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No Sh*t: Quick guide to clean and safe swimming
Following the shocking revelations about water quality in recent years, most notably with the release of Joseph Bullman’s drama-documentary Dirty Business, our Swimming Wild in South England books help you find the safest and cleanest swimming across over 150 beautiful locations.
Swimming in the wild has changed many lives for the better. Swimming has many benefits for physical and emotional health as well as just being a fun, sociable thing to do. The Swimming Wild in South England books include details of which resources to use when researching an area for swimming and how to stay safe when enjoying the benefits of a wild dip.
‘Unfortunately, rivers [and beaches] in England aren’t always as clean as we’d like them to be. After heavy rainfall, a river is more likely to be contaminated as water companies discharge sewage to mitigate flooding.’ Natasha Sones, Swimming Wild in South East England. However, there are tools to help you research the water quality of each swimming location.
How can you enjoy wild swimming and protect yourself from sewage pollution?
Before heading off for a wild swim, make sure you do your research. Check live sewage alerts near your chosen swim spot and avoid swimming after any pollution alerts. It is also important you report sickness after swimming to help track pollution impacts.
Resources
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Surfers Against Sewage’s Safer Seas & Rivers Service app (see datahq.sas.org.uk/sewage-data-hq/ is-it-safe-to-swim where there is also some useful information which explains the difference between the map and the app)
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The Environment Agency (part of DEFRA) assesses the water quality at designated bathing water sites between May and September every year. This data can help you assess how clean the water at a particular swimming spot tends to be, but is less useful for up-to-date information
Natasha’s favourite places to wild swim in the South East of England, from her book Swimming Wild in South East England
1 Hampstead Heath Ponds, London
These ponds have such a wonderful sense of community. I adore the fact that in the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond it’s only women, there are female lifeguards and photography is not allowed. Such a rarity in life nowadays. Swimming there in January with ice around the edge of the lake was chilly but amazing. I also really love the Hampstead Mixed Pond. I had a fabulous time swimming there with my friends Emily and Kelly and it was magical in the rain. A real haven.
2 The London docks
I’m cheating and including three places here, but they aren’t too far from each other and are all docks. I get a thrill every time I dip in any one of them, swimming amongst the old dock buildings, industrial cranes and new skyscrapers is an amazing experience.
3 Olney Steps, Buckinghamshire
This swimming spot on the River Great Ouse is a popular place for families and has a rope swing to play on. I loved swimming here one summer’s evening with my sister and nephew.
4 Brighton Beach, East Sussex
I really loved jumping the waves in the English Channel at Brighton, with its bluegreen sea and iconic pier in the background. I had a great time taking part in The Big Swim 2025 here with friends.
5 Botany Bay, Kent
My swim at Botany Bay in Broadstairs was absolutely gorgeous. I swam here with my friend Kelly and we both felt like we were in the Caribbean instead of Kent! Blue-green water, golden sand … just blissful.
Siân’s favourite places to wild swim in the South West of England, from her book Swimming Wild in South West England
1 Boscastle Harbour, Cornwall
If you like swims steeped in myths and legends, it doesn’t get better than this corner of Cornwall’s storied northern coast. Join the locals for a dip in the green seawater that fills this ancient harbour at high tide, with the tall rocky outcrop of Penally Point as a dramatic backdrop.
2 Prussia Cove, Cornwall
Prussia Cove is a peaceful place. The clear blue waters of the Atlantic lap against the shingle of the sheltered beaches, flanked by mosscovered rocks. In winter, you might have this beautiful hideaway all to yourself.
3 St Anthony’s Well, Gloucestershire
Hike deep in the thick canopy of the ancient Forest of Dean and you’ll come across one of England’s most mysterious sacred springs. St Anthony’s Well is believed to date back to medieval times, and is named for St Anthony the Great, a Christian hermit and healer. Today, the well is quiet and largely forgotten, and it’s the perfect peaceful spot for cold-water immersion.
4 Farleigh & District Swimming Club, Somerset
Welcome to the UK’s oldest river swimming club, set in the village of Farleigh Hungerford. Founded in 1933 by the local Greenhill brothers in the name of summer sunbathing and river frolicking, today the club looks after a beautiful 70-metre stretch of Somerset river. For nearly a century visitors have enjoyed wild swimming above an historic weir, dipping off the riverbank and picnicking in a green meadow at this untouched spot.
5 Lorna Doone Valley, Somerset
There are dipping spots along the river at various places, but one of my favourites is found next to Cloud Farm, a National Trust campsite with direct access to the river, so you can stay and sleep under canvas in this secret valley after a cooling swim.
