the times Saturday April 9 2022
We e ke n d 5
with sea caves and blowholes. Continue
south to find Pwll-y-Wrach, the Witches’
Cauldron, a deep lagoon entered by a
cave with a waterfall — or alternatively
by swimming through one of two sea
caves at low tide. Look out for seal pups.
How to get there Take the narrow lane
by the Methodist chapel in Moylegrove.
Google Maps 52.0710, -4.77121Bransford Bridge River
Teme, Worcestershire
The Teme — part Welsh, part
English — is a river that’s rich
with secret pools, ancient trees
and meadow-lined banks.
Upstream of the bridge, a tight
meander cuts a high
embankment from which the
brave can leap in, although you
can just as easily get in from
the bank for a gentler swim.
How to get there Park near the
Fox Inn and walk ¾ mile upstream
from the bridge on the near bank.
Google Maps 52.1772, -2.2984The Old Mill Pond
North Lees, Derbyshire
Fed by a stream, the Old Mill Pond once
served a paper mill, but now provides a
secret swim spot in the woods. It makes
for a wonderful dip after a walk around
the Stanage Edge Path. If you fancy
making a weekend of it, North Lees
Campsite is a few hundred metres away.
How to get there A short walk down
from Hollin Bank car park, following
the path into the woods.
Google Maps 53.348733, -1.642452Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Margate, Kent
The largest tidal pool in the UK,
Walpole Bay has fantastic views out
over the English Channel. Enter from
the beach, or climb down metal ladders
into the water. The pool will be
completely submerged at high tide, soto wear water shoes as there are stones).
How to get there An hour from Chester
on the A494. Pay and display car park
near Bala Adventure and Watersports.
Walk along the path to access the lake.
Google Maps 52.906208, -3.605846Shiplake Lock to
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
A delightful swim through George
Orwell’s “Golden Country” admiring
the riverbanks and eyots (river islands).
Setting off downriver it’s a two-mile
swim, but there are plenty of places to
get out for a breather. As you pass
Marsh Lock, Henley will come into view
— get out at Singers Park, just before
the bridge. The Angel on the Bridge is
a great pub right by the river.
How to get there From Shiplake station,
turn left at the Baskerville pub and
continue along Mill Road for 0.6 miles.
At the end of the road, turn left on to
Mill Lane, then right after 50m on to the
path leading to the lock.
Google Maps 51.5013, -0.8829Fluxton Weir, River
Otter Devon
A brilliant pool for swimming above the
weir in pastures between Tipton and
Ottery St Mary. The weir is on the route
of a scenic, circular walk on both sides of
the River Otter, where you’ll find pretty
meadows to picnic in. Visit the Golden
Lion in Tipton for delicious food, while
Otter Pods Glamping Park is nearby.
For the cleanest water, do this swim
when there hasn’t been excessive rainfall.
How to get there From the public car
park in Tipton St John Playing Fields,
cross over the bridge, turn right through
the metal gate and follow the River
Otter along the towpath for ¾ mile,
passing Five Arches Bridge on your right.
Google Maps 50.7267, -3.2891Glen Etive loch and
river Glen Coe, Highland
This dramatic glen is a paradise, with
wonderful pink rocks, river pools and
good access from a tiny road that winds
all the way to the loch. The first set of
plunge pools are obvious from the
roadside when you arrive. Further down
you come to Lower Canyon, which
provides a longer swim. There’s a great
spot for wild camping above, and good
food served at the Kingshouse Hotel.
How to get there Heading towards Fort
William on the Glencoe A82, pass the
Kingshouse Hotel then take the next left.
Google Maps 56.6184, -4.9239Clevedon Marine Pool
Somerset
A wonderful 250m tidal pool on the edge
of the Bristol Channel. Clevedon is like
an infinity pool, and swimming during
the sunset, when the water turns the
colour of molten gold, is spectacular.
There aren’t changing rooms here, but
the pool is open 24 hours a day and it’s
free to use. The nearby Salthouse pub is
a great spot for lunch.
How to get there Salthouse Fields pay
and display car park is a few minutes’
walk from the pool.
Google Maps 51.435148, -2.868711Gill Force pool Cumbria
Eskdale is renowned for its magical
pools and waterfalls beneath Scafell Pike,
England’s highest peak. Gill Force is
down in the main valley and one of the
most hidden pools, a beautiful spot in
a narrow wooded canyon.
How to get there Cross Dalegarth
Bridge and find the car park further
along towards Dalegarth Hall. Walk
upstream along the Esk’s left bank for
¾ mile. There’s also a deep pool under
nearby Stanley Force.
Google Maps 54.39015, -3.26638
Achmelvich Beach
Lochinver, Highland
The famed mountains of Stac Pollaidh
and Suilven rear up behind the perfect
white-sand beach north of Lochinver.
Achmelvich means “meadow and
dunes”. From here you can walk on to
the hidden bay of Port Alltan na
Bradhan, a deep, sand-lined natural
harbour with sheltered swimming. A
good spot for sunsets and wild camping.
How to get there It’s located 4 miles
down a single-track road, signed off the
A837 at Lochinver.
Google Maps 58.1727, -5.3043
Slippery Stones pool
Derwent River, Derbyshire
The young Derwent River is just a
bubbling brook here but with several
surprisingly deep pools, offering hours
of fun — it’s a great spot for jumping in.
Follow the valley up for more pools, and
to explore Howden Moor with views
down over the great reservoirs and on to
Chatsworth House beyond.
How to get there Drive, cycle or bus
to the head of Howden Reservoir. From
here, walk a mile upstream to find the
main pool, 300m above the footbridge.
Google Maps 53.4546, -1.7470
Moor Sands cove Devon
Prawle Point is the most southerly point
in Devon, and one of the wildest in the
West Country. There are several secret
coves along the cliffs but Moor Sands is
the best, accessed by following a pretty
path that crosses a stream. There are
pearly white pebbles and an offshore
rock to swim out to. There’s good food
at the Providence Inn in East Prawle.
How to get there The cove is two miles
west of Prawle Point car park.
Google Maps 50.21433, -3.73619
Lough Neagh Co Antrim
A wonderful wild swimming destination,
Gawley’s Gate is a small village on the
southeastern shore of Lough Neagh.
Look out for kingfishers and herons
swooping above your head while you
swim. It’s a beautiful place to watch the
sunset over the lake.
How to get there Entry to the water is
by the slipway behind the Gate Inn pub
on the Derryola Bridge Road B156.
Google Maps 54.5418, -6.3195
Ceibwr Bay near
Moylegrove, Pembrokeshire
This is probably one of the most lonely
and dramatic sections on the
Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Twisted and
contorted black rocks are shot through
15 best places for a really wild swim
DANIEL START/WILDSWIMMING.COM; ALAMYcheck the tide times before you go.
How to get there Free parking in
Hodges Park Promenade above. One
minute down the walkway to the sand.
Google Maps 51.3923, 1.4053Stair Hole Lulworth Cove,
Dorset
An inland lagoon formed here when a
huge sea cavern collapsed, leaving a
network of cave tunnels that lead out to
the sea. Swim into the “blue grotto”
and snorkel through its chambers,
where water booms and the sun
rays dance and shine. Swim here
in high tide and calm seas only.
How to get there 200m from
the main Lulworth Cove car
park. Bear right on the track by
the coastguard hut, behind the
visitor centre. Scramble down
carefully or canoe round from
Lulworth Cove.
Google Maps 50.6180, -2.2524Lake Bala Gwynedd
Also known as Llyn Tegid, Lake Bala is
a freshwater glacial lake in Snowdonia
National Park with incredible views over
hillsides and mountains, cool clear water
and small bays. There’s easy entry to the
lake from the shore (but you may wantver
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afreshwaGill Force, CumbriaLake Bala, GwyneddAchmelvich Beach, HighlandCompiled by Daniel Start,
John Weller and Lola
Culsán. Outdoor
Swimming London — 140
best wild swims and lidos
within easy reach of the
capital is available now
(£18.99, Wild Things
Publishing)