8 Wild Swimming Adventures to Enjoy Here in the UK

Whether you usually enjoy a dip in the pool or in the sea, swimming is a great way of keeping fit and having fun while you do it! Wild swimming has become more popular in recent years, so if you're feeling brave why not try this invigorating pastime at one of our favourite spots in the UK.

There are plenty of stunning locations for wild swimming in the UK, and these are some of the best selected by the team here at Zoggs;

Fingal’s Cave, Isle of Staffa

For a really wild swim, try Fingal’s Cave in the Inner Hebrides. Here you can swim into the deep clear water of the cave mouth and along the 60-metre chasm between the dramatic basalt columns.

Watch out for some impressive marine life, too!

Fingal’s Cave, Isle of Staffa

Slippery Stones at Derwent Valley Reservoir in the Peak District

Ideal for introducing the family to wild swimming, this venue has shallow waters for little ones and a deeper plunge pool for the more daring swimmers. Beautiful!

Zoggs Outdoor Swimming Locations

Harthill Reservoir, Sheffield

Swimming here is restricted to members of the Yorkshire Outdoor Swimmers' Club. Membership is £10 per year and £3 for each swim at this lovely peaceful lake. The facilities are shared by swimmers, sailors and model yacht enthusiasts in this wonderfully picturesque setting.

Zoggs Outdoor Swimming

Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye

This magical place is reached by walking up a (sometimes boggy) path from Glenbrittle. The cold, crystal-clear waters attract wild swimmers from all over the world. The beautiful scenery here includes mountains and valleys, waterfalls and of course the pools themselves.

Zoggs Outdoor Swimming

Rob Roy’s Bathtub, the Falls of Falloch, Loch Lomond

This seventy-feet-wide plunge pool was carved out by the spectacular Falls of Falloch and makes a wonderful area for outdoor swimming and diving. Swim under the falls or head downstream under the canopy of trees, but watch out for strong currents when the river is in spate.

© www.wildswimming.co.uk

River Waveney, Suffolk

The Waveney was the favourite river of Roger Deakin, whose book “Waterlog A Swimmer's Journey Through Britain” popularised the wild swimming movement in the UK. If you are brave enough to swim here at night, you might be lucky enough to spot an otter.

River Waveney, Suffolk

Shepperton, Middlesex

You won’t find any boats, other than the club’s safety canoes, on the Shepperton Open Water Swimming Lake, as it is dedicated specifically to swimmers. With excellent changing facilities, this lake is ideal for novices and more experienced wild swimmers alike.

With plenty of swimming activities such as guided swims and timed swims on offer, refreshments available and a safety crew always on standby, this could be one of the safest places to enjoy swimming in open water.

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Abereiddy Beach and the Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire

This flooded slate quarry beside the sea is popular with divers and wild swimmers. The deep blue water is hardly affected by the tides, although you will have to share it with fish and beautiful golden kelp, making it interesting for diving and snorkelling. Sometimes a few seals are spotted here too.

The Blue Lagoon Abereiddi (also spelt Abereiddy)Pembrokeshire South Coastal Scenery

 

Always remember to respect the water and swim safely in these beautiful wild swimming locations. It is best not to swim alone and important to ensure that you use the appropriate gear and safety equipment for the location and the season.

Whatever swimwear or accessories you need for your wild swimming adventures, you will find everything from snorkels to wetsuits at Zoggs.