Porthcawl, South Wales, UK by Andrew Evans

Safety first!

First things first, wild swimming is nothing like a few lengths in your local pool and there are a few things to consider before you make a splash. Firstly, never swim in the wild alone. Unlike a 25m pool, there are no signs which tell you about depth or potential dangers like sharp rocks, thick weeds or strong currents. Ensure someone is on hand to provide help just in case you get into trouble.

Secondly, do your research. Learn about currents if you are swimming in rivers, find out about tides if you’re planning an offshore dip. If you are not a confident swimmer make sure you choose a spot where the water is relatively clear and free of currents and tides. For beginners, lakes are often a safer starting point.

Finally, prepare for the cold. You may like to take a wetsuit along if you’re particularly prone to the chills. Ensure you have warm towels and clothing with you too so that you can warm up as soon as you get out. In the spirit of bravado it can be easy not to take the cold seriously yet very cold water can be a serious hazard.

Got that? Great! Now let’s take a look at some of Wales’ most spectacular wild swimming spots…

Lakes

If you’re new to wild swimming, lakes are the best place to start. Wales has an incredibly diverse selection of lakes for you to cool off in, from high altitude tarns with spectacular views, to wooded glens in secluded spots.

Llyn y Fan Fach is a stunning lake, high up close to the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons. At high altitude you should expect cold temperatures but you should also expect incredible sunsets, mountain views and true escapism.

Meanwhile, for a very different Welsh wild swimming experience, try the Blue Pool at Golwern Quarry close to Fairbourne on the West coast of Wales near Cardigan Bay. Surrounded by steep rock faces, this inviting pool is accessed through a short tunnel.

Llyn y Fan Fach Lake, Wales, UK by SNappa2006

Rivers

River swimming can be challenging if you’d never done it before, especially if there is a current to contend with. However, make sure you’re prepared for this and river swimming in Wales can be a truly liberating and exhilarating experience.

The best rivers to swim in are those which slow to river pools. Here you will be able to enjoy plunge pools and lakes without a strong current, but still swim for a distance if that’s your thing! The Upper Wye is a popular river with wild swimmers. Close to Bulith Wells, you’ll find the Pen-doll Rocks where the Wye is transformed into a long formation of rapids and river pools – perfect for a cooling dip or a real swim. With rock gorges upstream and sandy bays downstream there’s plenty of varied natural beauty to enjoy too.

Swimming Pool on the Upper Wye, Wales, UK by Graham

Sea swimming

The Welsh coast is renowned for its beauty, from the stunning Pembrokeshire coast and Gower Peninsular in the South to the wide white sands of Cardigan Bay, there are hundreds of incredible sea swimming spots in Wales.

There are even beautiful swims to be enjoyed close to the capital. Just 30 minutes outside Cardiff you’ll find Ogmore by Sea and nearby Southerndown where, beneath the beautiful Dunraven Castle, you’ll find rugged beaches and bracing, scenic swims.

If you prefer your beaches sandy and endless try Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsular or Amroth in Pembrokeshire. Aberdyfi in Gwynedd, meanwhile, is famed for its watersports. Keep an eye on the tides and soak up your beautiful surroundings.

Author: Best of Wales scour the Welsh countryside to bring you the most inspiring properties in the most incredible locations. To find the perfect base from which to experience Wales, browse our stunning West Wales Holiday Cottages today.

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Here are some of the best places to go walking in the UK, covering everything from architecture to waterfalls and everything in between.

Pen-y-Fan, South Wales, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Brecon Beacons

Situated in the lower half of Wales, this range of mountains is part of the larger National Park of the same name. They are situated just to the south of the town of Brecon and are hugely popular with walkers. The six peaks range from 2000-3000ft and are easily accessible for less experienced walkers. Paths are also available for those who are looking for more of a challenge. One of the best walks is the ‘Beacons Horseshoe’ which takes in 3 of the peaks and provides some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Further to the east in the National Park is another great walk at Ystradfellte where you can take in many majestic waterfalls; there are plenty of paths available for those wanting to take a leisurely amble around all of the waterfalls.

London

Many people don’t consider London to be the best place to head out for a walk; too much pollution, too many cars and overcrowded? Well you’d be surprised. London is a great place to set out for the day and see the many sights by foot rather than travelling by the underground. First of all, there is the splendor of the many Royal Parks. Hyde Park and Regents Park are two of the largest and you can while away the hours admiring the greenery and lakes (along with the varied wildlife) and spare yourself from the noise of the traffic. Another place worth visiting is the town of Richmond. There is a charming walk besides the river that takes you to the locks at nearby Teddington, on towards Kingston and beyond.

Angle Tarn, Lake District National Park, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Lake District

The Lakes, as they are commonly known are situated in the North West of England and have become increasingly popular with walkers and now attracts up to 16 million visitors per year. Don’t let this put you off however; the area is vast and although you may not have the various routes and paths to yourself at any one time, there is a likelihood that you will find yourself with plenty of breathing space when you’re out on the trail. Most of the walks are hilly, as the roads take over the routes around the lakes themselves; there are many guide books on the area inspired by the works of Alfred Wainwright who discovered many of the routes in the mid-20th century.

Ben Gallivan is a keen walker based in Wales, UK. He has been hiking for many years and writes for Appalachian Outdoors who stock all the best walking gear as well as products from great brands such as Life Is Good clothing.

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The entire region not only includes the peninsula, but covers an area of more then 188 kilometres. In the north, you will find the Loughor Estuary and to the east one can find Swansea Bay.

Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK by Mike Mantin

There are numerous caves that can be found along the edges of the peninsula. The most popular of these caves includes the Minchin Hole Cave and the Paviland Cave. The central portion of the peninsula is agricultural land. While there are some villages in the area, very few have been developed extensively.

It has been well known that the area of Wales has been inhabited by civilizations dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic Era. Over the years, a number of archaeological discoveries on Gower Peninsula have been made. Back in 1823, an archaeologist uncovered the skeleton of a male who had lived in the peninsula more than 33,000 years ago. Several burial chambers that have been successfully dated back to the Neolithic period have also been uncovered.

Out of the original nine stones Bronze Age menhirs that once existed on the peninsula, eight of them are still standing upright today. It is here that one will find the infamous Arthur’s Stone which weighs in at a massive twenty-five tons. To imagine that these massive rocks were cut and moved to the area during the Bronze Age is simply amazing.

Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, UK by Walter Daw

You will not only find a castle in the peninsula that dates back to the medieval period, you will also find the Roman fort of Leucarum. The Roman built fortress can be found where the River Loughor’s mouth existed back in the first century. Today a Norman Castle exists in the location.

You will find that the area is home to a total of six castles. You will find the Bovehill Castle on the Gower Peninsula as well as the Oxwich, Oystermouth, Pennard, Weobley and Penrice Castles. While not all of them are in the best conditions, they are nonetheless a very popular part of visiting the area.

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