Jun 25

Jun 25 Great spots for wild swimming

I’ve been itching to write a blog in this section of the website that’s about something other than a virtual adventure, and now, finally, I can.

Because yesterday, for the first time since the lockdown conditions were imposed, I ventured further than just the immediate area I live in, to do something that is one of my favourite summertime activities - wild swimming. And boy did it feel good.

I have always loved water of every kind (I suppose if I was that way inclined, I’d credit that to my Aquarian birth sign). The sea is the stand out number one on my watery hit list. I’m at my happiest on a beach, walking, wading and swimming in the waves (you can find out where my top sea side spots are here.) But not far behind in the number two slot, is wild water of any kind - lakes, rivers, streams, I’m not fussy, I love them all.

Discovering the joy of swimming in the wild

Considering how much I revel being in these wild water places, it took me a very long time to discover the liberating joy of swimming in the inviting water. I honestly have no idea why that is, but I’ve tried my best to make up for lost time by wild swimming outdoors whenever I can. Though I do have to admit I’m not yet enough of a convert to plunge in when the weather is less than warm. I’m working up to being brave enough to do that.

A very special wild swimming spot in London

Although I live in the suburbs of London, I’m incredibly lucky to have one of the city’s most stunning wild water swimming spots very close to my home.

The swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath (there’s one for men, one for women and one mixed one) were originally dug as reservoirs in the 18th century and are arguably in one of the most beautiful spots in the capital.

The women’s swimming pond on Hampstead Heath

The women’s pond is surrounded by oak trees and wild flower meadows where, on a hot day, there’s barely a square inch of grass visible between the sunbathing bathers on their colourful towels.

It’s positively magical to float in the cool, brackish (carefully monitored) water, looking up at the huge trees, to swim past the resident heron and ducks, and to enjoy the sounds of nature and the happy chatter of the other swimmers of every age.

For obvious reasons, the ponds have been closed throughout the lockdown period, and although there’s a hope they will re-open some time soon (you can check for opening info on their website), I’ve missed both the exercise and the boost to my mental wellbeing that my dips in the wildly refreshing water give me, dreadfully.

Finding somewhere new to swim in the wild

So as the lockdown restrictions have gradually eased, and as my desire to be immersed in both the water and nature have exponentially increased, I looked around for the nearest place where I could satiate my aqua-angst (an alliteration too far?)

What I found was a glorious spot on a sweeping bend of the River Thames just outside the pretty town of Marlow. With a grassy bank to chill on and easy, step-down access into the water, it proved the perfect way to get back into the wild water that I love so much.

The River Thames just outside Marlow. A perfect spot for wild swimming

Accompanied by several paddle-boarders, a couple of inflatable dinghies, and a handful of other swimmers, and passed at a safe distance by a number of pleasure boats, I glided past the tree-lined banks, and enjoyed the, literally water-side, view of two magnificent houses with their fabulous gardens running down to the river.

Turning to swim back to my bank-side spot, I realised just how much of a current there was in the still, flat water. I’m a strong swimmer and it was noticeably harder swimming against it, something important to bear in mind if you’re swimming in a river.

Apparently there’s more family-friendly swimming a little further to the east of this spot (which is at the end of Ferry Lane, if you fancy trying to find it for yourself) with a beach that runs into the river. I might try and find that next time. Because there will definitely be a next time!

Wild swimming much further afield

Driving home I thought about the other places I’ve swum in the wild and particularly the incredible river and waterfall pool plunges I experienced staying in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Belize. And the fabulous river-side hike we had to take to reach the latter of those.

The fabulous waterfall pool at the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Belize

How magnificently different the craggy rocks and towering pine trees were to the scenery I’m used to when I’m lucky enough to be immersed in one of my favourite happy places.

To find out more about wild swimming and where you can do it in the UK, this is an excellent website and Countryfile Magazine has a list of important things you should do to make sure you’re as safe as possible when you’re swimming in the wonderful wild.

I’d love to know if you’ve ever tried wild water swimming and if so, where