Freshwater swims for families
Long, warm days and summer holidays were made for family fun in the water. But you don’t have to head for the coast – our rivers, lakes and lochs offer exciting adventures close to home. Helen Webster picks her top freshwater swim spots
Water has a magical hold over us. While mountains and valleys, trails and woods each offer a breathtaking experience of their own, there is something about water that has an unrivalled ability to calm the soul and ease our minds.
The benefits of wild swimming have been well-reported of late, too, with research telling us that time in blue-green spaces, as well as the effects of immersing our bodies in water, can have a positive effect on our mental and physical health.
Planning a day out around a swim can be a huge amount of fun. But when it comes to family summer holidays, the temptation is always to head for the coast to find water. While beach days are undoubtedly a favourite, it’s worth exploring our inland water as well. By doing so, you deliver valuable nature experiences to children and can easily plan an adventure on your doorstep by walking to a swim spot, before enjoying a dip and a picnic.
In the UK, our myriad freshwater environments are rich with wildlife, and organisations such as The Rivers Trust are working hard to highlight the creatures and plants that need our help, in order to conserve them for future generations. Catching the flash of turquoise and orange as a kingfisher zips along a river or spying a yellow-bellied newt basking in the sun – these are experiences you will never forget.
Loch Morlich, Inverness-shire
While Loch Ness may be the most famous Scottish lake, it’s not a recommended spot for swimming because it’s very deep and peaty, rarely reaching more than 5°C (which is icy cold). Instead, head to Loch Morlich for a wild-swimming adventure. With the Caingorms as your backdrop and many sandy spots to enter the water, it’s the perfect choice for family days out. Watersports are available, too, if you fancy a spot of kayaking or canoeing. Just make sure (as with all mixed-use bodies of water) that you look out for craft while swimming and keep yourself visible with a brightly coloured wetsuit or swimsuit, a swim cap and tow float. visitscotland.com
Look out for: Be patient and you will spot a variety of birds here, including ducks, divers and, if you’re very lucky, ospreys.
Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset
River swimming in the UK has a long and storied past and if you want to head to a swim spot with heritage, you can’t get much better than a dip in the Frome with Farleigh & District Swimming Club. Often cited as the oldest river swimming club in the country, Farleigh & District was founded here in 1933. This picturesque spot offers a 70m stretch of deep water, with shallows above the weir; there are changing screens, toilets, a picnic and sunbathing area and plenty of parking. There are usually knowledgeable club members about, too, if you are new to river swimming. You do need to join as an annual member, but at £25 per family (up to six people), it’s well worth the price. farleighswimming.co.uk
Look out for: Dragonflies (seen on the swim club’s logo), kingfishers, butterflies and bats.
Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire
This stunning wetland environment offers plenty of options for family days out. Comprising more than 180 lakes managed by the Cotswold Lakes Trust charity, a range of companies offer supervised experiences on the water, from stand-up paddleboarding and swimming to sailing, while the Cotswold Country Park and Beach – with sand and a lagoon to swim in – is ideal if you want a coastal vibe. More than anything, this area is known for its nature trails and visiting birdlife. Some parts are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and feature rare plants, including lesser bearded stonewort and, in spring, snake’s head fritillary and downy-fruited sedge. waterpark.org
Look out for: badgers, terns, nightingales, wading birds.
Sandford Parks Lido, Gloucestershire
Many lidos in the UK fell into disrepair around the 1980s, as the cost of running them increased and many were replaced with modern indoor pools. While not strictly ‘freshwater’, our lidos are seeing a real resurgence at the moment and offer a good option for a day by the water – especially if you have children of different ages and want to make sure they are all catered for. Sandford Parks lido in Cheltenham has a splash pool for little ones, a main 50m pool, a grass area for soaking up the sun and is lifeguarded. Plus, there’s a nature-rich park next door to explore afterwards. sandfordparkslido.org.uk
Look out for: Squirrels and kingfishers in Sandford Park, with its Italian gardens.
Llyn Cau, Gwynedd
While nearby Lake Bala is the home of watersports in this part of Wales, a trip to Llyn Cau is an adventure well worth planning a day around. This crystal-clear lake sits at around 1,500m, surrounded by the formidable peaks of Cadair Idris. Steeped in myth and legend, Cau is shallow at the edges and affords a perfect picnic and dipping spot after the somewhat strenuous climb to get here. However, steps make the climb straightforward and achieveable for most, except for perhaps the littlest family members. The lake can be icy cold and is very deep towards the centre, so keep less confident swimmers to the shallows. visitwales.com
Look out for: newts, frogs, red kites and buzzards.
Rhaedr Mawddach, Gwynedd
Waterfalls create a magical, exhilarating backdrop to a day out; one of our favourite hidden gems is Rhaedr Mawddach in the Coed y Brenin Forest Park in North Wales. Accessed by a stunning walk along the river, also taking in the larger Pistyll Gain Falls, this pool is on the site of one of the old Welsh gold mines. Although panning for gold is prohibited, it’s still tempting to hope for a flash of gold as you swim. The water here is crystal clear and shallow around the edges, deepening towards the falls in the centre. The drop of waterfalls can create quite a bit of force, so ensure it’s safe before allowing children to swim below them. naturalresources.wales
Look out for: Spectacular Douglas firs in the forest and red kites overhead.
Silver Bay, Lake Ullswater, Cumbria
I feel a bit guilty including this one, as Silver Bay in Ullswater, the second longest of the great lakes, is also known as the ‘secret beach’. While more popular spots may be packed with families on a summer’s day, this one needs to be walked to, which all adds to the adventure. The pebbly beach offers the ideal spot for a family picnic and is accessed by parking at Patterdale, about 1.5 miles away, and allows you to take in views of Glenridding, Helvellyn and the lake itself on the way. Ullswater is sometimes affected by algal blooms after long periods of hot weather – check the water conditions before you leave home. lakedistrict.gov.uk
Look out for: If you’re lucky, you may spot red squirrels, deer, otters and peregrine falcons.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN OPEN WATER
• Use The Rivers Trust app and the Surfers Against Sewage app to check the area you want to visit is free of sewage and farm contamination. Be cautious swimming after heavy rainfall when pollution can run into the water.
• Before swimming, always check the area first for hazards and know how deep the water is. See wildswimming.co.uk for more information on specific spots.
• Make sure your family are all competent enough swimmers for the place you choose and keep a close eye on children. If you can, teach your children water safety and skills through the RLSS Summer Water Safety campaign. rlss.org.uk
• Never jump into open water. It will often be colder than you think – plus, there may be hidden obstacles under the surface. Cold water shock can be dangerous, so enter the water gradually at first to acclimatise.
• Make sure you have warm, dry clothes to wear after a swim and if the weather is changeable, have access to shelter. Young children can get very chilly after a dip.
Helen Webster is an open-water swim coach, qualified lifeguard and editor of 220 Triathlon Magazine, so is no stranger to swimming in lakes and rivers in the UK.