Wild swimming on a cold autumn afternoon in November. This Wild Swimming safety guide is essential reading for all those looking to take the freshwater plunge for the very first time. Wild swimming in South Devon offers something for everyone – the landscape is rich and varied, and boasts a wealth of rivers and rapids, meandering estuaries, open sea, secluded coves and even family-friendly plunge pools to explore. The Teign then flows into three square, stone, Venetian plunge pools. It also has an amazing beachside cafe where you can enjoy perfect peace. The cove is well protected and calm and provides fantastic swimming conditions, especially for those who are new to wild swimming. The caves gained their nickname from Charles Kingsley, author of 'The Water Babies' who described the caves as: “A labyrinth of double and triple caves like a Hindu temple." Alternatively, cross by ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth and walk south to the Hipples, a magical part of the sand bar exposed at low spring tides, then swim up past Mill Bay, back to East Portlemouth. The pool is surrounded by ancient willow trees. A fun way to start this picturesque mini-adventure is by jumping on board the restored steam train at Littlehempston station in Totnes and chugging your way up to Staverton station, around the Dartington Estate. And best of all? The grass bank also provides the perfect picnic pitch alongside the shallow leaps making it the perfect place for a wild family swim. Hidden away on the edge of Exmoor, on the north coast of Devon between Watermouth and Combe Martin, you’ll find two enchanting secret swimming beaches at Broadsands. Our trips are based on a lot of swimming in and around the South West. Visitors also come from miles around to visit the famous 'surf church' Red Barn pub and restaurant. (drag race, rally cross, oval track) - … Here is my guide to some of the best wild swimming spots in South Devon. The 75 metre pool makes a perfect wild swimming spot, shaded by woodland and with a handy metal jetty to enter the water. Watersports are a huge draw to Woolacombe, including surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and paragliding. The water is shallow, roughly 1.5m deep at its deepest. The walk down to the lighthouse is like walking over the spiny tail of some gargantuan prehistoric beast, and indeed the name 'start' derives from the Anglo-Saxon term 'steort' meaning 'tail'. Just below the weir is a series of pools – Salmon Leaps – built by castle Drogo’s original owner, Julius Drewe, to assist the upward migration of salmon, which doubles as a natural whirlpool for wild swimmers. Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury, authors of new book Wild Swimming Walks: Dartmoor and South Devon, share their favourite walks with a wild swim spot on the south Devon coast CELLAR BEACH CIRCULAR This is a simply gorgeous walk and swim, taking in huge and rugged cliffs, with vertiginous and far-reaching views, as well as the softer scenery of the Yealm estuary. Carry on further over a bridge made from two old railway sleepers and onto a bench near a tree in the middle of the path. Looking for today's top stories in one place? The car park at Start Point must be a contender for one of the best views of any car park in the UK, with spectacular views across to Beesands and the ruined village at Hallsands. The walk continues into the village of Staverton, where you'll pass St Paul de Leon Church and The Court Room, before enjoying a well-deserved refreshment stop at the Sea Trout Inn. There are also outdoor pools at Bovey Tracey and Buckfastleigh. You can then wait for the train on to Buckfastleigh, fulfilling all those Railway Children fantasies. Find local news and events in your area, water campaigns that might interest you or join a group or a meeting of like-minded people. Discover the best wild swim locations in Devon and Dartmoor, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. Chagford Swimming Pool (Outdoor). Wild swimming can take place anywhere there is (safe) outside water. Sumptuous breakfasts. A far cry from swimming countless lengths in a pool, swimming outdoors offers the chance to become part of your environment by literally immersing yourself in it. Sign up for our newsletter here. Wild swimming is a great way to get out into the fresh air and enjoy some exericise. The activity has grown in popularity in recent years as more and more discover the numerous health benefits, both physically and mentally, of spending time in natural bodies of water and the effects this can have on well-being. But more recently the beauty spot was turned into a 'pop-up lido' for a group of Devon's hardy wild swimmers complete with an art installation consisting of a portable lifeguard's chair. Location – French Weir Park, Taunton (by the COACH building) Contact – Sian Kelly/Sue Shelbourne/Joanne Robertson Here’s our list of our favourite wild swim spots in beautiful county Devon… Remember that a wild swim doesn’t come without its dangers. For those who are nervous about the prospects of wild swimming, Anstey's Cove also provide coasteering experiences so that you can get to grips with an instructor. Watersmeet is a well-known area of gorgeous woodland and river walks which is part of the National Trust. Outdoor pool. It's a much shorter walk back up to the car park through some beautiful fields. Everything else Two Blondes Walking South West Dartmoor. It’s easy to lose track of time and distance when the view above and below the surface constantly changes. Not far from the picturesque village of Ottery St Mary, there is easy access to the River Otter. Near Ottery St Mary you can easily access the river from a sunny field which is excellent for sunbathing and picnics. And with its glorious three-miles stretch of sand in North Devon it's a perfect spot to find out if wild swimming is for you. For the more adventurous, persuade a friend with a boat to escort you from Starehole Bay to North Sands (just south of Salcombe) on an incoming tide. Park at Bantham (at the estuary mouth just north of Thurlestone), then walk anticlockwise around the ‘ham’ and take the first path to the pink thatched boat-house and slipway. It's out of the wind, tucked under the woody cliffs. Look out for dragonflies and rare water beetles. Join the wild swimming community. Not to be confused with the nearby Meldon Reservoir, where swimming is not permitted, Meldon Lake  is an old limestone quarry, south of Okehampton. The jewel in the crown of Devon’s sea swims has to be Burgh Island. The pool is high up on the moors, so expect to be exposed to the elements, and be prepared for the water to be cold. In south Devon, there is an abundance of estuaries, rivers, hidden bays and outdoor pools to find. Though this is a stretch of the river, it does open out to more of a pool and therefore is usually very still, and relatively safe. There's nearby parking and it's a great place for picnics and ball games with its wide grassy river banks. Relax your mind and soak up the gorgeous surroundings as you take a cooling dip in one of the rivers or in the sea, wild swimming in South Devon is sure to be a hit with everyone. It is too shallow for swimming but it is possible to wallow in the shallows for a natural jacuzzi on warm day. Meadfoot Wild Swimming. The river is shallow and fast-flowing and tumbles its way towards the Tavy in a series of rapids with some calm stretches in between. There are better swimming areas around the confluence itself. The Fingle Bridge Inn started life as a tea shelter founded in 1897 to offer refreshments to fishermen, early tourists and people bringing grain to the mill. With plenty of water ways just waiting to be discovered South Devon is a wild swimmer's dream! London Bridge is a sea swim around the coast for advanced swimmers. Devon is home to some spectacular seas, lakes and rivers, all of which make it a haven for those in search of opportunities for wild swimming. And for those who really feel the cold - or who get addicted and want to swim all year round - a good swimming wetsuit is the answer. The caves are made up of red rock and have an exotic appeal, worth a look to any capable swimmer who enjoys an added adventure. The diversity of seaweeds in such a small patch of seashore is amazing – go back on a low spring tide and carefully walk through the arch to admire the marine life from a different perspective. 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