the river bank. After your dip, Sussex villages and towns have attractive pubs and shady waterside venues with louvered pergolas to escape the midday sun.
Down the coast from the charming cathedral city of Chichester is sandy West Wittering Beach. This unspoiled Sussex gem is ideal for a bracing swim followed by relaxing on the dunes. Nearby Hampden Brew Horseshoe Lake can be found in the High Weald’s area of outstanding beauty and has tree-fringed pools to escape to for a swim on a hot day. Once a millpond, today it’s a wildlife haven perfect for swimming and picnicking on the grassy banks.
Dorset
Durdle Door
From chalky fossil walks along Dorset‘s Jurassic Coast, the iconic Durdle Door arch and picture-perfect Lulworth Cove are idyllic swimming locations with their gently sloping beaches. Man O’War Beach near Durdle Door offers relatively sheltered waters and a backdrop of striking geology, but be careful to time your swim for low tides to avoid strong currents.
Elderwood Retreat
Once you’ve arrived in this scenic area, Elderwood Retreat is a luxurious option for families and large groups of swimmers thanks to its inviting indoor swimming pool if the weather outside puts you off a beach trip. Outside, the property’s vast 14 acres mean there’s a lot to explore here. For a more adventurous Dorset dip, you can head to Mupe Bay near Lyme Regis and be rewarded with another unforgettable Jurassic swim.
Meanwhile, Chesil Beach is a great spot for swimming and was made famous by author Ian McEwan’s masterpiece and film adaptation, On Chesil Beach. Otherwise, head to River Cottage headquarters for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s more ambitious menus. Bridport is also home to the stunning West Beach and is a thriving cultural market town.
Cotswolds and Gloucestershire
Bourton-on-the-Water
The attractive Cotswolds is a charming fusion of country villages, green rolling countryside, colourful gardens and magnificent historic castles. The River Windrush at Bourton-on-the-Water is a quintessential Cotswolds swimming spot. This picturesque village is known for its series of low bridges over the shallow river running through the centre – perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm day before stopping for a cream tea.
Near Cirencester, in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside and just a few minutes from the village of Stadhampton, the Cotswold Water Park’s network of lakes, like Keynes Country Park, offers lakeside beaches that are calm and clean for swimmers. The secluded Slaughters stretch of the River Eye between Upper and Lower Slaughter villages showcases traditional stone cottages alongside weeping willows lining the riverbanks – an idyllic place to swim and then enjoy a pint at the Slaughters Country Inn.
Huntsman Lake House
On the edge of the Cotswold Hills just outside the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath lies the vibrant, artistic city of Bristol with its own nearby outdoor swims. If you’re heading here, the Huntsman Lake House is in a sensational location tucked discreetly on a tranquil lake belonging to a prestigious private estate with 850 acres of Cotswolds woodland and meadows. It also boasts several freshwater lakes that are a wildlife haven in the Gloucestershire countryside.
Devon
Woolacombe Beach
Devon is ideal for its striking coastline and natural swimming locations thanks to beautiful rivers, beaches and lakes. On the north coast, the clear waters and sandy coves around Woolacombe and Croyde are popular, while the Fremington Quay area has some wonderful tidal pools. Inland, The River Dart (in Dartmoor National Park) was the setting for Charles Kingsley’s The Water Babies and is an unbeatable area to swim. With its sandy bays and deep pools under the historic Holne Bridge or Sharrah Pools near Ashburton, the Dart is possibly one of the most beautiful rivers. For a unique experience, take a dip in the Mellor’s Quarterly Quarry near Newton Abbot – a former stone quarry with crystal-clear waters.
Colleton Hall
In South Devon, you’ll find the unrivalled grade II listed Colleton Hall nestled within 38 acres of private woodland and parkland. Or opt for Laguna Mansion in pretty Torquay, set in the cliffs above gorgeous coves that are ripe for exploring. Don’t miss Burgh Island, which is only accessible across a quirky sea tidal path, or the striking Yarmer Beach, backed by towering cliffs.
Cornwall
Tintagel Bay waterfalls
Cornwall is well known for its range of sandy beaches and hidden coves. Porthcurno Beach near Penzance has an almost tropical feel with its soft white sands, turquoise waters and high sheltering cliffs that create ideal swimming conditions. Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula is one of Cornwall’s most photographed beaches, featuring dramatic rock stacks and caves.
For a more secluded swim, head to Rocky Valley near Tintagel in Cornwall, and its famous castle. Make time, however, for upstream at the unmissable St Nectan’s Kieve’s Waterfall for the ultimate plunge pool experience. Other must-visit Cornish outdoor swims include the Blue Pools near St Minver, Golitha Falls on the edge of Bodmin Moor, and Lantic Bay’s sheltered cove reached via the coastal path.
Hampshire (New Forest)
The Brick House
The New Forest National Park in Hampshire offers numerous idyllic spots for wild swimming in rivers, ponds and coastal waters. A favourite is Hilltop Pond near Beaulieu Road Station, with its clear waters and grassy banks perfect for picnicking.
The Brick House holds a wonderful location nestled within the New Forest National Park in a privileged position right on the very edge of the privately owned Beaulieu River. After a reviving dip in the river, guests can relax in the property’s beautiful gardens. For a coastal swim, head to Lepe Beach on the shores of the Solent. This sheltered pebble and sand beach allows safe swimming off its dog-friendly shores. Alternatively, seek out one of the hidden coves along the region’s unspoilt coastline like Princecroft Cove near Keyhaven.
Inland, the Lakes at Warbrook provide a scenic spot for a swim, with small beach areas around the serene waters. Or take a dip in the natural pools of the Highland Water stream that winds through the heathland and forests of the New Forest. Wherever you choose, the New Forest’s combination of gentle rivers, clear ponds and saltwater coastline offers ample opportunity to cool off with a swim surrounded by beautiful nature reserves. Just take precautions for any currents or submerged hazards.
Yorkshire
Eden House
Yorkshire offers some fantastic outdoor swimming locations, from scenic river pools to hidden-away limestone gorges. Nestled on the fabulous 3,000-acre Broughton Sanctuary estate, the wonderful Eden House provides families and friends the perfect abode for exploring the revered Yorkshire Dales after a refreshing swim. In the heart of the Dales, don’t miss the pristine pools and falls of Appletreewick on the River Wharfe. This delightful Lower Wharfedale stretch has two pubs and a pleasant lane leading through fields to a pretty river pool with a small island. Note that submerged rocks make diving dangerous here.
River Coquet
To the northeast of Hadrian’s Wall lies Cheviot Hills, the deep remote valleys around Sillmoor on the River Coquet provide idyllic swim spots. Sillmoor features a stretch of perfect river pools bounded by grassy moorland, open meadows, rapids and even a waterfall. The Yorkshire Dales National Park offers many other swimming options, such as Strid Wood on the River Wharfe and the Goit Stock Waterfalls near Cullingworth is another beautiful swim setting. For rugged coastal swims, Saltwick Bay near Whitby or Cayton Bay south of Scarborough provides invigorating swims with breathtaking backdrops.
Ireland
Kinsale Hall
Ireland offers incredible outdoor swimming opportunities, from secluded beaches and lakes to tumbling river pools. The famous Forty Foot promontory on the shores of Dublin Bay allows you to experience swimming even in Ireland’s capital city.
County Cork, in particular, provides some stellar locations. The delightful Kinsale Hall is just under 2km from the outskirts of Kinsale, a town referred to as Ireland’s Riviera because of its beauty and inviting swim settings. This picturesque town has renowned restaurants, lively pubs, and a stunning waterfront setting surrounded by ancient forts. It’s also a top destination for activities like sailing, deep-sea fishing, diving, watersports and golf.
Near Kinsale, don’t miss a swim at Garretstown Beach, an elongated sandy stretch perfect for bracing dips in the ocean. The Bullrock at Robert’s Cove is another local swimming hole, comprising natural pools and caves to explore. Farther west, the Mizen Peninsula has many incredible swim spots like Barleycove Beach with its waterfall and Crookhaven’s sheltered harbour cove. Inland, take a dip in the peaceful lakes of Gougane Barra or brave the year-round chill of Glencar Lake’s waters in Sligo.
Scotland
Loch Na Bo House
Although you’ll need to brace yourself for the cold, Scotland‘s lochs, rivers, and coastal areas provide ample opportunity for wild swimming in breathtaking natural settings. Loch Na Bo House is truly magical nestled on the banks of its namesake loch and surrounded by 800 acres of woodland. Located between Aberdeen and Inverness, this ideal swim-loving retreat is around 15 minutes from Elgin which makes it an incredible base for exploring.
The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye lie serenely in a sheltered glade of red-berried rowans and lilac rock. The misty towers of the Black Cullin kingdom rise above like great Gaudi spires, the remnants of a huge volcano. For an adventurous swim, head to Long Canyon on the River Etive in Glen Coe. This little-known valley just south of the famous glen holds spectacular pools and gorges amid its dramatic scenery.
Where will you head to go wild swimming first? No doubt this selection of fabulous wild swimming spots has piqued your interest to explore the UK and Ireland, so check out our beautiful villas across the British Isles to find your perfect stay. View the full portfolio on Oliver’s Travels and get in touch with our concierge team to discuss options for some luxury extras. It’s always great to have a post-swim treat!
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