swim

Ross-on-Wye

Ancient but little known common in tight loop of Wye providing large shingle and sandy beach shelving to large...

Lewes

Fantastic 5km stretch of swimming on river Ouse. No current but clean, deep water. Boat hire. Steep banks.

Ulpha

A clear stream in a gorge beneath an old packhorse bridge. Swim upstream from the rocks to the Waterfall...

Rosthwaite

A deep pot with 6m cliff for jumping. Interesting rock formations. Deep section for about 50m downstream. Upstream current...

Llangollen

A very deep, completely clear azure blue lake at the bottom of a spectacular quarry crater (Moel-y-Faen). Steep scramble...

Fairbourne

A very deep, clear green’blue pool (50m x 30m) in a mysterious cavern entered via a short dark tunnel....

Bodmin, 5km

Still in the Lanhydrock Estate, this swim is off the original driveway to the main house from behind the...

Bolton Abbey

A popular stretch of river in front of the priory ruins. Upstream of stepping stones and bridge is deeper...

Haltwhistle

2021 update: NATIONAL TRUST have written to say swimming is no longer allowed as this is a ‘very important...

Ballater

A gently shelving section of river beach, deepening to 4m, with large flat rocks on the nearside. Elegant white...

Whiddon Down A30, 5km

River-fed swimming pool with cafﾎ set in fields on outskirts of tiny Chagford. Largest outdoor pool in Devon. Upstream...

Lechlade

Cheese Wharf is a roadside glade, deep pool in river bend, rope swing, possible to dive in from bank.

Didcot

A pretty bridge and pub featured in Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat. Sandy bays shelving to...

Sturminster Newton

An open stretch of the Stour with grassy fields by elegant white wrought-iron Colber Bridge. A little weedy and...

Ellesmere

An area of nine glacial meres. Colemere is remote, beautiful and quiet with a shore path and small sailing...

Bolventor, 4km

A huge moorland lake, the highest and largest in Cornwall. Open access on the west side with chalky, shelving...

Port Isaac, 6km

A luscious, chalk-green, spring-fed quarry lake on private land, part of Cornish Tipi Holidays. Wooded cliffs and banks. Very...

Seaford

Wide, shallow, moderately warm oxbow lakes cut off from the main Cuckmere stream. Grass banks and chalky beds. Non...

Golan

A clear blue tarn in a hidden cleft, at the head of one of most remote and beautiful valleys...

Dedham

A beautiful open historic vale, site of Flatford Mill, where people row on boats and occasionally swim. Fen Bridge...

Cannich

Beautiful stretch of river among woods of Scots pine. Good plunge pools above falls. Further down there’s a deep...

Dulsie

Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below.

Eynsford

Clear, clean, shallow ford and stream beds at Eynsford (0.5m) though beware of cars. Upstream a pretty stretch of...

Leominster

Teme runs through sunny open fields, often shallow but with deep pools above several weirs.

Betws-y-Coed

A picturesque, narrow gorge with access for ﾣ1. Some large rocks to sit on and a deep section down...

Trowbridge

One of the country’s last river-swimming clubs occupies a pleasant, deep but narrow stretch of the Frome above a...

Feshiebridge

Fabulous clear water flows down rapids into a large (100m) river pool (1’2m deep) with white shingle beach opposite....

Farnham

Huge sandy lake with small buoyed-off swimming area shelving to 1.5m deep and 50m wide. Forest and open heathland....

Grassington

Exciting rocky pools and rapids. Lower pools have interesting snorkelling and a large reach for a longer swim. Also...

Cambridge

A range of swimming opportunities along 2km of the meadows ending at the Orchard Tea Garden. Deep banks make...

Grassington

A large grassy area of riverside common with two weirs and a Waterfall or Gorge plus footbridge. Popular, sociable...

Great Torrington

The Torridge at Torrington Common is fast flowing and pebbly but mainly shallow (1m) with some deeper holes. Woody,...

Hampstead

Swimming ponds in middle of wild, hilly heath. Woody, sheltered aspect, open on one side. Changing areas and lifeguards....

Hatchmere

A relatively shallow, warm 300m’long lake in the nationally important wildlife area of Delamere Forest. A grassy area next...

Holne, 0.5km

Small Waterfall or Gorge with sunbathing rock and large pool in secluded Holne Woods, close to Holne and its...

Pontneddfechan

A fantastic set of deep forest plunge pools beneath a horseshoe-shaped Waterfall or Gorge.

Marlow

An historic village with river parkland, wooded river islands and a 1000-year-old pub. Several places to swim. Can be...

Keld

Two spectacular Waterfall or Gorge deep in a woody gorge. One is 5m high with 80m plunge pool, open...

Buxton

A quiet, rural idyllic stretch of the Bure river, flowing past gardens, fields and a church. Deep and clear...

Lechlade

A popular stretch of Thames upstream from town with good access and a junction pool for swimming. Silty shallows...

Ludlow

A stretch of open common with pub, bridge, church and rope swings. Deepish junction pool. Little beaches and fun...

Braemar

A dramatic gorge cutting down under an elegant Victorian bridge to deep pools and river beaches in open woodland.

Pontneddfechan

An exciting and relatively safe piece of gorge swimming. A pool flows slowly through a deep, narrow channel, 5m...

Corris Uchaf

A huge, dramatic glacial cwm in the crater of Cadair Idris set beneath 400m high mountain walls. It’s a...

Beddgelert

A 1km-long valley lake at the foot of Snowdon with stunning craggy backdrop. Accessible directly from the main road.

Llanberis

A deep blue lake set under a 100m steep rock wall, famous in climbing and traditional folklore. Beach on...

Harlech

A tarn in the remote northern Rhinogs, with cliffs for jumping and fabulous views of the sea. Good hotel...

Twynllanan

A high lake in the shadow of the Black Mountain, legendary home of a lake nymph. Deep (18m) and...

Aviemore

A small, romantic loch at the foot of the Cairngorms, with a tiny ruined castle on an island set...

Cannich

Stunning islanded lake, rich in original Caledonian pine. Many places to swim from shore and potential to swim out...

Inversnaid

Remote stretch of northern Loch Lomond on West Highland Way. Steep wooded rocky loch sides lead down to Rob...

Drumnadrochit

Britain’s longest lake and home to Nessie. Secluded place to access shoreline opposite dramatic Urquhart Castle, down through fields....

Lynmouth, 3km

Watersmeet is a famous National Trust area of wooded river walks. There is a Waterfall or Gorge with small...

Skelwith Bridge

Beautiful small tarn, relatively warm, under skyline of Langdale Pikes. Basic but scenic campsite adjoining.

Burnsall

A fantastic stretch of grassy riverside incorporating the limestone cliffs and plunge pool of Loup Scar and the shallower,...

Middleton-in-Teesdale

This is the little-known sister of High Force. Still very large but with a deep, calm pool on a...

Glencoe

A long river canyon with high cliffs and deep water. Popular for wild camping. As for Higher Glen Etive...

Hereford

Large meadows just outside Hereford. Meandering gentle river with deep holes (2m) in bends and plenty of shelving gravel...

Tanygrisiau

Two small shallow tarns at 500m at the head of Croesor valley. Fantastic views of Cnicht and the sea....

Holne, 3.5km

Small Waterfall or Gorge pool

Leek

Tiny moor-top pool steeped in legend with views of The Roaches.

Witney

A small, clear, pretty Cotswold river running through the romantic grounds of the ruins. Just deep enough to swim...

Bungay

A 3km stretch of the Waveney meandering around open common land. Good water quality, up to 2m deep in...

Wasdale Head

Quartz-bedded, very clear, long lake (5km) with good shelving beaches and some of the most stunning scenery in the...

Wimborne Minster

A wide stretch of mature river at old ford with weir, bridge and long upstream swimming stretch. Good access...

Blawith

A stretch of wooded rocky headlands with secluded sandy coves. Peel Island sits across a 100m strait.

Builth Wells

An exciting stretch of the Wye narrowing through rocky cliffs. Downstream are safe white sandy bays. Upstream the water...

Tomich

Deep, large, black plunge pool (30m) at base of Scotland’s second highest Waterfall or Gorge. Difficult scramble but stunning...

Oxford

2km of river with little beaches (R bank) and grassy expanses of meadow (L bank). Shelving to up to...

Relugas

Stunning wooded gorge on mythical River Findhorn, descending to rocky headlands with access to river beaches and very large...

Bodmin, 5km

Wooded National Trust estate riverside walk. Some sections 1.5’2m deep. Swim against the current. Wooden bankside deckings (for fishing)....

Dolgellau

A large deep plunge pool at this littlevisited Waterfall or Gorge, set among the ruins of a former goldmine....

Hatfield Peverel

This is a beautiful stretch of the river Chelmer. Try downstream from Hoemill Bridge and lock, or walk for...

Inverarnan

A huge plunge pot under a great Waterfall or Gorge. The Falls of Falloch are spectacular and the great...

Whiddon Down A30, 3km

Long river pool in woods beneath Castle Drogo. About 1.5m deep. Weir and footbridge. The Teign cascades into three...

Thetford

30km further up the A11 from Cambridge. Pretty chalk stream running through forest with shelving access above footbridge next...

Pontneddfechan

A graceful column of water falls 10m into a deep, large plunge pool set in an amphitheatre in the...

Killiecrankie

A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). Access is a scramble but peaceful...

Ashburton A38, 5km

Peaty water, clean from the mountain, this is the most popular and accessible Dart swimming location, especially in summer....

Rosthwaite

A high tarn in the shadow of Scafell Pike with island and excellent diving and swimming. Popular for wild...

Stainforth

A series of river pools and falls set beneath an old packhorse bridge. Grassy banks and good paddling. A...

Laggan

A large calm pool beneath Waterfall or Gorge on River Pattack in Strathmashie community forest next to car park....

Bolton Abbey

A shady, deep stretch of river beneath the notorious Strid gorge (do not swim IN the cataract itself). Wide...

Ross-on-Wye

Small sandy bay, meadows, shelving to 2m. Large rocks on far bank. 5km N of Monmouth on A40 (dir...

Hay-on-Wye

A popular stretch of commoner’s meadow by the side of the Wye. White shingle beach and shallows below the...

Clunes

A series of three falls and three pools set in quick succession by roadside. Interesting rock formations.

Boot

A long series of fantastic pools. Tongue Pot is more dramatic with high jumps possible (5m deep) many small...

Ulpha

A popular area of grassy riverside with 300m stretch of pool and shallows, deep section under bridge from which...

Horncliffe

Wide (80m), shallow (1m), fast flowing stretch of Tweed, downstream of bridge. Fun to swim against current and cross...

Keld

A wide Waterfall or Gorge, about 3m high, with pleasant plunge pool and open aspect. Limestone cliffs in valley...

Bath

ONLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE WEST BANK (CLAVERTON, A36). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCESS FROM WARLEIGH / CONKWELL. 100m long...

Llanwrtyd Wells

A wide, open pool at the end of a short gorge with shelving access, about 2m deep. Long swim...

Ashburton, 5km

Wonderful wooded island with red sand beach shelving into deep river bend with Holne cliff towering up behind. Rusty,...