Island bagging and wild swimming – best secret islands for skinny dipping
By wildswim at October 14, 2020 | 8:55 pm | 0 Comment
Lisa Drew, author of island bagging book Islandeering, shares her favourite secret islands around Britain for wild swimming and skinny dipping. Britain is fringed by a constellation of thousands of uninhabited or little-known islands. Islandeering is the ultimate way to explore these retreats, by circumnavigating their outermost land edge and exploring the natural
Winter swimming and cold water immersion – how and why to do it
By wildswim at October 2, 2020 | 10:07 am | 0 Comment
After a blissful summer of swimming everyday in my local river, I am trying to keep dipping through the autumn, and I am going to see how long I can keep it up - perhaps even becoming a real winter swimmer! I almost always combine with a run - somehow a wild swim is its most refreshing when you're hot and sweaty! But hat's the best way to winter swim, and is it even good
Wild swimming kit, gifts, equipment and accessories
By wildswim at September 20, 2020 | 8:22 am | 0 Comment
Well, if you come across a magical pool on a walk it’s quite possible to swim without any kit, and that's part of the beauty of wild swimming. Just wear your undies or go naked if it is secluded. If you have no towel wipe most of the water off with your hands then sacrifice one item of clothing to dry yourself or travel with a small, light cotton sarong (which can also
River and Water Quality for wild swimming
By wildswim at July 2, 2020 | 9:51 am | 1 Comments
A new campaign from The Rivers Trust show the location of all sewage outflows, including 'CSOs' which should only discharge during periods of exceptionally high rain. Open the map to check out your local stretch of rover to see where sewage discharges are, and how often CSO tend to discharge, in their new river water quality interactive map. You can read more about the
Wild Swimming access, legal and law – am I allowed to wild swim in rivers and lakes?
By wildswim at March 11, 2020 | 9:26 am | 1 Comments
Staying Legal and Respecting Others If you swim in a water body you need to make your own judgement and undertake your own research about whether it is legal to do so, but these pages may help you decide. Summary Right to swim is complex, and there is so simple answer re 'am I allowed to swim here'. Riparian owners (who own the riverbank and bed of the river,
Best Wild Swims in Wales
By wildswim at July 11, 2018 | 5:41 pm | 0 Comment
Daniel Start, author of the new Wild Guide to Wales, shares his all-time favourite wild swims of Wales.. p.s. are you looking for somewhere by the Welsh coast to stay? Wild Swimming now has two beautiful places to rent out on the north Pembrokeshire coast near Newport with views over the Preseli mountains. Perfect for beaches, coves and swimming in the Witches
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Best wild swims in Scotland
By wildswim at May 15, 2017 | 8:59 am | 0 Comment
Co-author of the new Wild Guide Scotland, Richard Gaston, shares his top 5 Scottish wild swimming locations: The water quality is often exceptional, but temperatures are very low. That said, after the initial shock of plunging in, wild swimming in Scotland provides an incredibly invigorating and therapeutic experience all set against a backdrop of jaw-dropping scenery;
Portugal – the best wild swimming – rivers, waterfalls, lakes and hidden coves
By wildswim at February 23, 2017 | 8:33 am | 0 Comment
Edwina Pitcher, author of the new Wild Guide to Portugal, shares some of hr favourite wild swim spots. With mountains that stretch down to the sea, plus sunshine and rain, Portugal is a wild swimmer's paradise. The Portuguese culture of visiting praias fluviais – river beaches – then reaches its zenith, and Sundays are idled away on river banks, cooking lunch on
The ten most spectacular swimming hole locations in Sydney, Australia
By Hannah Hargrave at October 1, 2015 | 12:23 pm | 0 Comment
This month we're publishing Wild Swimming Sydney Australia. Here the authors, Sally Tertini and Steve Pollard, reveal the most beautiful and stunning outdoor swimming spots in and around Sydney: Erskine Creek at Jack Evans Track, Great Blue Mountains South (above) This is such an enticing place to escape the city and spend a weekend – a 200m
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Wild Swimming Near Waterfalls – The Best Locations
By Hannah Hargrave at August 25, 2015 | 1:02 pm | 0 Comment
Have you completed your #wildsummer challenges yet? Here, Daniel Start reveals the best wild swimming with waterfalls: St Nectan's Kieve, Tintagel At the head of a wild glen a tall, slender waterfall falls into a high basin, flows through a circular hole and drops into a plunge pool (the kieve). This is a holy place with prayer flags, a shrine room above and
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Wild Swimming Under Sea Arches and into Sea Caves: The Best Places to Complete Our #WildSummer Challenges
By Hannah Hargrave at August 18, 2015 | 12:33 pm | 0 Comment
Have you completed our #wildsummer challenges yet? Here, Daniel Start reveals the best places to wild swim into sea caves and under sea arches: Baggy Point Caves, North Devon A long tunnel, empty at low tide or you can swim through at high tide. Take care if there is swell. Park in the NT car park (EX33 1PA) at the end of Moor Lane, signed Baggy Point
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Wild Swimming Sydney Australia – swimming holes guidebook
By Hannah Hargrave at July 28, 2015 | 4:07 pm | 0 Comment
250 best swimming holes, rock pools, beaches, rivers and waterholes To be published: 12th October 2015, £16.99 Sydney is surrounded by some of Australia’s most beautiful national parks and wilderness areas, and one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines. Wild Swimming Sydney Australia details over 250 amazing swimming holes and places to swim, all
The Perfect Summer Wild Swim
By Hannah Hargrave at July 1, 2015 | 11:45 am | 0 Comment
In our new Wild Guide book, Daniel Start searches for some of the best wild swimming spots in south east England. Here, he shares his favourites for a dip during the hot weather: Pangbourne, River Thames Nearest train station: Pangbourne Meandering through rolling countryside and stone villages, the River Thames offers some of the most civilised swims in
Guest Post: Swimming the Eden
By wildswim at June 1, 2015 | 10:26 am | 0 Comment
Calum Hudson, one of three brothers taking part in the Swim the Eden Expedition, tells us why he loves wild swimming so much - and shares his favourite wild swims. We grew up swimming, fishing, kayaking and playing along the river, launching ourselves from the bottom of our garden in Langwathby. One of our favourite places along the banks was Lacy Caves just past
The Bantham Swoosh: How to Wild Swim Twice as Fast
By wildswim at May 14, 2015 | 11:09 am | 0 Comment
Want to boost your swim speed? No need to put in extra training hours, simply join the Bantham Swoosh, a new event from the Outdoor Swimming Society on Sunday 5th July. "Unique features of this event include a sandy shallow estuary, which gives a fish eye view of the estuary bed, and a 'swoosh' at the end,” says event director Kate Rew. “A combination of tidal flow
Summer Wild Swimming Walks
By wildswim at May 5, 2015 | 1:03 pm | 0 Comment
We are very excited to announce a series of 'Wild Swimming Walks' events to celebrate the launch of our new book Join the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association on their favourite countryside walks across southern and eastern England. These wild swimming walks - all accessible by train - lead to secret lakes, river meadows and sandy seaside beaches. 6th
Wild Swimming Micro Adventures – the best wild swims in Britain
By wildswim at March 23, 2015 | 8:17 pm | 0 Comment
Wild Swimming is a fantastic way to have a micro-adventure close to home - low on hassle and high in adrenaline and fun. Daniel, author of the Wild Swimming and Wild Guides was speaking at the fundraiser Night of Adventure organised by Alastair Humphreys and the brilliant charity Hope and Homes. He tells us about his own journey into wild swimming, and his favourite
The Thrill of the Chill
By wildswim at January 28, 2015 | 5:28 pm | 0 Comment
If you think winter swimming is only for the very brave (or the very foolish), Jonathan Buckley tells us why we shouldn’t let some nippy weather get in the way of stripping and dipping… Last Saturday Tooting Bec Lido hosted the 6th UK Cold Water Swimming Championships. Hardy swimmers embraced this cold water swimming festival – all in water less than
Wild Locations for New Outdoor Swimmers
By Hannah Hargrave at June 2, 2014 | 5:08 pm | 0 Comment
Wild swimming is becoming increasingly popular with more and more people testing the waters in British rivers, lakes and at the coast. Are you interested in trying wild swimming but are not sure where to go? Here Daniel Start, the author of Wild Swimming, reveals the best locations for first time wild swimmers to head to… The Coast The Lulworth coast, from
Wild Swimming Italy
By wildswim at February 26, 2014 | 8:06 pm | 1 Comments
The Wild Swimming series travels to Italy to explore freshwater lakes, river beaches and lagoons. • Dip in to the emerald-green plunge pools of Sicily and swim at river beaches in Campania • Discover the secret hot springs of Tuscany and amazing waterfalls of the Dolomiti • Explore the hidden shores of Lake Como and Garda Perfect for family explorers or
Hidden Beaches – Secret Coast of Britain Book
By wildswim at February 26, 2014 | 7:38 pm | 0 Comment
In this spectacular and practical guide Daniel Start, best-selling author of Wild Swimming, charts Britain’s most beautiful secret beaches, describing the best places to swim, walk and explore. Britain has some of the most amazing coastline in the world, and it is more accessible than ever before, yet many of its beaches remain hidden. These little slices of peace
New Wild Running Book
By wildswim at May 3, 2013 | 11:33 am | 0 Comment
150 great adventures on the trails and fells of Britain Jen and Sim Benson, £16.99 Buy the Book from our online shop Wild Running is the first UK guidebook for those who love to run and who dream of exploring Britain’s spectacular mountains, forests and coastal trails. Featuring 150 hand-picked runs, chosen for simple navigation and sensational beauty, this
Wild Guide book – Guide to the South West
By wildswim at May 1, 2013 | 11:03 pm | 2 Comments
Wild Guide book - Devon, Cornwall and the South-West New from the publishers of Wild Swimming, the Wild Guide book takes you on a voyage of discovery to the lesser-known corners of Britain’s favourite holiday region. Featuring over 500 ideas to help you plan the perfect escape, this is the ultimate local guide to river swimming, secret coves, ancient forests,
Wild Swimming – new book – 300 hidden dips
By wildswim at March 20, 2013 | 9:06 am | 5 Comments
Imagine a summertime tour through the wildest and most beautiful regions of Britain - boating, camping and swimming along the way. Wild Swimming - inspired by Roger Deakin's cult-classic Waterlog - is a celebration of wilderness dipping, natural bathing and riverside picnics. Best-selling book Wild Swimming combines inspirational photos, engaging writing and
Sea swimming safety, dangers and risks
By wildswim at July 4, 2012 | 12:25 pm | 10 Comments
Escaping a rip is straightforward if you are a strong swimmer and remain calm. People drown from panic, followed by exhaustion, so never fight against the current. Keep an eye on a shore landmark to establish whether you are in a rip. If so, stand or wade if possible. If not, swim out of it at 90 degrees parallel to the beach for about 20m. Once out of the rip, head back
Getting Started
By wildswim at June 12, 2012 | 9:19 am | 7 Comments
A scorching hot summer’s day is a great time for swimming, and it can be exciting on rainy or cooler days too... What if the water is cold? Water temperatures can vary. Shallow lakes can get up to a blamy 25C in summer but mountain rivers may struggle to reach 20C. Much of the year outdoor waters are around 12C - 17C so the key is to arrive at the swimming hole so
Wild Swimming health, safety, risks and dangers
By wildswim at April 3, 2012 | 2:09 pm | 25 Comments
Not being able to swim - sounds obvious but shallow water can deepen suddenly. If you, your children or your friends cannot swim make sure you scout out the extent of the shallows, set clear boundaries and keep constant supervision. Remember that even shallow sections of fast-flowing water can knock you off your feet. Be careful with inflatables, which can create a false
History of Wild Swimming
By wildswim at April 3, 2012 | 1:35 pm | 1 Comments
wild-swimming (vb.): 1. Swimming in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and waterfalls. Often associated with picnics and summer holidays. 2. Dipping or plunging in secret or hidden places, sometimes in wilderness areas. Associated with skinny-dipping or naked swimming, often with romantic connotations. 3. Action of swimming wildly such as jumping or diving from
Health Benefits
By wildswim at April 2, 2012 | 9:21 pm | 0 Comment
From a secular perspective the health and psychological benefits of dipping in natural waters were also long known. George Bernard Shaw, Benjamin Britten, Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale were all advocates of regular cold baths to strengthen the mental constitution and physical state. Cold immersion soothes muscle aches, relieves depression and boosts the immune
Wild Swimming France – Special Offer
By wildswim at December 18, 2011 | 4:30 pm | 0 Comment
Daniel Start returns with a dazzling new travel guide book to France, for families and adventurers alike. Dip in to the emerald-green plunge pools of Provence and swim beneath the great châteaux of the Loire and Dordogne. Discover the unspoilt crater lakes of the Massif Central or relax in secluded hot springs in the woodlands of the Pyrénées. Recommendations
About this website
By wildswim at June 27, 2011 | 4:56 pm | 2 Comments
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