Loading...
The Healf Source
Best Places To Wild Swim In The UK: Top Spots For Open Water Swimming
Written by: Pippa Thackeray
Written on: May 27, 2025
In recent years, wild swimming participation in the UK has seen a massive 84% increase, according to Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.
As it's a trend that continues to grow, this piece explores why, and how to get involved. If you're ready to break away from the same gym routine or tired run route, wild swimming offers something a bit different. These are the best spots for spring/ summer, and exactly what you need to know before you get in deep water.
Where to swim
No noise, no screens, no schedules. This is an activity that’s as much about finding space in your head, as it is caring for your body. The idea simply is this: find your stretch of cold water, your connection to the breath, and a kind of stillness that’s impossible to recreate in an indoor pool.
You don’t need to travel far to find such a scene. Across the UK, you’ll find rivers, lakes, and remote places where you can swim in open water without the crowds or the chlorinated baths.
Swapping the usual for something cooler in London
On Hampstead Heath, three ponds offer some of the best wild swimming in London. It’s not super luxurious, nor all that comfortable, but it’s not meant to be. Many regulars swim here before most people even hit their snooze button.
The three designated swim spots include: one for men, one for women, and a mixed pond. The men’s and women’s ponds stay open all year, while the mixed pond usually runs through the summer. In total, the Heath has around 30 ponds, but only these three are set up for swimming, with lifeguards on duty and water quality regularly checked. That said, on warmer days, it’s not uncommon to see a few determined swimmers slipping into others, ignoring the ‘no swimming’ signs altogether. Please remember to stick to the rules, however, they are there for a reason.
Reset with a slate pool in Pembrokeshire
Welcome to the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi, Pembrokeshire, Wales. A pool is carved into a slate quarry, filled with sea water and surrounded by dark cliffs. It’s a spot of breathtaking natural beauty, and one that serves a practical purpose for swimming, too.
You don’t need to be a cliff diver to enjoy it. It’s possible to access the pool from the edge. What’s more, the cliffs keep it slightly more sheltered than open water. But do be sure to change fast and warm up as soon as you're out. And if you're new to cold water, start slow and wear something designed for swimming outdoors.
Swim beneath the Cairngorms
Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park is a popular spot, particularly for beginners, due to its shallow sandy shores and easy access. Other spots include Loch Insh, and the River Feshie at Feshiebridge.
This makes a great choice for anyone who wants scenic views while they swim. There's a sandy beach with snow-capped peaks in the distance. The place is quiet, clean, and thanks to Scotland’s open access laws, you’re very welcome to swim here.
Early sun at Ventnor Beach
The Isle of Wight is packed with good swim spots, but Ventnor stands out from the rest, largely due to the clean water, easy access and a beach that gets sun early. You may encounter the locals heading in before breakfast. The best area for swimming is in the middle of the beach, opposite Alma Road, where there's a rock-free channel.
If you prefer to attend organised events, Swim the Wight runs community swims and programmes all summer season.
Peaceful laps in the Lake District
Both Grasmere and Buttermere in the Lake District offer peaceful swims with unbeatable views. Grasmere is smaller and good for gentle laps in the morning, while Buttermere has a wilder feel, surrounded by steep fells and is usually fairly quiet, even when the area's busy with walkers.
Meanwhile, Kailpot Crag sits on the quieter east side of Ullswater, away from the main road and crowds. You can reach it on foot from Sandwick or Howtown. There’s also a small lakeside beach nearby for a more relaxing entry.
Classic spots in Coniston and Derwentwater
You’ll find swimmers in both these lakes almost daily. Derwentwater (known locally as the “Queen of the Lakes”) is close to Keswick, with easy access and a wide range of entry points.
Coniston Water is longer and great for more distance-focused swimmers. Early starts are best, especially in summer when paddleboarders and kayakers take to the water later in the day.
How to swim wild whilst staying safe
Not every quiet lake or river is risk-free, so before getting in, think it through.
Swim with someone in a group or in a pair, especially if you are new to swimming in unpredictable environments
Slowly immerse yourself, it is best to refrain from jumping or diving to avoid the sudden cold shock. Your body needs time to adjust.
Bring proper layers to change into. A towel won’t cut it once the afterdrop kicks in, this refers to the phenomenon of your body temperature continuing to drop even after you've exited the cold water.
In Scotland, you can swim in a vast number of places. But in England and Wales, it is largely a different story. Some lakes and rivers are off-limits, even if they look perfect for a dip. Private ownership, wildlife protection, or local bylaws govern these spots.
Therefore, it is advisable to always check before you swim. Resources like Wild Swim Map or local council websites will usually tell you what’s allowed and what isn’t. And if you see a sign saying stay out, please pay attention to it for your safety.
In a lot of cases, you can't judge water quality by looking at it. Some rivers, like the Wharfe in Ilkley, have been given designated bathing status, but still, unfortunately, regularly fail pollution checks. Sewage overflows and algae blooms are more common than most people realise. To stay aware, check sites like Swimfo or the Environment Agency to see if your chosen spot is safe.
Temperature matters too. Even in summer, water in shaded areas or deeper lakes can drop low enough to cause cold shock. If your chest tightens or your breath shortens the moment you hit the water, it is advised that you get out.
Cold water benefits and precautions
There’s a lot of hype around the power of cold right now, some of it may be worth your attention. Regular cold water swimming may support mood, circulation, and stress management.
That said, it’s not for everyone. People with heart conditions or blood pressure concerns should be advised by a medical professional before trying it.
Discover more about how cold water affects the body in our article covering cold exposure.
Wild swimming is one of the most natural ways to move your body. Start with a known and verified, safe location, with a few basic checks, and a willingness to get uncomfortable in a good way. Start small and progress at your own pace.
Shop MOVE at Healf and find practical ways to shake up your routine.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Pippa is a content writer and qualified Nutritional Therapist (DipNT) creating research-based content with a passion for many areas of wellbeing, including hormonal health, mental health and digestive health.
As a contributor to The Healf Source, she regularly attends seminars and programmes on a plethora of contemporary health issues and modern research insights with a drive to never stop learning. In addition, interviewing experts and specialists across The Four Pillars: EAT, MOVE, MIND, SLEEP.
In her spare time, she is an avid swimmer, mindfulness and yoga lover, occasionally bringing a raw, honest approach to the topics she faces. You may also discover some personal accounts of eye-opening wellbeing experiences amidst the reality of a disorientating, and often conflicting, modern wellbeing space.
- 1. Where to swim
- 2. Swapping the usual for something cooler in London
- 3. Reset with a slate pool in Pembrokeshire
- 4. Swim beneath the Cairngorms
- 5. Early sun at Ventnor Beach
- 6. Peaceful laps in the Lake District
- 7. Classic spots in Coniston and Derwentwater
- 8. How to swim wild whilst staying safe
- 9. Cold water benefits and precautions
