On a hot summer’s day, few things are more refreshing than slipping into the cool, clear waters of a secret lake or plunging into a hidden waterfall.

Britain’s rivers, lakes, and waterfalls are among the most beautiful in the world, and the health benefits of a natural dip are increasingly well known. To celebrate, award-winning author and photographer Daniel Start, and a team of local experts, present this updated and much expanded edition of the best-selling guide to Britain’s swimming holes, now in its 18th year.

The all-new bumper edition of Wild Swimming has been revised and hugely expanded to include all the practical information you’ll need to enjoy well over 1,000 magical swims in some of the least discovered parts of our stunning freshwater landscape. In this great British tour, you’ll find infinity pools and mountain jacuzzis, river beaches and rope swings, spring-fed lakes and blue lagoons, chalk streams and natural springs.

In each chapter, you’ll discover famous wild swimmers of the past and read stories of heroes, artists, and ordinary folk who have long enjoyed bathing under the willows. With detailed information on how to get started and stay safe, find local groups, and check water quality, this extensive compendium guide means you’ll never be far from a beautiful place to dip.

NEW for this third edition:
Over 500 new wild swimming locations
Encyclopaedic coverage of Britain
25 large scale wild swimming maps
The best and most beautiful places for your bucket list
Information on pubs, campsites, boating and things to do
Child and family friendly swims
Lakes and quarries with Open Water Swimming sessions

The water’s lovely. So strip off and jump in!

About the authors

Daniel Start is an award-winning writer and photographer, author of Wild Swimming, Hidden Beaches and many Wild Guides. He has spent 30 years exploring and photographing Britain’s best wild swims. He is married with a daughter and lives at the confluence of two rivers in rural Somerset. This edition has been expanded, compiled and revised with a team of local experts and authors.

Table of Contents

Map of the region 6
Introduction 8
Getting started 14
What are my rights? 15
Safety & water quality 16
best for
Paddling 18
Literay swims 18
Skinny-dipping 18
Picnics 20
Train access 20
Cycling 20
Canoes & SUPs 22
Waterside pubs 22
Camping 22
Jumping 24
Tubing & chutes 24
Waterfalls 24

West Country
Cornwall 26
Dartmoor & South Devon 38
Exmoor & North Devon 54
Dorset, Wilts & South Somerset 66
Wye Valley & Somerset Avon 80

Southern & Central England
Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex 96
London & South East England 106
Cotswolds & Thames Valley 120

East & Central England
East Anglia 134
Southern Midlands 148
Peak District & East Midlands 162

Wales & Marches
West Wales to Brecon Beacons 178
Cambrians to the Marches 194
North Wales & Cheshire 210
North Eryri / Snowdonia 226

Northern England
Wharfedale & Bowland 240
Yorkshire Dales 254
South Lake District 268
North Lake District 284
Pennines & York Moors 298

Scotland & Northumbria
Borders & Northumberland 314
Highlands & Perthshire 328
Cairngorms & River Dee 340
North West Highlands 352
Acknowledgements 364