The “wild swimming” trend — aka open-water swimming, or taking dips in lakes, rivers, streams or even the sea — isn't exactly new. Still, it has been increasing in popularity over the past decade, ...

The water may be cold but the health benefits keep these daring divers coming back. Marianne Clark, a fitness and endurance coach, is a member of the oldest swimming club in Britain, located in ...

Go jump in the lake. A bracing swim in the great outdoors could be just the thing to help you cope with your anxiety, says one expert with a pondload of first-hand experience. Therapist Jenny Favell, ...

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but more and more Brits are swapping chlorinated indoor pools for the exhilarating, mind-altering thrill of a bracing cold-water dip. Whether you prefer to stay ...

Sardinia might be famed for its sun-drenched beaches, but ask around and locals will nudge you towards wilder corners. These are the sort of places where turquoise rivers tumble through gorges and ...

It started with a cold-water plunge, and now outdoor, natural swimming is an obsession of mine. With 15,000 lakes and a robust water-quality testing system, Wisconsin is great for wild swimming. It ...

There’s a moment at the start of each summer when I fully immerse myself in water at one of my favorite swimming holes. I feel such utter joy that it makes me laugh out loud. It’s a sensation that’s ...

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There’s no better way to immerse yourself in nature than by going wild swimming. Every spot tells its own story: tidal pools fed by ...