Why you should try wild swimming

I’m certainly not the most perfect of swimmers or indeed the most adventurous. I have a fear of flinging myself into the water from a height, and even the thought of spending much time with my head underwater makes me somewhat claustrophobic. But - there’s something about the wild swim that I cannot resist. The icy life-affirming shock when skin meets deep water, and the ensuing delight when the feeling comes back to your fingers and toes and you’re revelling in the freedom of it all. The joy of swimming, floating, splashing, bobbing along past flower-studded grassy banks or smooth current-shaped stone sides, when all that came before were walls or sand. The addictive total body and mind refreshment that comes when you find a perfect place for a dip after a long hot walk or cooped-up car journey. The deliciousness of a chance adventure with friends, punctuating a picnic or a boat ride with an unexpected swim. The peace and solitude of a swim in nature.

And when I emerge from the water, I feel more alive than before, renewed and restored. That’s why you should try wild swimming.

Some favourite spots for a dip -

There are lots of resources to help you plan your next wild swim. Wildswim.com is a crowd-sourced map of wild swimming spots, with a focus on the UK although there are some good international recommendations on here too. The Wild Swimming books by Daniel Start have inspired many a holiday of mine, particularly Wild Swimming in France which has some real beauties together with useful information on safety and access.

In London, go to Hampstead Ponds for a wild swim in the middle of London. The Ladies Pond is the nicest (good changing areas, ample space for relaxing pre and post swim, and hot showers) and open all year round - for the really brave in winter! For couples and groups of friends, the Mixed Pond offers a similar swimming experience but it’s seasonal (May - September) and has only very basic facilities.

Out of the city, Wast Water in the Lake District is one of my favourite ever places for a swim to date. The deepest lake in the UK at 258 feet, it’s almost 3 miles long and is a glacial lake of awe inspiring proportions. The water is properly cold and clear - even on a hot summer’s day. For a mini UK adventure in a day, climb the country’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, then end your hike with a swim here on a sunny day.

For a European holiday featuring wild swimming, explore the rivers and lakes of France. The Dordogne River and the Gorge du Verdon offer some of the best wild swimming in France - for a real connect-with-nature holiday bring your tent and hire a canoe. One of the best places to camp and wild swim I’ve found is on the banks of the Lac d’Esparron in Provence. Pitch your tent on the banks of the lake and enjoy amazing swimming just steps from camp. They even have free canoes to take out and explore the epic Gorge du Verdon - a jaw-dropping paddle.

* Wild swimming should only be undertaken by confident swimmers, make sure you properly research and assess the safety of your swim before plunging in.