Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Telegraph
The Telegraph
Daniel Start

The UK's best walks with a wild swim at the end

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022

There is something slightly renegade and wonderfully invigorating about wild swimming, and the only thing better than one dip is a whole series of them. The Wild Swimming Walks series idea was born one summer in the Lake District when I was with a group of friends. Dressed in sarongs and flip-flops, we decided to see how many waterfalls we could plunge into on a single day. The double joy of both land and water created a true immersion in the landscape – and also allowed us to warm up in between each swim.

The current interest in wild swimming has been fuelled by endless lockdowns and increasing digital overload, but bathing in rivers is something local people have always done, from the holy wells and river baptisms of Celtic pagan era, through to Wordsworth and Coleridge frolicking in Lake District waterfalls. The health and psychological benefits have also been long-known. George Bernard Shaw, Benjamin Britten, Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale were all advocates of regular cold dipping to strengthen the mental constitution and physical state. But these days we know about the science: cold immersion soothes muscle aches, relieves depression and boosts the immune system. And all wild dippers know the natural endorphin high that raises mood and elates the senses.

Bobbing along with a frog’s-eye view of the world, these swims are occasions to commune with nature, seek inspiration, and be humbled by the immensity and wonder of the natural world. So leave the car at home, and spend the day following the blue lines on the map, finding aquatic treasures along the way.

North

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - Pete Kelly
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - Pete Kelly

The Falls of Swindale, Cumbria

Distance: 7.2 miles
Start/end point: Filter House, Hartsop CA10 2QT (NY 521144)
Swim at: Forces Falls

Swindale is handsome and enjoys a fraction of the footfall of the more popular Lakeland valleys. Park by the roadside south-west of the Filter House. Walk along Swindale Lane to the farm at Swindale Head. Follow the bridleway through the meadows and cross the footbridge at Dodd Bottom. Leave the path and follow the beck. The best of the Forces Falls, with deep and inviting pools, are found just before the beck levels out. 

From Forces Falls, follow the beck south until the terrain levels out. Carry on south along the bridleway to Swine Gill and the fence that cuts across the path. Follow the fence west and climb to the broad spur of Nabs Moor. Head north down the spur following any path towards Selside End. Turn right at Old Corpse Road, following the track as it heads straight into Swindale Head and go back along Swindale Lane.

The emerald pool, Sprinkling Tarn and Styhead Tarn, Cumbria

Distance: 7.1 miles
Start/end point: Wasdale Head car park, Seascale CA20 1EX (NY 186084)
Swim at: the Emerald Pool, Sprinkling Tarn, Styhead Tarn

Spouthead Gill is home to the Emerald Pool, a rare gem. Together with Sprinkling and Styhead Tarn it provides a perfect day out. Head up the track and at Burnthwaite Farm, go through the gate, following the track over a bridge. When the path forks, go to the right upstream. There is a prominent holly bush by the path; turn right towards the beck here to discover the pool.

From here, drop back downstream until the footpath can be reached by fording the stream. Follow this path as it steepens and joins Styhead Pass at the stretcher box. Take the gravel path to reach Sprinkling Tarn. The best basking rocks lie above the north-west shoreline. Retrace your steps to the stretcher box, then follow the main path to Styhead Tarn, which lies in sight. From here, return to the stretcher box and descend all the way to the valley bottom. The route rejoins the ascent where the path nears Lingmell Beck. The same route is followed to return to the car park.

East

Manningtree circular, Essex/Suffolk border

Distance: 7.25 miles
Start/end point: Manningtree station CO11 2HH (TM 0938 3221)
Swim in: River Stour

A delightful way to experience Constable country. The painter grew up in the nearby village of East Bergholt, so you can walk immersed in landscapes that still look like Constable’s. Turn right out of the station and find a footpath to Flatford and Dedham. At the tarmac track, turn right and take a footpath left leading uphill. At the top of the hill the path bears right and continues to St Mary’s church. From here all the way to Dedham the route follows the Essex Way (EW). When you arrive in Dedham, the EW emerges on to a road just east of Dedham church.

Take the road opposite the church and follow it to cross the River Stour. For a short diversion to a good swimming place and picnic spot, take the path to the left along the river to arrive opposite Dedham Mill. Afterwards, retrace your steps to the road and take the path opposite, which follows the Stour downstream towards Flatford Mill. From here to Manningtree station, the route follows the St Edmund Way.

Midlands

Port Meadow, Oxford

Distance: 6 miles
Start/end point: Oxford station, OX1 1HS (SP 5048 0638)
Swim in: River Thames

A gentle stroll around the meadows that inspired Alice in Wonderland and back along the Thames Path to Oxford. Turn left from the station and follow signs to the Oxford Canal. When you reach it, turn left along the canal path. At Bridge 240 (all the canal bridges are numbered) come up to road level, and turn left past the recreation ground. Head east along Navigation Lane and continue along a dirt path over a railway bridge. Emerge on to a concrete path running north-south along Port Meadow. Turn right through the gate into Burgess Field Nature Park following the gritted track. 

When it splits, take the left fork over a wooden bridge. Cross the open ground over the low bridge, heading towards the houses at the right end of the row. Turn left across the common, skirting the houses. Aim for a small wooden gate between a car park and a thatched cottage, which lets you out on to the road. A second bridge takes you to a gate on the left side of the road, which leads to the Thames Path. The next mile of riverside offers the best swimming spots. Follow until an arched metal bridge and turn left along the stream then cross a second metal bridge to the left to return to the main stretch of Port Meadow. Follow the canal path back to the station.

London

Finsbury Park to Hampstead Ponds

Distance: 4 miles
Start point: Finsbury Park underground station, N4 2DH
End point: Hampstead Heath overground station, NW3 2QD
Swim at: Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

This is an easy and peaceful walk, incorporating woods, historic Highgate and the most magical outdoor swimming in the city. Head into Finsbury Park and follow the path along the western edge until you see the sign to Highgate. Cross the railway bridge and take the path to the right. You are now in Parkland Walk, which brings you out just below Highgate Tube station. As you emerge from the path, turn right to reach Archway Road, then right again, crossing at the traffic lights. Walk up Jacksons Lane, and at the T-junction turn left into Southwood Lane and follow it to Highgate High Street. Turn first right into Pond Square, keep going, passing the Flask pub on Highgate West Hill until you reach Merton Lane. Follow this until you find yourself in front of the Model Boating Pond, turn right for the ladies’ pond and left for the men’s. To reach the mixed pond, cross the causeway between the Model Boating Pond and the men’s pond and follow the path straight up the hill and follow the signs. Descend past the lower ponds of the Hampstead chain on a path that ends at South End Green where you’ll find Hampstead Heath rail station.

South West

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - S Pierce and M Newbury
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - S Pierce and M Newbury

Ladram sea stacks circular

Distance: 6 miles
Start/end point: Kings Arms pub, Otterton EX9 7HB (SY 081852)
Swim at: Ladram Bay, river beach at the mouth of the Otter

A walk taking in both coast and river, with a swim among spectacular and unusual red sandstone stacks. With your back to the Kings Arms, turn left along the road. Take the right-hand fork, Bell Street and follow signs for Ladram Bay. Follow the track all the way down to the holiday park. Turn right and head down to the beach for a swim around the stacks. After, head back up the slipway and turn left at the top following the signpost for the coast path. Follow the path as it hugs the cliffs. You descend where the cliff meets the Otter estuary. You reach a small beach where you can have another dip if the tide is high. After, follow the path to a clump of pine trees. You reach a lane with a sign for South Farm Court on your right. Turn left into the lane and bear left along the road and cross the river on the footbridge. Turn right and walk along the path with the river on your right. At the brick bridge, head on to the road and turn right over the bridge, heading back into Otterton and your start point.

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - Daniel Start
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - Daniel Start

Sandy Hole and East Dart waterfall circular

Distance: 5.5 miles
Start/end point: Postbridge car park, Dartmoor PL20 6SY (SX 646788)
Swim at: Sandy Hole (SX 624811); East Dart waterfall (SX 627810)

This walk takes you into the desolate beauty of the High Moor, to a pool cut out of peat, and a spectacular waterfall. Take the path to the left of the visitor centre. Cross the stream, go through the gate and follow the path with the dry stone wall on your right. The path heads away from the wall; follow it to a little stream, cross it and go through the stile and walk with the wall on your right. As you go up the hill, the path bends towards a stile at the top of the hill. Cross the stile and keep walking until you get to a plateau with rocky outcrops. Head west, walking along the contours of the hill; you will see the waterfall below on your right. Keep walking and you will see the gorge of Sandy Hole Pass. Swim at the hole, before heading back along the river to the waterfall, where you can have another dip. Cross the waterfall to head back along the northern side of the river. You cross a stream and pass an island on your right. Cross another stream and follow the path with the river on your right, back to Postbridge.

Cellar Beach circular

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022

Distance: 4.5 miles
Start/end point: car park in Noss Mayo, Devon PL8 1EH (SX 547474)
Swim at: Cellar Beach, River Yealm estuary at Kilpatrick Steps

This is a walk and swim with vertiginous and far-reaching views of the Yealm Estuary. From the car park, turn left up the lane as it turns into a track. When the path hits a road, turn left and then right by a car park. Go through a gate, turn right and follow the coast path with the sea on your left, around the headland and into the woods. You pass a valley with fields and a stream on your left, and then get to some cottages on your right. It is easy to miss the turning down to Cellar Beach: it’s on the left, marked by a small wooden sign. 

Coming back from the beach, turn left and follow the path. Just past the gate and a parking area on the left, there’s a path into the woods. Take this path behind the cottages and the Toll House and past Kilpatrick Steps (another swim spot). Keep going and you will pick up a road, which takes you back to the village.

Wales

uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - S Pierce and M Newbury
uk best walks wild swim cold water swimming open 2022 - S Pierce and M Newbury

Waterfall woods

Distance: 4.5 miles
Start/end point: Pont Nedd Fech, Neath SA11 5UR (SN 908105)
Swim at: Scwd Ddwli

Coed y Rhaiadr, literally the “waterfall woods”, are the sublime handiwork of the Mellte and Nedd rivers meeting contorted seams of limestone, sandstone and gritstone. You’ll not find a more impressive network of forest lidos and falling water anywhere in Britain. Entering Pontneddfechan from B4242, follow the road left at the Dinas Inn for 1¾ miles, then left to find Pont Melin-fach bridge and car park. Walk downstream ¼ mile for the graceful arc and large pool of Ddwli on the Nedd, which is the easiest waterfall to reach. It’s another lovely ¾ mile on to Horseshoe Falls, which is also great fun and has a high, deep jump and rope swing. Finally after 1¼ miles, reach the deep junction pool and turn right up to Lady Falls. This graceful column of water in a wooded amphitheatre falls 32ft into the large, deep plunge pool. You can climb behind and dive back in.

Scotland

Glen Affric

Distance: 14 miles
Start/end point: Dogs Fall car park, Tomich IV4 7LZ (NH 283283)
Swim at: Dog Falls & Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin

Glen Affric is a refuge for one of Scotland’s largest remaining stands of rare, ancient Caledonian pine. It also has a loch with an archipelago of forest-clad islands. From Cannich on A381 take the road signed Glen Affric. After 4½ miles, park in the Dog Falls car park. Just downstream there are plunge pools ideal for bathing with rocky shelves to lay out a towel. Afterwards, follow the river upstream and cross the bridge to follow the track through the woods along the south side of Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin. There are promontories and islands and plenty of great spots on the foreshore to camp and swim. There’s a beautiful and romantic sandy beach dotted with ancient tree stumps, great for sitting on around a campfire. The path continues six miles to the end of the loch. From here follow the road back to your start point.

Telegraph Clean Rivers Campaign

  • Despite the increasing popularity of wild swimming in lakes, rivers and coasts around the UK, there are only two rivers officially designated as having ‘bathing status’ (meaning the environment ministry monitors them throughout the summer months for dangerous levels of bacteria): the River Wharfe in Ilkley and Port Meadow in Oxford. This is because of the level of raw sewage discharge into lakes, rivers and coastlines around the country. The discharges from water firms are on the rise with more than 400,000 recorded in 2021, in addition to agricultural run-off, which can accelerate the growth of harmful bacteria and algae.
  • It’s for this reason that the Telegraph has instituted its Clean Rivers Campaign (telegraph.co.uk/clean-rivers-campaign/ to reverse the damage to our waterways and create a national plan to protect our rivers.
  • You can check for general water quality on the Environment Agency’s website (environment.data.gov.uk/water-quality/view/explore) though this data is not real-time and does not test for bacteria such as E.coli. Rivers are graded from A to F and it is important to avoid swimming in waters that are rated D to F. The Outdoor Swimming Society (outdoorswimmingsociety.com) also has information and recommendations from members on its website.
  • Watch out for blue-green algae, which can cause itchiness and sore eyes. You can’t detect which algae is harmful by sight alone, so avoid swimming anywhere with algal blooms on the water.
  • When wild swimming it is important to choose clean water and avoid swimming immediately downstream of sewer discharges and overflows, especially after it has been raining. Never swim with an open wound, and cover any scratches or nicks with a strong waterproof plaster.

Jack Rear

This article is kept updated with the latest information.

Wild Swimming Walks books covering the South East, Dartmoor and South Devon and Cornwall are available now (Wild Things Publishing, £14.99 each), with books on the Lake District and Dorset and East Devon launching later this year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.