There are several spots for a dip in the River Wey and the Wey Navigation including a meadow-lined stretch behind the Manor Inn pub in Godalming and sandy beaches that slope down into the water at Shalford. Digging for gravel and clay along its lower course near Rickmansworth has created a belt of flooded pits below the water table, as established lakes, many of which are well-adapted habitats for wildlife, protected as nature reserves. Whilst nearby Cambridge offers you the chance to take a punt on the River Cam, I reckon youd be just as happy taking a punt on a swim. 10 January 2023. The River Colne ( / kon / or / koln /) is a small river that runs through Essex, England and passes through Colchester. If you dont want to spend a fortune on wetsuits for your family kids grow out of them so quickly check on local Facebook groups or Ebay for second hand wetsuits. Walk: A gentle 6 mile circular walk easily reached from London (it starts and ends at Rickmansworth Underground station) yet with a truly rural feel. Ill update this article once Ive had a chance to explore the stretch in question (near Bury Lake). Nearby Stocker's Lake is home to many waterfowl, especially during the winter months. Its a lovely swimming pool with a great community of regulars. He or she writes: "In the 1920s living near Bushey Mill Lane, we bathed in the River Colne by the arches when very young, and managed a few strokes in the deeper spots. If youre doing proper wild swimming in Hertfordshire or anywhere else, its a good idea to check locally in case water quality has been compromised. It's even been featured in Wild Swimming Walks, a. Click here to read my article about places to visit in Hertfordshire. Go downstream from the town hall on the open stretch of river and if you keep swimming you can access a secretive woodland wild lake. Added bonus of having a bridge to jump off. February 9, 2023 6:32 pm (Updated February 11, 2023 11:14 am) Cold water swimming in Hertfordshire attracts plenty of hardy souls. The water is surrounded by trees and is located next to the nature reserve, so its easy to forget youre within a short walk of the town centre and it feels more secluded than many of the spots elsewhere. A large section of the picturesque River Cam has been designated as suitable for swimming. It's 25 minutes walk from the nearest station of Egham, which is just over half an hour train from Waterloo. Wraysbury station is surrounded by a choice of river and lakes to swim in. As with Hitchin, the heated outdoor pool in Letchworth is 50 metres in length. It began to offer open water swimming again from March 29. Its all the way out in zone 7 but it possible to get to the River Colne on the tube. Save 64% off the shop price and pay just 2 per issue! The Watford Observer has teamed up with Watford Museum and its curator Sarah Priestley to take a journey back to the town's past through items or Walk past it then turn right onto the FP between Bury Lake on your right and Stocker's Lake on your left. A series of flooded gravel pits (originally dug out to provide stone for the roads and buildings of London) are eye-catching spots, but youre not technically allowed to swim in them the neighbouring River Colne is the spot of choice. I have updated the article. 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Heading back up the Thames towards fair London town, a trio of wild swimming spots emerge. Further down there is a place below a weir that might be suitable but, being close to a car park, it is rather public. We did not see a 'No swimming' sign, but there was no barrier separating a swimming area from boats as there used to be in the days when it was a recognised bathing spot. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Thames winds along the west of the meadow and the open space lends itself to incredible skies. It was moved from its original position to the other side of the river in 1984 when it was repaired by Watford Borough Council. 4.00pm - 6.45pm Public Swim/Private Lessons 6.45pm - 9.00pm Colne Swimming Club: Tuesday 9.00am -11.30am School Swimming 12.00pm -1.00pm Lunchtime Adults Only Swim 1.15pm - 3.30pm School Swimming 4.00pm - 7.00pm Public Swimming/Private lessons 7.00pm - 8.00pm Swim Fit/ Adult Lesson 8.00pm - 9.30pm Moon Light Dip Adults Only Swim Wednesday Read my article about places to visit in Hertfordshire. And its my new favourite place to swim. Finding an access spot will require a bit of perseverance but it'll pay off. If you're longing to escape to the countryside but don't want to travel too far, the River Colne awaits. No charge there. There are toilets and showers and a caf serving hot drinks and snacks. Sign up to the HertsLive newsletter below for the latest news straight to your inbox: If you want to stay in the know with all the latest news, reviews and features from HertsLive then you can sign up to our daily newsletter email. Swim: in the River Colne, just after the footpath from Bury Lake reaches the river. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We swam all year round the water was toasty warm and it was a highlight of my week. Route reproduced with kind permission from Wild Swimming Walks, book available now for only 14.99 from wildthingspublishing.com. It's a beautiful area for a walk so go get exploring! Swim: Along the shore the swimming is exceptional in the North Sea. However it's important to check where you go swimming, and you can't simply jump in anywhere. Member. Although this walk is within the M25, much of it feels like deep countryside. Its a brilliant organisation offering a range of water sports and some excellent outdoor activities for young people including climbing, archery and bushcrafts. It is believed to be a mainly man-made anabranch north of the confluence with the River Pinn to feed watermills in the Parish of Hillingdon. It dates from 1774 and is called Telford's Bridge, although it is not thought to have been designed by Thomas Telford. For those wanting a taster session, Swing England are also running an induction led by qualified coaches here, between 8.30am and 10.30am on May 9. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. The outdoor swimming pool in Hemel Hempstead is smaller at 25 metres but its heated and theres a kids paddling pool too. Unfortunately there are lots of nasty things in our UK waters. If you fancy seeing whats going on beneath the surface, a pair of goggles is essential. A stone's throw from Guildford, this sandy stretch of river is slow-moving and shallow, making it a fine spot for wild swimming newbies. Born from a love of unlocking hidden gems in a big city, London on the Inside connects people to local and global brands, discoveries and experiences. It is situated between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, at the mouth of the River Colne, on Brightlingsea Creek. Colne Valley regional park. Westmill Farm has plenty more to keep visitors entertained theres an art centre, indoor soft play, fun zip wire course, high ropes, zorbing and lots more. Established in 1997 HobieSwim is Long Island's premier swim provider. Wild Swimming Walks' Margaret Dickinson, and Liz Valentine plot a gentle walk easily reached from London yet with a truly rural feel, which includes a swim in the River Colne. Every possibility of skinny-dip. Shallow swallow holes of the two brooks are in North Mymms' Water End, centred on so-named combined surface flow. 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