Wild swimming has become increasingly popular among holidaymakers this year, with many travelling to the best spots around the UK to take a dip in the wild waters.
Once considered the pastime of adrenaline junkies and recovering athletes, wild swimming has been named one of the biggest wellness movements of 2023.
Recent research by Outdoor Swimmer found 84% of swimmers are looking to take the plunge outdoors with the most common reason being due to the mental health benefits it provides.
Not only does wild swimming help improve mental health, but it’s a great way to cool off from the high temperatures and sunny weather that this summer is promising.
To help travellers enjoy a natural dip in some of the UK’s best rivers, lakes, and lagoons, Sykes Holiday Cottages has rounded up a collection of properties located near popular wild swimming spots...
The Old Fish Bar – Margate, Kent
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £616
This dog-friendly property is home to a roof terrace bar where guests can relax with a glass of bubbly and marvel at the sun setting over the town’s skyline. There is also a barbeque and retro-style furniture for dining al fresco during the summer months. Inside, there are modern fixtures and high-end designs in each room, including its plush corner sofa and crittall-style windows.
Guests can spend their days exploring the golden shores of Margate Beach and enjoy a refreshing dip in the Walpole Bay tidal swimming pool which is known to be one of the most picturesque wild swimming spots in the UK.
Garden Cottage – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Sleeps: Two
Price: Seven nights from £489
Situated on a working family farm just three miles from the Welsh town of Haverfordwest is The Garden Cottage. A quaint retreat, guests can spend their mornings out on the patio beneath the sun, dining alfresco with a hearty breakfast, before heading out to see all the sights Pembrokeshire has to offer.
For those who fancy a spot of wild swimming, Wales’s very own Blue Lagoon – which is surrounded by sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs – can be found next to Abereiddy Beach a 30-minute drive away. Known for being one of the best spots in Wales for wild swimming, coasteering and kayaking, the water is free from currents and has a small rocky shoreline providing easy access in and out of it.
31, Manor Road – Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Sleeps: Five
Price: Seven nights from £715
Spaced out over three floors and home to a well-equipped kitchen, guests can come together for a home-cooked meal after a busy day exploring the nearby area, which includes the nearby gardens and historical grounds of Blenheim Palace.
Port Meadow, where the River Isis runs, is a short drive away and offers the perfect spot for wild swimming due to being surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and breathtaking views. Guests can also head to Fiddler’s Island, which is near to central Oxford, or Godstow and Wolvercote to immerse themselves in the local nature trails.
The Folly – Linton, North Yorkshire
Sleeps: Two
Price: Seven nights from £585
The cottage has several contemporary features, including a smart TV, kitchen amenities, and plush furnishings, as well as a private patio and hot tub for admiring the surrounding countryside with a glass of wine.
Appletreewick is a short drive away and home to the River Wharfe, which has a track leading to a local wild swimming spot. Budding swimmers can head down the path opposite the New Inn pub to find the small pool on the river for an afternoon dip before returning to the pub to try their extensive menu, darts board, or pool table.
Mum’s Cottage – Minions, Cornwall
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £364
Boasting open-plan living space, large windows, and comfortable furnishings, Mum’s Cottage is an ideal base for a family or two couples looking to get away from everyday life and uncover this part of Cornwall.
For a day out, holidaymakers can venture over to the Goldiggins Quarry in Minions, which is home to a wild swimming spot accessible only by foot and is well worth the short hike to get to. Tucked away in the Bodmin Moor, Goldiggins Quarry is surrounded by rolling countryside and is known for its crystal-clear waters.
