Open water swimming doesn’t wait for summer

For some, it’s a year-round ritual. For others, it begins with longer days, a little more warmth, and the decision to finally step in.

From seas and lakes to rivers, tidal pools and even woodfired saunas, we’ve selected a few places to start — along with what to know, and why people keep coming back to it.

Why people keep coming back to it

There’s a reason people return to it.

Often referred to as cold water swimming or open water swimming, it’s a practice that’s grown steadily across the UK in recent years.

The cold water, the clarity that follows, the way everything else seems to fall away for a moment. It’s not about distance or endurance, just the shift — stepping in, adjusting, and what stays with you long after you’re out.

Over time, it becomes less about the swim itself, and more about what it brings with it.

A clearer head, and a break from the constant noise

A sense of calm that’s hard to find elsewhere

A natural lift in mood, even after a short immersion

The feeling of being fully present, if only for a few minutes

A closer connection to the places you’re in — lakes, rivers, coastline

For some, that’s enough to keep them coming back. For others, it becomes part of a wider rhythm — something that carries through the seasons.

Where to go

Across the UK, there’s no shortage of places to start. Some are well known, others you come across more quietly — a stretch of river, a sheltered bay, a lake you return to again and again.

Hampstead Heath Ponds — an easy place to begin, with lifeguarded swimming and a strong sense of community

River Dart — quieter stretches, clear water and shaded banks

Buttermere Lake — calm water with open views across the fells

Barafundle Bay — a coastal swim worth the walk in

Clevedon Marine Lake — a gentler introduction to open water

Fairy Pools — colder, but unforgettable

Some places offer more than just the swim — woodfired saunas, changing huts, or simply somewhere to sit afterwards and warm up slowly.

Three places you might not know about

Some places are easy to find. Others are passed on — recommended, returned to, or stumbled upon when you weren’t looking for them.

Symonds Yat on the River Wye
A quieter stretch of the Wye where the river slows and widens. Go early and it feels almost still.

Black Moss Pot
Tucked into the valley and reached on foot, this is one of those places that doesn’t announce itself — clear, cold water set into the landscape.

Portmeirion Estuary
 Tidal and constantly changing, with wide open views. Not somewhere to rush, but worth finding.

Wild swimming isn’t new.

Long before it became something people planned for, it was simply part of being outdoors — rivers, lakes and coastal waters used as places to swim, cool off, or gather in warmer months.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, sea bathing was actively encouraged across Britain, believed to invigorate both body and mind. Towns grew around it, with bathing houses, changing huts and a culture that centred around the water.

More recently, it has found a quieter revival. Writers like Roger Deakin helped reintroduce the idea of swimming through Britain’s natural landscapes — not as a sport, but as something more personal. A way to experience places differently, and to return to them, season after season.

Before you take the plunge

Wild swimming doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does ask for a bit of awareness.

Start slowly — even a short immersion is enough to feel the effect

Choose somewhere safe and familiar, especially at the beginning

Go with others where you can

Take your time getting in, and even more time warming up afterwards

Pay attention to conditions — water temperature, tides and currents, and how you’re feeling

The first reaction to cold water is often a sharp intake of breath. Pause, and let it settle.

Slow, steady breathing helps — in through the nose, out through the mouth — allowing your body to adjust before you move.

There’s no need to stay in long. Often, it’s the first few moments that matter most.

After you get out

What happens next matters just as much as the swim itself.

Cold water lingers, so the focus is on warming up slowly and comfortably.

Change out of wet clothes as soon as you can

Layer up — starting with something warm and close to the body

Keep moving gently to bring your temperature back up

A hot drink helps — something simple, something warm to hold

Avoid rushing it. The return to warmth is part of the experience.

What to take

It’s never just the swim.

What you take with you — and what you reach for afterwards — shapes the whole experience, from the moment you arrive to the point you’ve warmed up and are ready to head home.

A warm, weatherproof robe — something to change into easily, and stay in while your body adjusts

A waterproof bag to carry dry layers, towels and everything you need to stay comfortable

A bottle filled with something hot — simple, but often the thing you’re most grateful for

It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just considered.

From water to warmth — it’s all part of it.

Explore the Beaumont, Roll-Top Backpack and Water Bottle →