Suffolk &amp; Cambs

<p>Or join a group of thebluetits.co who have found great places to swim</p>


<p>Go for it! I have to admit I&#8217;ve bought a Roxy wetsuit though so I can still swim during the winter &#8211; I&#8217;m not brave enough to do cold, wild swimming without a suit!</p>


<p>I would love to do some open water swimming &#8220;I think&#8221; I just need a nudge</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cambridgeshire">CAMBRIDGESHIRE</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waresley-park-estate-cambs">Waresley Park Estate, Cambs </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1002" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/waresley-park-estate-wild-swimming-.jpg" alt="person wild swimming in a lake in cambridgeshire " class="wp-image-40606" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/waresley-park-estate-wild-swimming-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/waresley-park-estate-wild-swimming--800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/waresley-park-estate-wild-swimming--1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/waresley-park-estate-wild-swimming--400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/waresley-park-estate-cambridgeshire/">Waresley Park Estate</a> is a stunning wedding venue, big house rental and events setting in west Cambs. There are loads of exciting new initiatives happening here, including the opening of their wild swimming sessions in a gorgeous private lake, with tickets available to purchase for <a href="https://waresleyparkestate.co.uk/whats-on">swims every Thursday morning</a>. With a life guard on site it’s an ideal experience for anyone who wants to reconnect with nature and exercise in the wild – solo swimmers, couples or families.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gunwade-lake-at-nene-park-peterborough">Gunwade Lake at Nene Park, Peterborough </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/Nene-park-10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-40435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/Nene-park-10.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/Nene-park-10-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/Nene-park-10-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/Nene-park-10-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Ferry Meadows at Nene Park Estate is a watersports heaven and alongside kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and hiring pedalos you can enjoy a wild swimming course at the picturesque <a href="https://www.nenepark.org.uk/open-water-swimming">Gunwade Lake</a>. Regular weekly sessions are held every Thursday evening between May and September from 5:30pm to 7pm and there&#8217;s a 400m rectangular circuit marked out by four yellow buoys to make it safe and easy to do. As with all lakes keep an eye out for announcements about the water quality as occasionally the lake is shut to swimmers if there&#8217;s an issue like blue-green algae bloom.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-houghton-mill-near-st-ives"><strong>Houghton Mill</strong>, near St Ives </h3>



<p>The <a href="http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/map/houghton-mill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mill Pond by the Houghton Mill NT</a> is an idyllic stretch of river flowing through traditional water meadows though we wouldn’t recommend going in if the water mill is working (not all that often, don&#8217;t worry). It’s a great spot for launching a kayak or canoe, if you prefer to stay dry and there’s a handy car park nearby.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grantchester-meadows-cambridge">Grantchester Meadows, Cambridge </h3>



<p>Grantchester Meadows isn’t just for a leisurely stroll after filling your boots at The Orchard Tea Rooms or enjoying a roast dinner at one of the many gorgeous pubs (The Rupert Brooke being our top pick). The deep banks mean strong swimmers can dive in, but being a river there’s some mud and weeds to contend with. But the lure of those roasties ought to keep you going!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milton-country-park-milton">Milton Country Park, Milton </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/07/milton-country-park.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/07/milton-country-park.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/07/milton-country-park-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/07/milton-country-park-720x405.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/07/milton-country-park-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Open water session are available at Milton Country Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>You can swim in Todd&#8217;s Pit, a former chalk pit at Milton Country Park <a aria-label="https://www.miltoncountrypark.org (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.miltoncountrypark.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milton Country Park</a>, which has crystal  clear waters and isn&#8217;t scarily deep so it&#8217;s a good place to start out on your wild swimming journey. Plus the water is regularly tested and is &#8220;excellent&#8221; quality so you can be sure you&#8217;re not picking up any nasties. You have to book an organised session here, so don&#8217;t just pitch up with your wetsuit! </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wyboston-lakes-near-st-neots">Wyboston Lakes, near St Neots</h3>



<p>You can get some pro coaching in wild swimming at <a href="https://rideleisure.co.uk/open-water-swimming/">Ride Leisure at Wyboston Lakes</a>. There are ex athletes and triathletes on hand to guide you in the best ways to open water swim and the lake is a clean and idyllic place to learn or take your swimming to the next level. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suffolk">SUFFOLK</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fritton-lake-suffolk-norfolk-border">Fritton Lake, Suffolk/ Norfolk border </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="527" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/Wildswim_6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/Wildswim_6.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/Wildswim_6-800x468.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/Wildswim_6-400x234.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/Wildswim_6-897x525.jpg 897w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <strong>©</strong>Fritton Lake </figcaption></figure>



<p>Who needs Soho Farmhouse when you&#8217;ve got this sustainable, must-join private members club on your doorstep? Straddling the border with Norfolk at Fritton and Someleyton, <a href="https://www.frittonlake.co.uk">Fritton Lake</a> has a collection of high end holiday lodges around the gin-clear waters of a beautiful lake. If you stay here (or buy a membership) you can enjoy all sorts of activities too, including open water swimming. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-ouse-river-at-santon-downham-near-brandon"><strong>Little Ouse River at Santon Downham, near Brandon</strong></h3>



<p>This little village on the Norfolk border is one of the prettiest places in Suffolk. Nestled in Thetford Forest and along the Little Ouse River, there are miles of Forestry Commission maintained walking, cycling and horse riding routes to enjoy. If you park at St Helen&#8217;s Picnic Site you&#8217;ll be able to directly access the river from a little beach area and head off for a wild swim.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dedham-and-flatford-on-the-river-stour"><strong>Dedham and Flatford on the River Stour</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/2-2.png" alt="wild swimming in the river stour essex and suffolk" class="wp-image-40609" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/2-2.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/2-2-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/2-2-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/2-2-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Want to swim in the most picturesque of places? How about a dip in Constable Country&#8217;s River Stour at Dedham and Flatford. Take the plunge in the two-metre deep river pools near Fen Bridge. Just watch out for the weeds and rowing boats that are always bobbing past &#8211; or you can always hire one if you want to play on the water in it <em>Bridget Jones</em> style instead!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-river-waveney-at-outney-common-bungay"><strong>The River Waveney at Outney Common, Bungay</strong></h3>



<p>There&#8217;s a 3km stretch of idyllic river for open water swimming in the River Waveney at Outney Common. An early pioneer of wild swimming said this was his favourite stretch of river to swim in in the entire country! </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walberswick-beach-at-the-mouth-of-the-river-blyth"><strong>Walberswick Beach at the mouth of the River Blyth </strong></h3>



<p>Totally scenic place to swim with wild, marram-grass covered dunes as your backdrop. Definitely an Insta-worthy dip and when you&#8217;re finished and craving carbs, nip into Walberswick village to pick up some finger-licking good halloumi fries from <a aria-label="https://www.anchoratwalberswick.com/food-1 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.anchoratwalberswick.com/food-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anchor.</a></p>



<p><em>PS – The best open water swimming spots are often word-of-mouth affairs, so do pop a note in the comment box below if we’ve missed anywhere good near you.</em></p>


Fresh! 11 wild swimming spots in Suffolk and Cambs

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