Wild Swimming

As a middle aged, single mum of a teenager and with a challenging job, wild swimming in Northumberland is my precious time … time to switch off, let go of stress and reset. I love it.

It’s more than just a love of wild swimming, it’s a need … a need for the exhilaration of connecting with nature, the pristine landscapes, and the sense of freedom that comes from immersing myself in the transient beauty of our region's lakes, rivers and coastal waters. 

I’ve been a wild swimmer for years (including during lockdown when it kept me sane and grounded). Embracing the elements and the unspoiled environment gives me profound enjoyment that is now part of a wonderful way of life.

From the beautiful ‘Grotto” swim at Hartburn to the healing waters of the Drakestone lake in Harbottle, there are so many beautiful places to swim in Northumberland. Low Hauxley on a high tide is smooth and gentle, Sugar sands/ Howdiemont in Longhoughton on a mid-tide is stunning . Ladyburn Lake in Druridge Bay Country Park offers the opportunity to swim amongst swans, ducks and the occasional heron or otter. Little shore in Amble is a safe little bay which fills up beautifully an hour before and after high tide. 

All swims are weather dependent and after heavy rain I’m often disappointed to receive a “sewage dump” alert - often this affects the coastal stretch from Alnmouth to Cresswell and can last for days. Until the water companies take effective action to improve this, the Safer Seas & Rivers Service App is great for sewage alerts. (And the Surfline App provides tide information).

Wild swimming is not for the faint hearted. Temperatures can dip to under 5 degrees in the winter which is classed as ice swimming. While invigorating, it’s not sensible to stay in this temperature for longer than 5 - 10 minutes. 

When I first started wild swimming, I swam with groups that I found on Facebook. This gave me advice, tips, life hacks and locations. Now, I swim alone because I need that solitude to quiet my mind, but for anyone starting out on this amazing journey, I would always advise to take if not a fellow swimmer, a “spotter” to watch out for you.

There are many more places to wild swim in Northumberland, but to list them all would take away an essence of your adventure and discovery.

Lyndsay Robinson (guest contributor)