The secret to finding the best wild swimming spots in the UK
How many times have you been inspired to go to an amazing secluded wild spot, only to find out that a thousand other people have also descended on those shores?
Whether you’re craving an icy river dip, a beachy sunset swim or splash in a marina, these days it is really hard to find place that are truly untouched and wild.
With 72% of UK land managed for agriculture and 8% built on that leaves 10% of wild spaces in the UK. The magic of a solo sunrise swim is becoming harder to attain.
As an outdoor enthusiast who also has anxiety, I crave those calm quiet moments in nature. They are my lifeline. Here are 4 tips to finding the best wild swimming spots:
Seek the blue
Scouring maps for blue spaces has a Huckleberry Finn feel to it. There something so magical about committing an afternoon to exploring the unknown. Select a destination on the map, ideally near a local river with nearby walking trails to wander and explore around. There are miles of beautiful rivers running throughout the UK all with easy entry places and (legally) accessible.
The beautiful coast of Cornwall. Photo by Nicole Dulieu.
Be prepared to be underwhelmed and open to finding secluded unexpected swim spots. It can be a hit-or-miss , but it is so satisfying to explore somewhere new. Walking along the coastal path I’ve found my favourite untouched gorgeous coves and beaches in Cornwall!
Pick your time
My favourite wild swims are always early in the morning or into the evening, before or after the crowds. You can be sure that at 10am on a Sunday everyone else will be there.
Nicole and her two buddies beating the crowds at Golden Hour. Photo by Nicole Dulieu.
Additionally, swimming in winter brings you wonderful benefits of cold water immersion, from improved cardiovascular, reduced cortisol and of course, less people!
Prepare to be de-influenced
The beauty of social media is that it opens us to new possibilities and inspirations – but it also means that previously unknown places become inundated with tourists.
Cornwall offers many beautiful places to dip! Photo by Nicole Dulieu.
But what you don’t know about tourists is that they are lazy. You will often find an equally as good swim spot as “THAT” place, if you commit to walking around the corner, taking an extra 10 minutes to walk down the beach away from the crowd. Remember, the further away from a car park you are, the fewer people there will be.
Speak to swimmers
It might seem counter-intuitive, but the most passionate people about swimming locations are usually, swimmers.
The best local spots with the best local people. Photo by Nicole Dulieu.
I have been continuously impressed with what a generous and welcoming group outdoor swimmers are. Whether you join a group in real life like Blue Tits or Mental Health Swims which work across the UK, or you reach out on social media to people like me and follow #wildswimming, we are always passionate about our favourite swimming spots – being part of a swimming community is a great way to find unexpected new places for a dip.
Let me know how you get on!
Interested in swimming? Check out our other articles on swimming, as well as our podcast episode with transgender swimmer Eden.
