The photos and information on this page are the most recent NEW “swim spots” ie ones I haven’t been to before (over time the older ones on this page will be transferred to the main Gazetteers).
Wild Swimming Season 2023
Plenty of “swims” so far this year, but no new swim spots yet…..
Wild Swimming Season 2022
“This summer I went swimming
This summer I might have drowned
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
And I moved my arms around.”(Loudon Wainwright III, “Swimming Song”, 1973)
[clear]
Blake Mere Mermaid Pool (near Leak)
Location
- Approx 5km NE of Leek on the west edge of the Peak District. Take the B road that does a loop to the east of the A53 and just under 1km north of the Mermaid Pub (RIP) the pool can be found right next to the road.
Grid Ref
- SK040/612
Features
- Right by side of the road but slightly hidden from view, but you get good views from the water (weather permitting) to the west. Easy access but you do have to ignore some signs.
Hazards
- Warnings of it being MOD land (technically thats just to the north) and submerged objects. As ever you need to be careful but my feet didn’t catch any.
Date of Last Swim
- 20th November 2022
Loch Fraing (Isle of Mull)
Location
- Near Carsaig on the south coast of Mull. Take the minor road off the A849 from Pennyghael and park where you can before the road descends to Carsaig. Then take the “track” which is just about visible as it zig zags across the hillside to the loch
Grid Ref
- NM5441/2254
Features
- Great location with views over the sea to south of Mull. Almost an infinity pool with a view over to Jura (but you don’t quite get the view when you are in the water).
Hazards
- None really, but alot shallower than it looks (Rowan ascertained that the bottom was 0.5m of silt!)
Date of Last Swim
- 21st July 2022
Barbrook reservoir (Peaks)
Location
- SW of Sheffield on edge of Peaks. Nearest habitation is Peacock Inn at Owler Bar. For shortest walk-in (c. 1km) park on the A621 and follow the path.
Grid Ref
- SK2767/7616
Features
- Easy access from the south side and plenty of deep water.
Hazards
- Former reservoir probably for Chesterfield and does still have an outflow but its very shallow in that area so low risk. The only other hazard is the odd swimming dog….
Date of Last Swim
- 30th May 2022
River Earn (Perthshire)
Location
- Follow the signposts to, and park, at Innerpeffray Chapel and Library off the B8062 NW of Kinkwell Bridge.
Grid Ref
- NN901/718
Features
- Easy parking and adjacent (short) Heritage Trail Walk, but the “best feature” is that you can swim next to the location where the most northerly road in the Roman empire crossed the River Earn….
Hazards
- Surprisingly few “easy access/exit” points
Date of Last Swim
- 18th April 2022
Allit Dubh tbc. (Isle of Arran)
Location
- Approx 2km SE of Lochranza (the distillery side of the village). Walk along the path out of the village into Gleann Easan Bioarch and there a several good swim spots along the river/stream.
Grid Ref
- NR947485 (approx)
Features
- Easy/gentle access into an area of localised deep water with a waterfall if there is another water!
Hazards
- None noted
Date of Last Swim
- 15th April 2022
Machrie Water (Isle of Arran)
Location
- Near the “world famous” Machrie stone circle complex. Take the path along the northern bank of the river from where it is crossed by the A841. Multiple pools although not all deep enough for swimming
Grid Ref
- NR901/329
Features
- Gentle/easy access and a grass bank
Hazards
- Dead sheep observed downstream!
Date of Last Swim
- 12th April 2022
Wild Swimming Season 2021
Wild Swimming Season 2020
For obvious reasons, 2020 wasn’t very good for travelling and finding new swim spots………………
Once upon a time in pre-Covid days (2019)
This summer (well early April) I went swimming (in Loch na h-Oidhche)
this summer (no, it was definitely April), I might have drowned (but fortunately didn’t as there was a G&T waiting for me)
but I held my breath (not by choice but because it was a bit nippy)
and I kicked my feet (to try to keep warm)
and I moved my arms around (see above)
moved my arms around (see above)
(Loudon Wainwright III, Swimming Song)
Once upon a time in pre-Covid days (2018)
All previous years “New Swim Spots” have now been added to the main pages by country/region/river/area