One of the essential things that makes a wild swim truly \u2018wild\u2019 is the wildlife; to be overtaken by the electric blue flash of a kingfisher<\/strong><\/a>, hear the plop of a diving otter upstream, or feel the buzzing wings of a dragonfly on your cheek. To be in the water with them is to be immersed in their world, and while this is undoubtedly magical, it is paramount for us\u00a0 \u2013 as mere interlopers \u2013 to respect that world.<\/div>\n
The key ways to minimise impact on wildlife habitats when wild swimming is to keep noise to a minimum, avoid disturbing nesting birds, not damage beds of waterweed, and to wash your swimming gear between use in different bodies of water. And, of course, take your litter home \u2013 aim to leave nothing behind but footprints!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Find more inspiration and practical advice on outdoor swimming in our wild swimming hub<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n
\nNorth<\/span><\/h3>\n
North<\/span><\/h3>\nLoch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus<\/a><\/h3>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Loch an Eilein\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Red deer <\/a><\/li>\n
- Osprey<\/li>\n
- Crossbill<\/li>\n
- Crested tit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Randolph\u2019s Leap, River Findhorn, Forres<\/h3>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Photo credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n- Red squirrel<\/li>\n
- Salmon<\/li>\n
- Woodpecker<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Kailpot Crag, Ullswater, Lake District<\/h3>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Kailpot Crag at Ullswater.\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nYou\u2019ll find this small shingle beach and cliff for jumping one mile along the lakeside path from Sandwick. The perfect place to take the kids for a daring leap and an afternoon of fun in the sparkling waters of Ullswater, with paddle steamers passing by.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Look out for:<\/div>\n- Otter<\/a><\/li>\n
- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Osprey<\/li>\n
- Pied flycatcher<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Linhope Spout, Northumberland<\/h3>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Linhope Spout\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Curlew<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Three Shires Head, River Dane, Peak District<\/h3>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Three Shires Head on the River Dane\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n- Red kite<\/li>\n
- Peregrine falcon<\/li>\n
- Buzzard<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\nLearn to identify raptors in our\u00a0British birds of prey guide<\/a>, and look for them on<\/em>\u00a0our Three Shires Head walking route<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/div>\n\n
Appletreewick, River Wharfe, North Yorkshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Three Shires Head on the River Dane\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n- Water vole <\/a><\/li>\n
- Dipper<\/li>\n
- Pied wagtail<\/li>\n
- Heron <\/a><\/li>\n
- Kingfisher<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Read more<\/strong><\/p>\n- Wild swimming in Britain: water safety and how to get started<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n
- Best wild swimming spots in Britain<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n
\nSouth<\/span><\/h3>\nThe Warren, River Wye, Hay on Wye<\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Wye Valley and River Wye\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Loch an Eilein\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/05\/loch-an-eilein-wild-swimming-wildlife-7ad1d1e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>A freshwater loch at the foot of the Cairngorms, surrounded by fine pine forests. There\u2019s a castle ruin on an island to explore (Loch an Eilein translates as Loch of the Island) and easy access to the water with a carpark nearby. A popular swimming lake but quiet areas can be found.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Look out for:<\/div>\n
\n
- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Red deer <\/a><\/li>\n
- Osprey<\/li>\n
- Crossbill<\/li>\n
- Crested tit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Follow our Loch an Eilein walking route<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/div>\n\nRandolph\u2019s Leap, River Findhorn, Forres<\/h3>\n
\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Photo credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n A jaw-dropping wooded gorge descending to rocky headlands, dotted with lots of little beaches, pools and shallows for paddling in the whisky-coloured water. Do not enter\u00a0rushing white water areas that are too dangerous to swim in. Parking is downstream at the Logie Steading Visitor Centre, which has cafes, shops and galleries to explore.<\/div>\nLook out for:<\/div>\n- Red squirrel<\/li>\n
- Salmon<\/li>\n
- Woodpecker<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Kailpot Crag, Ullswater, Lake District<\/h3>\n
\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Kailpot Crag at Ullswater.\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n You\u2019ll find this small shingle beach and cliff for jumping one mile along the lakeside path from Sandwick. The perfect place to take the kids for a daring leap and an afternoon of fun in the sparkling waters of Ullswater, with paddle steamers passing by.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Look out for:<\/div>\n- Otter<\/a><\/li>\n
- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Osprey<\/li>\n
- Pied flycatcher<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Linhope Spout, Northumberland<\/h3>\n
\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Linhope Spout\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n West of the village of Ingram in the Breamish Valley, you\u2019ll find Linhope Spout, a 60ft waterfall that tumbles into a pool two metres wide and five metres deep.To get there is a 1.5 mile walk from the end of the public road at Hartside Farm \u2013 along the way you\u2019ll be treated to views of Cunyan Crags and Northumberland moorland.<\/div>\nLook out for:<\/div>\n- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Curlew<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Three Shires Head, River Dane, Peak District<\/h3>\n
\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Three Shires Head on the River Dane\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n These idyllic falls beneath a packhorse bridge are the meeting point of three counties \u2013 Derbyshire, Cheshire<\/strong><\/a> and Staffordshire<\/strong><\/a>. There are shallow areas for the kids to paddle in, and a deep pool for swimming at the foot of one of the waterfalls. Parking is just over a kilometre away at the Cat and Fiddle pub on the A537, provided you buy something from their shop.<\/div>\nLook out for:<\/div>\n- Red kite<\/li>\n
- Peregrine falcon<\/li>\n
- Buzzard<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\nLearn to identify raptors in our\u00a0British birds of prey guide<\/a>, and look for them on<\/em>\u00a0our Three Shires Head walking route<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/div>\n\n
Appletreewick, River Wharfe, North Yorkshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Three Shires Head on the River Dane\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nDeep pools for swimming, rapids and a rope swing for playing, a large shingle beach to lay your picnic rug \u2013 this beautiful stretch on the River Wharfe has it all. There\u2019s also a campsite on the riverbank should you wish to extend your visit.<\/div>\nWe included Appletreewick in our round-up of the best places to go wild swimming in Britain<\/strong><\/a>.<\/div>\nLook out for:<\/div>\n- Water vole <\/a><\/li>\n
- Dipper<\/li>\n
- Pied wagtail<\/li>\n
- Heron <\/a><\/li>\n
- Kingfisher<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
\nRead more<\/strong><\/p>\n
- Wild swimming in Britain: water safety and how to get started<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n
- Best wild swimming spots in Britain<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n
\nSouth<\/span><\/h3>\n
The Warren, River Wye, Hay on Wye<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Wye Valley and River Wye\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nA popular shingle beach and meadow on the banks of the River Wye, just outside Wales\u2019 famous book town. Upstream of the beach is a long, deep section to swim in, while children can enjoy the shallower areas below the rapids.<\/div>\nWildlife: grey heron, cormorant, otter, water vole, eel<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFollow our - Best wild swimming spots in Britain<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Water vole <\/a><\/li>\n
- Curlew<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Red squirrel <\/a><\/li>\n
- Otter<\/a><\/li>\n
- Red deer <\/a><\/li>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/05\/randolphs-leap-river-findhorn-wild-swimming-wildlife-cd8cf65.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C412"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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