Thanks for the tip! J.E. Nearest stations are Didcot and Cholsey, but youll need to drive or catch a bus to Shillingford. And its my new favourite place to swim. 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. 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. 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. SK 243 753. It starts at Hertford Lock in Hartham Common, not far from where the above photo was taken. Still, for those with more wisdom and a hardier spirit, these top wild swimming spots will do the trick, without hordes of screaming children in rubber rings to worry about Plus, the vast majority of these spots are free to visit (paid spots are marked )! Find out more about Fairlands Valley Park swimming. You can reply with the word STOP at any time. Children are welcome to swim at Redricks accompanied by an adult. Theres also a decent playground and a splash park for children. These are a good idea if youre swimming in particularly cold water. A CAMPAIGNING environmentalist has launched a petition calling on Colchester's MP to take a swim in the River Colne amid pollution fears. Brightlingsea is a day sail from most ports on the Thames Estuary and popular with dinghy sailors. 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The source streams are long, multi-source, in final, northern stages, partly underground tributaries: a north-eastern, which can be considered the upper Colne; and the Mimmshall Brook. The team has launched a buy-a-tile campaign, and plans to open the pool in 2017 - if funds for the $15m (8.9m) construction cost can be raised in time. It's a beautiful area for a walk so go get exploring! Im a bit of a fair-weather swimmer, but it doesnt stop me enjoying an al fresco dip. Something went wrong, please try again later. Among early proposals to link the river to London was one in 1641 by Sir Edward Forde for a navigable canal, the main purpose of which seems to have been the supply of clean water, and two in 1766, for canals from Marylebone to the river at Uxbridge and another from Marylebone to West Drayton. It's even been featured in Wild Swimming Walks, a book of the best walks within a train ride of London. 'In the last three years, people have regularly reported otters fishing and swimming in the River Colne right in Colchester town centre, especially at Castle Park - a popular public area with a heavily managed section of river. From there, theres plenty to see depending how far you want to explore - from a more leisurely return past the Aquadrome, spotting the narrow boats and ending back in the town centre, or further down towards Denham Country Park if youre a serious walker. Were going to say yes, because this bucolic new spot is utterly gorgeous. If you live in or near London and think your chances of going wild swimming near where you live are minimal, then think again as there are still plenty of places on your doorstep where you can dive in outdoors. Theres also stand up paddle boarding, sailing and other water-based activities at Stanborough and an inflatable assault course during the summer months. It is not a tributary of any other river, instead having an estuary that joins the sea near Brightlingsea. Please do not swim here but go to the public land in Hartham. Follow this path until you reach the River Colne, then take a path to the left (signed to Springwell and Inn Lakes) alongside the river, with Stocker's Lake on your left. With old bridges and mills dotting the water, its all very scenic too. From the bridge, just before a zebra crossing, take steps on the left down to the canal towpath. The villages of Colney Heath east of St Albans, London Colney south of St Albans, Colney Street (almost wholly a large business park) north of Radlett and Colnbrook between Slough and Heathrow take their name from the river. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. There has been a bit of talk about the dubious water quality at the swimming lake but it has been tested and deemed safe there have also been some positive reports in the local open water swimming community. Some of my posts contain affiliate links. Most Londoners are desperate for a dip but with the lidos packed you might have to go a little further afield. The wild swimming spot is where the River Beane flows into the Lea, not far from Hertford lock. It can cause severe itching so dont get in the water if you see it. Once a Georgian folly, the swimming lake has been lovingly restored over the past couple of years, and now welcomes bathers and watersports enthusiasts to have a paddle. The Colne's drainage basin extends almost as far north again as its northern limit the inflowing Gade, Ver and Misbourne extend well into the Chilterns. Walk: From Kirby Cross train station head to Frinton and walk around 5 miles along the coast towards Walton on the Naze, from where you can get a return train. Hi, I'm Annabel. Please do read the safety tips for outdoor swimming provided by this important charity. We've rounded up five spots in Hertfordshire where you can enjoy open water swimming across the county. Im trying to begin a similar habit by swimming at my local lido in Ware as well as heading down to the Beane and Lea Rivers for a wild swim. So, rivers are where youll get that authentic wild swim experience in Hertfordshire its just you and the water (and possibly a few other hardy souls). There are toilets and showers and a caf serving hot drinks and snacks. EIGHT OF THE BEST PLACES TO GO WILD SWIMMING NEAR LONDON HAMPSTEAD PONDS, North London Have a cooling dip while surrounded with nature, Sign up to our daily email newsletter for all the latest news from across the country as well as breaking news delivered direct to your inbox. Activists, including Extinction Rebellion Colchester,. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. It was modified in the 20th century when parapets and railings were added. The lido in Hitchin, opened in 1938, is part of the towns main leisure centre where youll also find an indoor pool and other sporting facilities. If youre interested in wild swimming in the Beane or the Lea, theres a really friendly community of swimmers on the HOWLS Facebook page. This will help to prevent infection from any invisible nasties in the water. Redricks Lake has drawn people in from London just to swim in the picturesque surroundings. It climbs up through some trees then along the edge of a golf course before gradually dropping down to a minor road. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. This means that the rivers people use to swim, paddle catch and play could be severely polluted, without people even knowing it. Its also one of Surreys best-known skinny dipping spots, so you may want to watch where you look. There are two experiences on offer here as the name suggests you can do open water swimming in one of the lakes at Westmill Farm. Slavin has written in about swimming in the River Colne as a child. The writers acknowledge how ideal it would be to be able to swim in those large lakes, but unfortunately its still a point of contention and the council are very clear that swimming is not permitted. Heading back up the Thames towards fair London town, a trio of wild swimming spots emerge. Instead, the experts recommend walking along the Grand Union canal, before then walking up between Stockers Lake and Bury Lake to join the River Colne. Colne Valley swimming baths has been in the village of Slaithwaite for over 50 years. One of the few non-London swim spots accessible via the tube, while you might not be far from civilisation you'll certainly feel a million miles away. Further down there is a place below a weir that might be suitable but, being close to a car park, it is rather public. Harlow Mills is a 40 minute train from Liverpool Street and the Stort is five minutes walk from there. This is the place where a dip in the Colne is possible. (HOWLS stands for Herts Open Water and Lido Swimmers). Another handily-located spot, although youll have to pay for a splashabout here, since its run by Better Leisure. It began to offer open water swimming again from March 29. More information can be found on their Facebook page here. It's also a fantastic opportunity to explore the countryside and enjoy the sunshine. Theres a youth hostel and a caf close by. Find out more about Herts Young Mariners Base here, *** open water swimming is no longer available at Fairlands Valley in Stevenage ***. 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. The pool is part of the main Hemel sports complex which also has indoor swimming pools. Park in the Car Park at SK 258 685 and cross the road and follow the path down to the river, it's deepest just up from the weir at SK 259 690. The Colne River is one of the best locations for wild swimming in the UK! The walk suggested by Margaret Dickinson and Liz Valentine begins and ends at the London Underground station, so locals can just join wherever is best as it passes St Marys Church, Bury Lake and the Rickmansworth Aquadrome. Let me know in the comments below. 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