Wild Swimming

As an island nation with close affinities to the water, Britain has long had a tradition of wild swimming. Wild swimmers take to nature’s open water spaces for an alfresco dip in all weathers and seasons, freeing themselves from the confines of indoor exercise spaces and chlorinated pools.

In England and Wales, a ‘right to roam’ law means that we are permitted to swim in most rivers and lakes, whereas in Scotland all waters are accessible as long as swimmers uphold the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The laws around wild swimming in Ireland are less clear; however, there is plenty of guidance on the safest places to swim, and areas both to avoid and where there is lifeguard supervision. In essence, as long as we respect the environment, each other and don’t trespass, Britain’s waterways are an easily accessible place to experience a fun form of exercise and a sense of adventure.

In Scotland there are over 31,000 freshwater lochs and lochans, and 202 saltwater lochs, with more than 7,500 in the Western Isles alone. Scotland has more than 77,671 miles of rivers and streams, varying from small highland burns to deep, wide lowland rivers. That's enough to go round the earth three times.

It is unsurprising that there has been a surge in the popularity of wild swimming in recent years, as people take to the water to reconnect with nature. Dream Escape guests tell us how much they enjoy their wild swimming experiences, from the shores of Vanessa Branson's private Scottish island, Eilean Shona, the idyllic reservoir on the exquisite 3,000 acre sanctuary of Broughton Hall, to the beautiful southern coastline of Ireland’s magnificent Cliff House Hotel, so we decided it was time to speak to an expert and find out more.

Lauren Biddulph runs swimming retreats as part of the Salt Sisterhood based in Cornwall. Here she shares her knowledge about wild swimming, the benefits of immersing oneself in the open water, and some of the best places to take a dip.

Above: Wild swimmers from The Salt Sisterhood embracing the water Lead image: Lauren Biddulph founder of The Salt Sisterhood

Lauren starts by clarifying that wild swimming can be in the sea, rivers, or any open expanse of water, and includes a range of experiences, from relaxed river paddles to more adventurous sea swims, each with their own benefits. “We like to showcase the diversity of wild swimming; for example, on Self-Compassion Day we may take a trip to the quiet Helford River, which is beautiful and calm, whereas on Bravery Day we go rock jumping.” While originally offering wetsuits as part of her retreats, Lauren tells us that it is more beneficial to swim without them. “I initially hired wetsuits and some people wore them, but they weren’t getting the full experience or benefit.

By the end of the week everyone was out of the wetsuits and they felt a real sense of achievement; they said they got more from the experience when they were out of their wetsuits and a greater sense of freedom.”

When we asked Lauren why she began offering wild swimming retreats, she explained that being in or near water has immense health benefits, both mental and physical. “I used to struggle a lot with anxiety and depression. I noticed that going into the sea gave me a sensation of connectedness and grounding, it got me out of my head, reminding me of the bigger picture of what is and isn’t important. When combined with yoga it helped me to build a better relationship with my mind and body and helped me to overcome my generalised anxiety.” It is this sense of empowerment and freedom that inspired Lauren to share the wild swimming experience with other women.

“There is a physiological response in the body when we’re near water because life evolved from the water. You are in something much bigger than yourself and it can be dangerous, calm, frightening or relaxing. It’s a massive natural force that leaves you in awe and puts everything in perspective, resetting your mind and boosting your confidence.” Lauren reveals that, as well as the benefits of wild swimming for wellbeing and mental health, there are also large swathes of research on its physical benefits. “Aside from being an excellent form of physical exercise, increasing overall strength and fitness, studies show that it also boosts metabolism, immunity, resilience and your rate of healing”. For those wishing to embark upon their own wild-swimming experience, ensuring that water is clean and unpolluted is a must. It is also important to know if there are shallow entry points and how you are going to get out. You should never jump into the water without knowing it is deep enough, and that, for areas which have a current, you can swim against the current faster than it can take you.

When we're in water...it's a massive natural force that leaves you in awe and puts everything in perspective

It’s advisable to go with someone else to spots you are visiting for the first time, but wild swimming is open to people of all abilities. This means there should be nothing holding you back from enjoying the relaxing sense of weightlessness and invigorating experience of immersing yourself in nature.

With thousands of miles of coastline and a vast network of rivers and estuaries, we are spoilt for choice with waterside locations in the UK and Ireland. We’ve picked out some of our favourite expert-led experiences, which are arranged by Dream Escape's travel designers.

THE LAKE DISTRICT: FULL MOON SWIM IN ULLSWATER WITH COLIN HILL

Coasteering in Kailpot with Colin Hill, Another Place

To experience swimming in a lake can, in itself, be incredible, but the full-moon swims with Colin Hill, cold-water-swimming specialist, adds an extra-special dimension to this. Guests at Another Place, a beautiful hotel with its own jetty on Ullswater lake shores, take to the water with Colin to swim under the moon and stars. Colin also takes groups on swimming adventures to Kailpot to enjoy the secluded bay. A short boat-trip away, you swim close to the lake shoreline, climbing rocks and crags to find the best spot from which to jump in. Swimmers are given 'tow-floats' (which are illuminated at night) to attach to their bodies (this is a bag which doesn’t impede your swimming, but you can hold on to for a rest).

SCOTLAND, THE ISLE OF SKYE

Wild swimmers in the Cairngorms

IMAGE © VISITSCOTLAND/LIAM ANDERSTREM

For a wild swimming adventure at its very best, head off the beaten track to take a plunge or a long swim on the Isle of Skye. 50 miles long and the largest of the Inner Hebrides, its scenery is as magical as the pictures described in a C.S. Lewis book. From the marble pools of Allt Aigeinn, Torrin, and Allt Daraich (a quieter alternative to the Fairy Pools) to Loch Coruisk, a freshwater loch. These are beautiful places to be, whether you’re a budding wild swimmer or not. Whether you're clambering over rocks, heading out to deeper waters by boat or discovering waterfalls, it all adds to the charm of an unforgettable experience.

WALES, LLYN Y FAN FACH: BRECON BEACONS

Wales, Llyn y Fan Fach: Brecon Beacons

Being in or near the ocean has immense health benefits, both mental and physical

A high lake in the shadow of the Black Mountain, Llyn y Fan Fach sits in a sheltered bowl with stony, gently shelving sides. Reaching up to 18 metres in depth, it’s the perfect spot for diving and practising your underwater swimming technique. Located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Llyn y Fan Fach is breathtakingly beautiful and, according to legend, the home of a lake nymph.

NORTHERN IRELAND, CUSHENDUN BEACH: COUNTY ANTRIM

Found in the heart of the Glens of Antrim and not far from the Red Caves where several Game of Thrones scenes were filmed, Cushendun is a sandy, rural beach with views across to the Mull of Kintyre. The beach slopes gently out to sea, with rivers at both ends, so that you can explore the kelp fronds. The water here is crystal clear – as long as you don’t visit shortly after rainfall, when peat is carried down from the fields.

CORNWALL, THE SALT SISTERHOOD: HELFORD

Located on the banks of the Helford River, the Salt Sisterhood offers wild swimming and yoga retreats for women. Here, it's a chance to take a step away from the real world and immerse yourself in a bubble of self-care, nature and good food. The aim is for connection: to nature, other women and yourself.

LONDON, BECKENHAM PLACE PARK: BECKENHAM

Swimming is even available in our capital city – on the beautiful lake at Beckenham Place Park. This is London’s first purpose-built swimming lake, a sign that open-water swimming is rapidly growing in popularity. Why not give wild swimming a try during your city break? Surrounded by trees and a grass area to sit and watch, the sandy banks make for a safe swimming experience.

Find out more

Lesley Scott, Head of Travel Design, Scotland and Ireland "Wild swimming in the true sense of the word is very Scottish, and one of my favourite spots in the Central Highlands is around Glen Etive, where there are lots of lovely rock pools and small waterfalls. Not for the faint-hearted I would say, but a wonderful experience."

⬥ lesley@dreamescape.co.uk

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WORDS | LYDIA PALESCHI