📖 Overview
Wild Swimming serves as a guidebook to over 300 natural swimming locations across Britain, including rivers, lakes, waterfalls and coastal spots. The book provides detailed directions, maps, and safety information for each swimming site.
The text includes photographs of the swimming locations along with practical details about water depth, access points, and nearby facilities. Start incorporates historical context about wild swimming traditions in Britain and basic advice about swimming safely in natural waters.
Each region of Britain receives its own chapter with local swimming spots organized by area and type of water body. The book contains recommendations for family-friendly locations as well as more remote and challenging swimming adventures.
The work celebrates Britain's natural waterways while promoting a return to traditional outdoor swimming culture and environmental appreciation. Through its practical guidance, Wild Swimming aims to reconnect readers with nature through direct immersion in the landscape.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe the book as a practical guide with detailed maps and GPS coordinates for finding swimming spots across Britain. The photos showcase clear water and natural settings.
Readers appreciated:
- Clear directions and accurate location details
- High quality photos that represent the locations well
- Safety information and practical tips
- Mix of well-known and hidden swimming locations
Common criticisms:
- Some locations are on private land or inaccessible
- Coordinates occasionally incorrect or outdated
- Limited coverage of certain UK regions
- Print size too small for outdoor use
Ratings:
Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (850+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (120+ ratings)
Reader quote: "This book got me into wild swimming - the directions are spot-on and the photos make you want to dive right in." - Amazon reviewer
Critical quote: "Several spots listed are now closed to the public or require permits. Updates needed." - Goodreads review
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Taking the Plunge by Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan This documentation of outdoor swimming locations combines photographs and stories from year-round swimmers across Scotland's lochs, rivers, and seas.
The Swimming Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst This narrative weaves swimming culture with British social history through the story of a man who frequents London's pools and underground swimming scenes.
Swell: A Waterbiography by Jenny Landreth The book traces the evolution of outdoor swimming in Britain with focus on the women who championed the sport and fought for swimming rights.
Floating: A Life Regained by Joe Minihane A swimming journey across Britain's wild waters follows the path of Roger Deakin while exploring connections between water and mental health.
Taking the Plunge by Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan This documentation of outdoor swimming locations combines photographs and stories from year-round swimmers across Scotland's lochs, rivers, and seas.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌊 The book was first published in 2008 and became an instant bestseller, sparking a revival of wild swimming across Britain
🏊♂️ Daniel Start personally visited and photographed over 400 swimming locations across Britain to create this comprehensive guide
🗺️ The book includes detailed GPS coordinates, safety tips, and information about water quality for each swimming spot
🌿 Many of the locations featured in the book are ancient "wild swimming" spots that have been used since Roman times
📸 Author Daniel Start is an award-winning travel photographer whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and The Telegraph