A Beginner's Guide to Wild Swimming in the UK

Swimming or a Float at your fingertips

10/5/20263 min read

Thinking about trying wild swimming? Our gentle beginner's guide covers where to swim, staying safe, what to bring and how to enjoy your first dip in UK rivers, lakes and the sea.

There is something about slipping into open water that no swimming pool can match. The cool shock, the light on the surface, a heron lifting off the bank as you glide past. Wild swimming has grown hugely across the UK, and you do not need to be a sporty swimmer to enjoy it.

This guide covers everything you need for your first swim: where to go, how to stay safe and what to bring.

What is wild swimming?

Wild swimming simply means swimming outdoors in natural water: rivers, lakes, lochs and the sea. Some people swim lengths, while others prefer a slow dip and a float. Many swimmers say the biggest benefit is how they feel afterwards: calmer, more awake and closer to nature.

Choosing your first swim spot

For your first swim, choose somewhere calm, popular and easy to get in and out of. Good options include:

  • Lidos and managed lakes. Many open-water venues have lifeguards, marked courses and changing areas. They are a brilliant, low-pressure way to start.

  • Designated bathing beaches. These are regularly tested for water quality during the summer season.

  • Well-known river spots. Look for gentle, slow-moving stretches with a shallow, gradual entry. Local swimming groups are a great source of advice.

Avoid weirs, locks, fast-flowing water, busy boating areas and anywhere with steep or slippery banks. Weirs are particularly dangerous, because the water beneath them can pull swimmers under.

Access rules vary across the UK. Scotland has broad public access rights, while in England and Wales access to many rivers is more limited. Check whether a spot is open to swimmers before you go.

Check the water quality

Water quality is an important part of swimming safely in the UK. Before you swim:

  • Check designated bathing water results from the Environment Agency (or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

  • Use the Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas & Rivers Service, which gives pollution alerts for many swimming spots.

  • Avoid swimming for a couple of days after heavy rain, when pollution levels are often higher.

  • Stay out of water with blue-green algae, which can look like green scum or paint on the surface.

  • Cover any cuts with a waterproof plaster, and shower after swimming.

Staying safe in cold water

UK waters are cold for most of the year, even in summer. The biggest risk for beginners is cold water shock, a sudden gasp and fast breathing in the first minute or so after getting in.

To stay safe:

  1. Never swim alone. Go with a friend or a group, and tell someone where you are going.

  2. Get in slowly. Walk in gradually and let your breathing settle before you start swimming. Never jump or dive into cold water.

  3. Stay close to the edge. Swim parallel to the shore or bank, rather than heading across or out.

  4. Keep it short. Five to ten minutes is plenty when you are starting out, especially in cooler months.

  5. Remember Float to Live. If you get into difficulty, the RNLI advises lying back, spreading your arms and legs, and floating until your breathing calms.

If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or another health concern, check with your GP before trying cold-water swimming.

What to bring on your first swim

You do not need much to get started:

  • A swimsuit

  • A brightly coloured swim hat, so others can see you

  • A tow float, which makes you more visible and gives you something to hold on to

  • Something warm and easy to change into

  • A hot drink in a flask

  • Swim shoes, if the bottom is rocky or muddy

  • Essential kit for your first river swim (LINK)

  • What to wear for outdoor swimming in every season (LINK)

After your swim

Warming up properly matters as much as the swim itself. Get dry and dressed quickly, starting with your top half. Wrap up, sip a warm drink and have a snack. Avoid a hot shower straight away, which can make you feel faint after cold water. Warm up gently instead.

You may keep shivering for a while after you get out. This is normal and is called the "afterdrop". Keep moving gently and stay wrapped up.

Join the community

One of the joys of wild swimming is the people you meet. Many areas have friendly swimming groups that welcome beginners, and they are a safe and sociable way to discover new places.