Elisha Tawe

Swim Dem Crew on Curating Inclusive Swimming Spaces

Queer Bruk

London

Margate

Incredible beach with an amazingly (and somewhat surprisingly) diverse and safe atmosphere. Margate is rich with culture that is slowly but surely becoming more diverse, making it a great place for people of colour and LGBTQ+ people. 


Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard 

Stanborough Park is a 126 acre plot of land that has two lakes that are beautiful. While swimming isn’t allowed, it’s an amazing place to take part in canoeing, kayaking and other water sports - Welwyn is still relatively close to London, also!

Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport: Yes

Facilities: Yes


Trent Park is personally near and dear to my heart, I've had my birthday party underneath the same tree since I was one year old (with the exception of a couple of years) and the place is amazing! Located in North London (Cockfosters), the park is 413 acres and there are many bodies of water. It’s a truly amazing place that is transformative and peaceful.

Swim Level: Not for swimming 

Public Transport:  Yes

Facilities: No 

Cool off from the clubs with Queer Bruk’s water spots

Orienteer Magazine

Scotland

Wales

Lake District

We took a trip to Arisaig, Scotland with MW guiding us to go sea kayaking. The water is so clear it looks like the Caribbean, we kayaked from island to island spotting seals as we went. With the right equipment you can also go wild camping, snorkelling or fishing. 


Swim level: Beginner 
Public Transport: Yes 
Facilities: Lifeguard 


A photoshoot took us walking the Watkins Path of Snowdonia. We were following the river up which twists and turns through many rock pools and waterfalls, the rock pools make the perfect spot to stop for a swim and cliff jumping! The clearest water and easy to access.  


Swim Level: Intermediate

Public Transport:  Yes

Facilities: None 

Where I am from in Rickmansworth, there are a lot of lakes that you can go sailing on and spots that would be great for wild swimming. I haven’t been back in years but have fond memories. Catch a short train from London and take an easy stroll around them, it's a great spot to go if you just want to be in nature and surrounded by water. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport:  No 

Facilities: Toilets / Car Park 

When walking The Old Man Of Coniston, the blue lake is the perfect scene for a mirror lake shot - you get reflections of the mountain behind and the sky, if you can stay till sundown! The colours are so vivid. 


Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: No 

There is a lake at the bottom of Pen Y Fan, great spot for a wild swim after a long hike. You can pitch up for the night in the nearby forest and wild camp next to small streams. It's a great spot for a few days as with the right equipment this water can be used for drinking water and to clean your cook sets! 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport: No 

 Facilities: No 

Orienteer Mapazine's top weekend trips that end with a dip

Swim Dem Crew

Brighton

We love taking trips to Brighton’s lesser-talked about beach in Saltdean as it’s got plenty of space and less crowding, it’s more local. It’s just a 10 minute bus journey or drive from Brighton centre. A huge bonus of this beach is that Saltdean Lido is less than 100 metres away, providing you with a beautiful art-deco backdrop to your swim and all the facilities that come with a swimming pool (changing rooms, toilets, café). Saltdean Beach is pebbled, like it’s cousin in Brighton, but don’t let that dampen your experience of the crashing waves and tame (by the UKs standards) sounds of seagulls. It’s a place where you can set up shop with your friends for the day in the summer and enter the water at your own pace. While the stones may make your walk to the water less graceful than you’d like, you’re still in control when compared to some other locations. The water will be refreshing and the seaview on a clear day is incredible. On your way back to Brighton, consider having a meal at Curry Leaf Cafe for a quick bite or Little Fish Market for fancy seafood.

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard  

We visit Margate regularly as a crew when the sun decides to show its face for long enough. The town has been through a regeneration-turned-gentrification sparked by the Turner Contemporary being built and new money hipsters trying to replicate what they saw happening across under-funded boroughs in London on the seaside. That’s brought many challenges for Margate's locals who either can’t get on the property ladder or simply don’t want to, rent is increasing and new homes aren’t being built. It means that for visitors like us, we get to see different communities working and living side by side…for now. Margate has two popular tidal pools. The first is just a few minutes walk from the train station and very much a part of the seaside fun that takes place on hot days, the pool is enclosed so as the tide retreats in the afternoon, there is still plenty of water nearby to get a few laps in. We prefer Walpole Bay pool, which is either a half hour walk from Margate station or a five minute drive. This pool has an all important beach entry and small beach area so tends to be much less busy than Margate’s pool. Expect refreshing water, kids crabbing and seasoned swimming vets all sharing the same space. We challenge you to spend a day there to see the pool appear and disappear as the tide comes in and out, there’s something beautiful about that natural process. Margate has a great food scene with plenty of variety, head to Sargasso for refreshing small plates, Angela’s for the best seafood you’ll ever eat, or their sister restaurant Dory’s for a more casual vibe but similar quality. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: No 

We first visited Frensham Ponds in Farnham in 2021 as a part of us trying to find exciting places outside of London to Swim in and the ponds delivered on that many times over. Of all the places to swim for us, this one is filled with a sense of adventure as it's located in a green with huge trees and rich wildlife. Bring a packed lunch for the day and find a spot along the sand to make your home for the day. Frensham has very calm waters as it’s a lake and two designated swimming areas with a gradual increase in depth as you go further out. We think this is the perfect place to practise floating as it’s such a low pressure place to swim, you’ll most likely be surrounded by families enjoying the weather and water and definitely will not see any elite athletes swimming through the lake. When floating, the key is to remain calm, regulate your breathing and stretch your body out. As you head back to Farnham station, be sure to check out the Plough, it’s a lovely pub with live music most days and is run by a Black musician who also keeps chickens in the garden for delicious eggs. 

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport: No 

 Facilities: No 

Hampstead Heath is home to three swimming ponds, the Ladies, Mens and Mixed ponds are oases in hot summer days and fortresses of solitude in colder weather, with backdrops of comforting willow trees to sooth your inner self. We love to swim there knowing that you’re able to experience floating around on your back or swimming through slightly murky waters without having to leave the City, which is truly special. If Hampstead is too far north for you, consider coming with us down south to Beckenham Place Park for a dip. It’s one of the few ponds that has air filtration which helps to keep the water extra fresh too. You can even give paddle-boarding a try while there and head up to the grounds to see a movie at their outdoor cinema during the summer. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport: Yes

 Facilities: Yes

Heated lidos are actually quite a luxury, while London holds a few of them, we won’t be focusing on them because we think there are so many benefits to having a relationship with cold water. The cold water brings a presence of thought and strengthens the connection between body and mind through the odd sensations you feel, it’s so hard to describe, that’s why you must try it for yourself! So don’t be afraid to go to south London's Brockwell Lido for a dip that will make you feel truly awake, followed by a munch at their amazing cafe. Or head to Tooting Bec Lido that will recreate swimming in the sea as the pool is nearly 100 metres long! Lastly, consider one of the most beautiful lidos in the UK, Parliament Hill Lido with it’s metallic basin (we thought this was done to heat the water up, but it was actually installed to reduce maintenance time as there are no tiles) which also boasts a cafe that has great falafel wraps and traditional breakfast scran. 

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport: Yes 

 Facilities: Yes 

Swim Dem Crew's Bodies of Water for Every Level

Open Waters Community

An effortlessly beautiful beach where you can swim or go fossil foraging if that floats your boat. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes, RNLI lifeguards 

Added by @xcazzyx 

Tiny little shingle beach with stunning views. Great for a quiet little retreat, peppered with fossils and there are some fantastic walks to be had on the surrounding cliffs with spectacular views of the sea. 

Swim Level: Intermediate 
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, toilets 

Added by @wilhopson

One of my fav pools, it's open air, heated and has beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, lifeguards and changing rooms

Added by @heyellieq

Such a great pool and there's a queer swim meet there once a month which is great for water lovers who might not feel so comfortable going to the pool alone. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @freshasadaiz 

Home to a unique breed of seaweed eating sheep who live on it's rocky-foreshore, this beach isn't neccesarrily one for swimming but it's a place where once a year you can tap into local cutlure and traditions by attending the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival which involves rebuilding the drystone sheep dyke to prevent the special breed from straying from the shores and eating grass which is toxic to the sheep. 

Swim Level: Not for swimming
Public Transport: No 
Facilities: No

Added by @gazzergram_

I love this place because it's got fresh running water, beautiful lakes and streams and massive grass areas for lounging in the sun. Perfect place to rest and restore your energy.

Swim Level: Not for swimming
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @feensface 

Beautiful place to swim, one of the best places I've been to wild swim in the UK with some amazing views around the lake. Takes a little bit of a walk along the footpath to get there and you should keep an eye out for boats, but well worth it. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No
Wheelchair access: No 

Added by @samblenk

Tucked away behind Clifton Village in North Bristol, Clifton Lido is a calm oasis offering delicious swim and lunch packages. Pop in during winter as the pool is heated all year round. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes, lifeguards and changing rooms

Added by @bonnieophelia

A 2 mile long pebble beach, set against jurassic cliffs, is a perfect spot for a long walk and day out in the south Devon area. After, get a clotted cream ice cream and pop to the long high street of charity shops. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No 
Wheelchair Access: Yes

Added by @bonnieophelia

A gorgeous sandy beach in South hams at the mouth of the River Avon where you can forage for sea treasure, surf or sun yourself in the summer. I go often to collect drift wood and shells to use in my art pieces. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Lifeguards from May - Sept

Added by @nuttersbychloehill

Hope Cove is like a little slice of the Med tucked into the Devonshire shores. The cove itself is beautiful, with crystal clear water, little streams and rockpools that pepper the beach and lots of big boulders for climbing. It's safe as there's very little current and there are usually lifeguards in the summer months and if you get tired of paddling then there's a lovely little gallery where you can enjoy art produced by locals. 


Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, Seasonal lifeguards 

Added by @indiahill_mhd

Stunning reservoir with clear water that glows a vibrant turquoise in the sunshine where you can go open water swimming, or even take cheeky stop by the hot tub or saunas in you're feeling boujie. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Lifeguards 

Added by @shotbymelissa 

One of the best beaches I've been to, beautiful white sand, very few people, no litter and lots of seals which are very cute. Nudity is also acceptable if that's your thing. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: None

Added by @kittycatmeow4

Take the Bristol to Bath cycle route and end here to pop your toes in the water. Take a picnic and meander through the valley, enjoying a dip in the River avon. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No 

Added by @bonnieophelia 

Powered by volunteers, Clevedon Marine Lake is a salt water tidal pool filled with water and set against the the Bristol channel. Swim, paddle, crab, SUP or canoe here any day of the year. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes 
Facilities: No 

Added by @bonnieophelia 

The bit of Brighton Beach that extends down to Hove is a an oddly serene oasis compared to the main bit of the beach by Brighton town centre. Not many tourist stray down that far, there's a mixture of sandy and pebbled sections and the main draw is it's a lot quieter. Lovely for a dip in the summer and the major key is to position yourself inbetween Marrocco's (a fantastic Italian restaurant where the go to order is a Frittura Mista - a HUGE and delivious box of seafood and chips) and the Brass Monkey's Ice Cream cart (often positioned on Courtney Terrace on the beach front where the beach huts are).

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes

Added by @indiahill_mhd

Quieter than most tourist beaches, with some gorgeous views up at Hastings cliffs, plus there's a lovely group of swimmers, the St Leonards Bluetits, for bigger supportive swims when you want them.

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Changing rooms

Added by @filmsvbooks

Sick place to go for a picnic and a swim in the summer. Bit muddy , but alright when you dive in. Bring your armbands just in case. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @tenzinball

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