Wild Swimming Campsites

Wild Swimming Campsites

Wild swimming is a definite must do, something that would enhance or grace any bucket list! I was first introduced to wild swimming by a friend of mine, who was inspired originally by the amazing books which is aptly named "Wild Swimming", and "Wild Swimming Coast", by the inspiring author Daniel Start. Daniel has put together these books to highlight some astonishing locations here on our doorstep in the UK! Hot off the press, if you like Wild swimming then you can download the latest App on the following Wild Swimming App

My first experience of Wild swimming was at a sun soaked Stainforth Bridge at the River Ribble. Parking was not straightforward but it was worth it. We arrived at this beautiful location, which had a real mix of families, couples enjoying the sunshine, groups paddling and the more adventurous were jumping off the side walls and off the fast flowing waterfall! Wow! If this was Wild Swimming then I had immediately fallen in love with it!

After a few jumps, we started to get braver and started to climb higher to get to that bigger jump! One thing to point out, is that although the water looks deep it can be deceiving, so always check it out first and don't leave anything to chance!

After an hour or so there we went onto a campsite near Langstrath, we pitched the tent and literally outside the boundary of the campsite we were met with my next Wild Swimming adventure and a naked lady! Once the naked lady had covered up her modesty we were in! This time it was a series of small pools with the water flowing down from a small waterfall. We managed to get up to the waterfall and sit under it. I was having the most natural health spa around, this idyllic setting was better than you would find at any luxury health spa!

Swimming down from this point was one of the most magical experiences ever; there was a swimmable channel, where the banks built up either side, so you got the privileged feeling of being in a place that few will get to experience. The sun was going down the water was calm and as I treaded water I could see lots of different insects and butterflies coming down, dancing off the water in this most calm and beautiful of surroundings! The water below was clear and the whole experience was quite a moving and magical one!

I was sold on Wild swimming and sold on getting the Wild swimming books and seeing which other places I could go to. Not far from the campsite was another few great spots which involved jumping in from a great height (well it wasn't that high!).

The next day we swam in a Tarn, jumped off a bridge and was treated to some more absolutely amazing wild swimming!

By David Casey