Wild swimming has surged in popularity across Britain, transforming from a niche pursuit into a mainstream movement that connects thousands with the country's rivers, lakes, waterfalls and coastal waters. Whether you're seeking a refreshing dip after a countryside walk, planning a swimming adventure across Scotland's lochs, or discovering hidden pools in the Yorkshire Dales, the right guidebook can unlock a world of aquatic exploration.
The wild swimming guidebook market has matured beautifully in recent years, offering everything from comprehensive national atlases to focused regional guides that combine walking routes with swimming spots. These aren't just location lists—the best guides weave together practical access information, safety advice, historical context, and the pure joy of immersion in cold water.
Types of Wild Swimming Guides
Wild swimming guidebooks generally fall into several categories. Comprehensive national guides like Wild Swimming Britain catalogue hundreds of locations across the entire country, perfect for adventurous swimmers willing to travel. Regional specialists such as Blue Scotland offer deeper local knowledge and more detailed route planning for specific areas. Then there are hybrid walk-and-swim guides like the Wild Swimming Walks series, which combine scenic hiking routes with swimming destinations—ideal for families or those who want a full day out.
Urban swimmers aren't forgotten either, with books like An Opinionated Guide to Swim London proving that wild swimming isn't exclusively a rural pursuit. Meanwhile, narrative-driven titles such as Jules & Greg's Wild Swim blend practical information with personal stories and photography, making them as enjoyable to read by the fireside as to use in the field.
Choosing your guide depends on your swimming ambitions. Complete beginners might start with a regional walking guide that eases them into gentle river spots. Experienced swimmers seeking new challenges will appreciate the exhaustive coverage of the national guides. And those who swim as much for the stories and connection as the physical experience will gravitate towards the more reflective, literary offerings.
Our Picks
9 books2
Blue Scotland : The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Scotland’s Wild Waters
by Mollie Hughes
Paperback
Mollie Hughes, an accomplished adventurer and Scotland enthusiast, has created the ultimate dedicated guide to Scotland's swimming waters. Blue Scotland goes beyond simple location listings to explore the country's lochs, rivers, coastal spots and hidden pools with genuine local insight and enthusiasm. Hughes includes safety considerations specific to Scottish conditions, access information respecting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and evocative descriptions that capture the magic of swimming in these northern waters. Perfect for anyone planning a Scottish swimming adventure or locals wanting to explore their homeland's aquatic treasures more thoroughly. The regional organisation and practical detail make trip planning straightforward.
3
Jules & Greg's Wild Swim : The deep dive companion to the hit TV series
by Jules Wilson Nimmo, Greg Hemphill
Hardback
This companion to the popular Scottish television series brings together the charm, humour and genuine enthusiasm of presenters Jules Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill as they explore Scotland's wild swimming locations. More than just a location guide, it combines practical swimming information with personal reflections, behind-the-scenes stories from filming, and beautiful photography that captures both the landscapes and the joy of cold water immersion. The book works perfectly for those who loved the TV series and want to follow in their footsteps, but also stands alone as an engaging, personality-driven guide to Scottish swimming spots. It's as much about the experience and community of wild swimming as the locations themselves.
4
Wild Swimming Walks West Wales : 28 Coast, River & Waterfall Days out in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire (Travel Guide)
by Nia Lloyd Knott
Paperback
Nia Lloyd Knott's guide offers 28 complete day-out routes combining scenic walks with wild swimming destinations across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Each route includes detailed walking directions, OS maps, swimming spot descriptions, and practical information about facilities and access. The combination format is perfect for families, groups with mixed swimming enthusiasm, or anyone who wants a full day's adventure rather than just a quick dip. West Wales offers spectacular coastal scenery, dramatic waterfalls and peaceful river pools, and this guide unlocks them all with clear, confident local knowledge. Ideal for holiday planning or for locals wanting structured exploration of their region's finest swim-and-walk combinations.
5
Wild Swimming Walks Yorkshire : 28 Waterfall, River and Coastal Days out in the Dales and Moors (Travel Guide)
by Sarah Banks
Paperback
Sarah Banks provides Yorkshire swimmers with 28 carefully planned routes that combine walking through the region's spectacular Dales and Moors with swims in waterfalls, rivers and coastal spots. The guide recognises that Yorkshire's landscape is particularly suited to this combination—dramatic scenery, accessible walking trails, and abundant water features create perfect swim-walk days out. Each route includes clear directions, parking information, difficulty ratings, and detailed descriptions of swimming locations including depth and access points. This book is excellent for beginners who want gentle introductions to wild swimming as part of a broader countryside experience, and for families seeking adventurous but manageable day trips throughout Yorkshire's varied landscapes.
6
Wild Swimming Walks Bristol & Bath : 28 River, Lake and Waterfall Days out in Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (Travel Guide)
by Georgie Duckworth
Paperback
Georgie Duckworth's guide covers the surprisingly swim-rich region around Bristol and Bath, taking in Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The 28 routes reveal that this accessible, populous region offers excellent wild swimming opportunities from river dips to waterfall pools and even some coastal spots. Each walk-and-swim combination is clearly described with maps, directions, and practical information about facilities and refreshments nearby. The guide is particularly valuable for residents of the South West and South Wales who want regular swimming adventures close to home, and for visitors to Bath or Bristol seeking to explore beyond the cities. The regional focus means genuinely useful local detail rather than superficial coverage.
7
Take Me to the River : A selection of joyful, immersive and life-affirming writing about wild swimming
by Vicky Allan, Jackie Kemp
Hardback
Rather than a traditional guidebook, this anthology edited by Vicky Allan and Jackie Kemp collects essays, reflections and stories about wild swimming from various writers. The focus is on the transformative, meditative and community aspects of swimming in natural waters rather than specific locations. Essays explore why people are drawn to cold water, what happens mentally and physically during a swim, and the culture that's grown around outdoor swimming in Britain. This book is perfect for readers who've already discovered wild swimming and want to explore its deeper meanings, or for those curious about why the movement has captured so many hearts. It's inspirational reading that celebrates swimming as much more than just exercise.
8
The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming : Reflections for Zen Seekers
by Tessa Wardley
Paperback
Tessa Wardley's book approaches wild swimming through a mindfulness and contemplative lens, exploring how immersion in natural water can become a meditative practice. Rather than focusing on locations or physical challenge, Wardley examines the mental and spiritual dimensions of swimming outdoors—the presence required, the connection with nature, and the peace found in cold water. The book includes reflections, practical mindfulness exercises adapted for swimming, and philosophical explorations of what draws people to this practice. It's ideal for readers interested in wild swimming as a wellness practice, those seeking deeper meaning in their outdoor activities, or anyone curious about the intersection of mindfulness and nature connection. Less a guidebook, more a companion for thoughtful swimmers.
9
Snorkelling Britain : 100 Wild Swimming Adventures for Marine Explorers in Scotland, England and Wales (Travel Guide)
by Emma Taylor
Paperback
Emma Taylor's unique guide recognises that wild swimming can be enhanced dramatically with a snorkel and mask, opening up an entirely different perspective on Britain's marine environments. Covering 100 locations across Scotland, England and Wales, the book focuses on spots where underwater visibility and marine life make snorkelling particularly rewarding—coastal areas, clear rivers, and lakes with interesting submerged features. Each entry includes practical information about what you might see underwater, best conditions, and access details. This guide is perfect for confident swimmers who want to add an exploratory dimension to their swimming, wildlife enthusiasts interested in Britain's underwater ecosystems, or experienced snorkellers looking for new UK locations. It opens up a whole new way of experiencing wild swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Wild Swimming Walks Yorkshire or similar regional walk-and-swim guides are excellent for beginners, as they combine accessible locations with full walking routes and clear directions. For broader coverage with carefully selected safer spots, Wild Swimming Britain marks difficulty levels and provides comprehensive safety information for each location.
Wild Swimming Britain by Daniel Start is the definitive national guide, featuring 1,000 locations across Scotland, England and Wales. It's beautifully photographed and organised by region, making it the go-to resource for serious wild swimmers planning trips across the country.
Yes, Blue Scotland by Mollie Hughes is an excellent dedicated guide to Scotland's wild waters, covering lochs, rivers, and coastal spots with detailed access information. For those also interested in exploring Scotland's rivers by kayak or canoe alongside swimming, Paddle Scotland provides complementary water-based adventures.
An Opinionated Guide to Swim London by Joe Minihane is specifically dedicated to swimming locations in and around the capital, including lidos, ponds and Thames swimming spots. It's perfect for city dwellers who want accessible swimming without travelling to the countryside.
The Wild Swimming Walks series is specifically designed for this purpose, with regional titles like Wild Swimming Walks West Wales, Wild Swimming Walks Bristol & Bath, and Wild Swimming Walks Yorkshire. Each features around 28 full day-out routes that combine scenic walks with swimming destinations, complete with maps and detailed directions.