Wild swimming spots

There’s a place called “slippery stones” at the top end of derwent valley reservoir. I think the access road is currently closed so you have to park at derwent visitor centre and walk a fair way but it’s largely flat and it’s a nice walk anyway

Slippery Stones above the Derwent reservoirs. Some of the pools are deep enough to jump from rocks into if that is your thing. I've seen kids going from pool to pool using inflatables.

I've swum in Howden reservoir and it was fantastic. I was in fairly early and didn't get told off but your mileage may differ.

Several recent mass trespass swims in Kinder reservoir, I'd like to try it one day.

Some people swim in Mermaid's pool, near Kinder Downfall. Might be quite shallow.

Hungerford

Missed this when you posted originally so apologies for the super later reply but it might help someone...

As Andyp said near Dun Mill lock is good and one of the only spots that's deep enough to swim. Where the old mill stream goes under the road there is a little fisherman's car park and grassy area. It's deepest just where it comes out from under the bridge.

Also you can get to another branch of the Kennet just by the canal at the lock.

In town by the war memorial you can get in but not deep so just for a paddle.

Also on the marsh there is the "whirly pool" or ash tree pool which is a popular spot for kids in the summer as it's shallow and easy access. Not deep enough to swim here though.

Most of the Kennet and Dun is private and closely protected fishing so get in where you can, the water is lovely and there are lots of trout to spot!

I think the access road is currently closed

Only to motor vehicles. You can still cycle it. Or walk but it's shorter on the other side.

Saxon lake in west Drayton is decent too, not as good/clean as the shepperton lakes but still nice for a swim

Does get busy tho. Best access is via little benty (the road where the notorious serial killer levi bellfield lived)

this could be on a map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kdkzNLTscHkJWpPy6?g_st=i (pls add / edit !!)

I live near Greenland Dock and I've been thinking about ways to get the council to allow swimming. I'd want it to be more like a beach and less like the 'love open water' places in Canary Wharf and Royal Docks.

Little barbrook/ barbrook reservoir off the A621

Hathersage has a lido

It's very unlikely to happen as open access unless we get Scottish style right to roam in England. There is a Facebook group, 'Inland Access Group - Outdoor Swimming Society' that might have some useful pointers.

thnx, not on facebook but will look into this!

Looking at your map... I doubt Shadwell basin is full of underwater objects and currents or the activity centre wouldn't encourage kids to jump in. No more dangerous than any other cold and deep body of water.

I'm on Facebook for swimming and nothing else.

River Derwent at Froggat bridge,
Rivelin Valley

Damflask Reservoir
Redmires reservoir
Middle peak quarry is amazing but you have to sneak in.

Shadwell was my local pool for a few years. I'd say safer than most due to lack of currents etc.Swimming is very actively discouraged - I've been told to get out by police three times. Obviously a much more important use of their time than getting the local yoot to stop stabbing each other. Sample convo:

• You might know what you're doing in there, but what if the kids copy you?
  
• It's January m8.
  
  

There was a death a few years ago - one of those roasting summer weekends when all the locals sit there drinking/getting stoned all day, then jump in to cool off. They're not used to deep/cold/any water, and one doesn't come back up. Tragic, but not much of a danger for experienced swimmers.

not much of a danger for experienced swimmers

Statistically I'm much more at risk of harm cycling to a swimming spot than I am swimming there. As you say most of the people that come to harm aren't wearing swimsuits or are in a big group where swimming wasn't the main activity.

Land owners get worried about their liability and ban swimming as the easy option. The good people of the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club went all the way to the high court to get unsupervised access to the mixed pond and won but it still has a load of paperwork, too much for me to bother as much as I'd like access to the mixed pond in the winter.

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2005/713.html

Thinking about it the Shadwell situation isn't that different from the mixed pond. Swimming is allowed in some circumstances (the activity centre) but not generally. Someone could probably challenge Tower Hamlets Council using the mixed pond ruling as precedent and they might win. I suppose it needs lawyers and probably quite a bit of cash.

I was probably being a bit too cautious about Shadwell basin, I haven't been in a while but was my favourite London swimming spot, it's edited on the map.

The comparison with the mixed pond is interesting and, probably relevant to Greenland Dock as well, where swimming is allowed under some circumstances (there have been swim events and there's a water sports centre.)

https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Guide-To-Inland-Bathing-Areas-2018_small.pdf

This is a good guide, also referencing that Hampstead case towards the end. Needs some translating to dock for Greenland / Shadwell. I want this to happen. Greenland dock is huge and summers won’t get less hot…