The legendary river swimming club, founded in the 1930s and with over 2000 members today. A pool above a small weir on the rive Frome. Sociable and perfect for picnics. Chairman is father of wild swimming, Rob Fryer. Local campsite and riverbank owners: www.stowfordmanorfarm.co.uk The home of English wild swimming?

A wide curving river meader, now a lake, the flow having been diverted through the new cut. You can swim anywhere along this beautiful valley and combine it with a sea swim as well.

Steps formerly used by the Walton Swimming Club.

The club's old changing rooms are now used as a clubhouse by the Thames Valley Skiff Club who still swim here on warm days.

A small beach here makes entry easy into the Thames.

A quiet spot off the beaten track. May be quiet enough for skinny dipping if you are not too nervous.

A number of popular swimming spots on this Thames backwater.

Just 200m across the field from the main road bridge (Lesbury A1068) you'll find a secret arbor of Balsam, meadow and shallows under a weir. A long stretch of river above is good for swimming and there is a tree you can jump in from.

Follow the footpath up river from the road bridge 500m west of Bothal and you will soon come to an old weir with a fun set of salmon steps, up to 1m deep!

head out of dunoon on the a815, and take a left turn at the signpost for glen massan. go through the trees, past teh houses, and up the hill. further up the hill, the road widens significantly for a short distance. park here, and head through the trees to the river. explore!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrpattersonsir/203241395/

Cripplegate Lake in Southwater Country Park has a dedicated beach for swimming (at the left of the picture).

Its easy to get to off the A24 and the Park has free parking and a cafe and watersports hire (opposite end to the swimming beach). There is also a good adventure playground.

On the young river Derwent, downstream of the foot bridge, about a mile up from the car park at the road end of the Derwent / Lady Bower Reservoir. If you can find it there is a very deep pool, about 3-4m.



John Robert Shepherds on Flickr says: "Water crystal clear but tinted brown and strangely fizzy. Imagine swimming in Coke. I'm happy and it shows."

There is a disused mill, weir and pool here at the bottom of the lane, excellent for swimming and popular with the locals. The mill has suffered an arson attack and can no longer be jumped off, but the water is still lovely and you can swim up or down the river, with the fields and trees around.

A wonderful cove that fills up at high tide into a fairly wave-free swimming spot with jumping in opportunities. If you go there at low tide it's possible to walk over to the neighbouring beach Combesgate for some fantastic breakers which are great for body boarding as the tide comes back in. Photo to follow

Beautiful clear water and nice to swim along by the caves and inlets from the west side of the beach

Mullinavat is a village north of Waterford on the main N9 road to Dublin. Turn off in the village between the two pubs. Take the next left turn where the road veers right and drive until you see the sign for the waterfall.
Basin at base of waterfall is safe to swim in. A popular swimming spot at weekends during the summer with local children and adults alike.

Park up on the road in one of the two layby's either side of the bridge. You can access the river on both banks on the downstream side of the bridge, but the southern bank offers the nicest spot and catches the afternoon and evening sun. However the best way to get in is to jump from the bridge! It's plenty deep enough. There's scope for long swims up and then back down the river towards Grindleford.

Nice bend in river with sandy bank. swim upstream for quieter spots as due to a rope swing this can get visited. but far enough off track to not be a problem. follow path that runs along cliff top parallel to river to get here. enjoy!

At high tide it's possible to jump from the lip of the cave into the sea below - around 30 feet. There are numerous ways to get back out most of which require a degree of skill in rock climbing. Charlie Don't Surf is a fun little E4 on the right hand side of the arch of the cave as you are looking in.

Gaddings Dam, swim on top of the moors in a small dam built in 1830's to provide power for a local mill. Glorious!

Coniston Water. Enjoyed a swim here many times. Perfect spot for moonlit skinny dip or misty early morning swim in the silver waters.

There is an outdoor locally built pool here with a car park. There is also a beautiful stretch of river for swimming and playing on the weir opposite.
In summer there is normally a lifeguard at the riverside.

Nice little beaches and island to swim to.

stunning setting, gravel beaches. Top scoff at the nearby "Badger Bar"

Good walk up here. Almost infinity pool like effect with the dam. Sometimes has cows. Check for blue green algae

Nice walk up, bigger and more popular with dog walkers than nearby Potter Tarn

Triple Falls is the term given to this set of rapids/waterfalls by the kayaking world. The section from here down to Loch Etive has about 15 waterfalls on, all with various places to swim.

If you are travelling along the A82 to Fort William as you go over Rannoch Moor take the turning on the left, sign posted Glen Etive after the white bridge. Follow the road along for about a mile until you see the first set of waterfalls. Its very easy to notice from the road and there is parking along the side of the road.

 

Small secluded quarry. A relaxing summer evening swim. Some signs warning about swimming and getting cold.

Great river swimming popular with canoe trips along the Wye, some current to swim against some deeper pools for jumping and swinging. Close to a lovely pub and campsite.

Wide, medium flowing river with deep pools by the bridge. Excellent brew van for warming up afterwards too!

Lovely tarn set amongst trees, with a couple of islands for added interest. Path round the lake is popular with walkers, so skinny-dip with discretion! Plenty of parking available just left of "Low Stott Park" on the map, and a clear path leads up to the tarn (10-minute uphill walk) past the first small tarn (Low Dam).



Cate Davies adds:  Every summer we swim at High Dam, a man made lake above Lakeside, at the foot of Windermere.  From Newby Bridge go through Lakeside (big hotel, aquarium etc) and  follow signs for Stott Park Bobbin Mill - which is about 500 metres further on.  Turn left where the road forks, on a bend - at the bobbin mill - then, after about 100m - right into the woods - parking.  Walk uphill for about 15 mins, past the first, smaller lake, and you will arrive at a larger lake. Turn right over the wooden bridge and there are numerous entry points to the water along the banks of the lake.  Deepish, peaty water, but very clean and pleasant to swim in.  2 years ago we saw an adder swim right across the lake!  Looking forward to trying some of your other lake district swims - Buckstones Jum(p) being a long term favourite, esp. with my son and his friends who regularly leap into it.

A great little river pool with a nice bank to lounge around on. According to the book it's normally a nice tame place less than a metre deep. We went when the river was in spate (water up to the bottom of the bridge, and at least 180cm deep) and had a good time, but obviously you need to take great care in these conditions. Had a good time bobbing along down to a get-out 200 metres downstream (just before a wood on the right bank). Access is from Stonesfield (nice pub recommended in the book) or the Roman Villa to the SW (muddy fields possible).

Emily says: "Beautiful deep pool swimming and great place to hang out with friends, by a small waterfall (that can be slid down). Gets sun most of the day".

Janet K says:

Stainforth Falls. Beautiful - very popular - gets especially busy on hot weekends. There are 3 waterfalls increasing in height as you go down river. Each waterfall has a drop pool, but the man poolis at the bottom of the largest fall. Be careful swimming here, however as paople jump and dive off the cliffs so keep away from the edges. Gets very rough after heavy rain of course, and the 2 smaller pools turn into whirlpools which drag you under the waterfall so beware if it looks rough don't go in!
Take the B6479 from Settle then 2nd right into Stainforth where there is a pay and display carpark. Walk back out of the village and cross the B6479 carring further up the road a few yards till you come to Dog Hill Brow on the left - it is marked usuitable for caravans. Follow this road until you get to the little bridge and there are steps here down to the river.

Added by Janet K

Ian says:

A small loch near the high point of Raasay - DunCaan. Picture of a September swim on a beautiful Autumn afternoon.

Raasay lies just off Skye and we walked up to the high point Dunaan  
on Friday 12th September. It was a warm sunny afternoon and this little loch sits just below the summit. The cool peaty water was too inviting to miss.

Ian Orr

Rachel says:

This is a wide open loch surrounded by beautiful mourne mountains, it is best to walk along the left hand side of the loch and swim from the beach it is dark and cool, but you feel totally free out there alone surrounded by the beauty of it all.

Park in the small roadside carpark at J280278. This is on the road
between Bryansford and Kilkeel (which is unnumbered on my map) between
Fofanny Dam Reservoir and Spelga Dam Reservoir. Cross the road and
follow the track up Ott Mountain. Where the path forks take the
rightward track. The path peters out and the ground becomes boggy with
peat hags. But don't worry. Just carry on to the col between Slieve
Lough Shannagh and Carn Mountain where you will find a wall and a stile.
Climb over the stile and descend to Lough Shannagh. The easiest access
is to keep walking, descending slowly, as if you are going to walk past
the Lough and then turn right to meet the Lough's eastern shore. The
walk should take about 1 hour.

Rachel says:

As you follow the path up stream on the right hand side of the river you will come to stone looking little shelter you can either climb over the wall ( this is slightly more private way to get in) or get in before reaching the hermitage and swim round. It is a beautiful pool surrounded by trees and is a clear mountain river.

Go to Tollymore Forest Park, near Newcastle. Walk up the Shimna River
to the Hermitage (there is a sign) and get in. The walk should take
less than half an hour.

At 400m altitude, this fantastic lochan is surrounded by mountains: 2 munros (Beinn Liath Mhor & Sgorr Ruadh) and, even better, the corbett Fuar Tholl. A swim here is best combined with a walk up some of these. About 3km from Achnashellach Station where parking can be found.

Peaceful lake with nice surrounding countryside and view of Victorian castle on the other shore. Water is clean. Access is difficult requiring a short hike through fields and over some fences.

 

A beautiful lake set in the heart of the Lough Key Forest Park. A 560 meter swim to Castle Island in the middle of the lake with great views over the surrounding countryside. Ample parking and facilities.

A wide bay of golden sand. Popular family spot and a firm favourite of windsurfers too. To the south of the busier main bay there are smaller more stoney bays that offer more privacy. The sand dunes offer somewhere discrete to change and dry off. Busy on a hot summer weekend. Ample parking at the end of Marine Terrace and then a 2 minute walk to the beach.

As a nature reserve this wild beach offers unspoilt and varied scenery - from mudflats to sand dunes and wild cliff-top views. The best bathing is to the north where the sands are widest. At the furthest reach of the bay an un-official naturist area offers the chance of a discrete skinny-dip (but don't be surprised if you come across the unsuspecting dog walker or two!). Plenty of parking at the end of Limetree Walk and afterwards the best home baking and coffee are served in the teashop in Tyninghame Village.

Mainly a Waterski/Wakeboard lake, there is a section that has been roped off for swimming with large water trampolines. Great in the summer with a nice club house for food/drinks.

Disabled facilities available.

The Forty Foot Drain at Horseway Lock, looking westward towards Horseway Bridge and the junction with the Sixteen Foot Drain. This section is maintained by the Middle Level Commissioners and is kept in navigable condition.

From Barbara: Take the road to "Glen Orchy" from Bridge of Orchy on the A82 for a little over 4 miles (be careful - this is a very narrow road) and park anywhere you can on the right. There is a beautiful area for swimming in peaty water. Please note that there are some quite strong rapids here, so you must be a strong swimmer.