Seven swims in sparkling rivers

Immerse yourself in the bright, clean waters of a beautiful upland river, from Daniel Start’s latest edition of his useful guidebook to UK swim spots, Wild Swimming

1 GLEN COE LONG CANYON, RIVER ETIVE

Glen Coe is famous for its wild and dramatic scenery, but a little-known valley running to the south holds its most spectacular swimming pools and gorges. Glen Etive’s Long Canyon is one of the best spots, with high cliffs and deep water. From Eas An Fhir Mhoirnd, continue 1.25 miles past the Alltchaorunn bridge. On the left, there’s a kink in the river, with a large river pool in the bend; the 150m-long canyon lies just downstream.

2 LAKE TONGUE POT, ESKDALE DISTRICT

A magical series of pools leads up the Esk towards Scafell Pike; there is nowhere better to be on a hot day in the Lakes. Tongue Pot is the best, set beneath an ancient packhorse bridge. Many more pools lie 200–300m above, at Esk Waterfall and on Lingcove Becks. Park by the phone box at the bottom of Hardknott Pass and follow the riverside path up for two miles to the confluence and bridge.

3 CORNWALL ROCKY VALLEY, TINTAGEL

In a hidden valley a few miles from the Arthurian castle of Tintagel, a path leads down beside a pretty stream to waterfall pools by sea. Look out for carvings of labyrinths, possibly 3,500 years old, behind the old mill. Park on the B3263, just east of Bossiney, at the layby next to the turn off to Halgabron. Follow the footpath opposite. If there is time, head upstream to St Nectan’s Kieve, where a tall, slender waterfall falls into a plunge pool. Entrance fee, £7.45 adult. st-nectansglen.co.uk

4 DEVON – DARTMOOR PILES COPSE, ERME

With river pools and sandy bays, the River Dart is one of the most beautiful swimming rivers in the UK. Piles Copse is a remnant of ancient oak woodland with an exquisite stream and waterfall. The quickest access is from the hamlet of Tor, near Cornwood. Follow the track that leads north-east up around waterworks and the hillside for one mile.

5 YORKSHIRE APPLETREEWICK, RIVER WHARFE

This delightful stretch of Lower Wharfedale has two pubs and a pleasant lane that leads down through fields to a pretty river pool with a small island. Note: there are submerged rocks inthe pool, which make diving dangerous. Appletreewick is two miles off the B6160 via Bolton Abbey and the A59 from Skipton. For the pool, take the footpath just before Mason Farm campsite (BD23 6DD).

6 BRECON B EACONS LOWER DDWLI FALLS, NEDD FECHAN

You will not find a more impressive network of forest lidos and falling water anywhere in Wales than Coed-y-Rhaiadr (‘waterfall woods’). Lower Ddwli is a fantastic pool under a wide-arced cascade. Park at Pontneddfechan, off the A465 from Swansea. From the Angel Inn (SA11 5NR), follow the river on a good path up through the woods. At a junction pool with footbridges, bear right and follow the main stream a further mile, passing Horseshoe Falls.

7 NORTHUMBERLAND SILLMOOR, RIVER COQUET

To the north-east of Hadrian’s Wall lie the Cheviot Hills, where deep, remote valleys are rich in river pools.At Sillmoor, these perfect pools are bounded by grassy moorland and open meadows. There are also some rapids and a waterfall. From Rothbury, take the B6341 to Alwinton.Cross the river Coquet at Linbriggs farm and continue 0.75 miles to park by the river. If you have time, you can follow the river on another 10 beautiful miles to the Roman border fort of Chew Green high on the Cheviot ridge.

Daniel Start’s second edition of Wild Swimming (Wild Things Publishing, £16.99) contains 300 hidden dips in the lakes, waterfalls and rivers of Britain.