By: Blonde Two
Wild swimming in Cornwall
As you know I love outdoor wild swimming as much as I love walking. Which is probably why some of my favourite outdoor days have been ones that include a bit (or sometimes a lot) of both). Living in Devon it’s easy for me to explore this fair county’s swimming opportunities on foot. We have all of Dartmoor and Exmoor to choose from as well as a wonderful coastline. But like everybody else this year, I am very much looking forward to venturing further afield, perhaps even as far as… Cornwall.
Which is why I was so pleased when I received a copy of Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce’s new outdoor swimming guide, Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall. My Dad lives in Cornwall so I know some of the areas already but I am pleased to say that Matt and Sophie have now given me the courage to explore further (Dad is great at holding towels), hopefully with my sister, and try out a few more swims near him.
Wild swimming walks
This book is full of choices. Whether you want to walk six miles or three, bathe in quarry depths, explore sandy rock caves, or even just wander up a river before floating back down it, Sophie and Matt have found the perfect locations for you to fulfil your whim. More importantly perhaps, with consultation and careful thought, they have done this in a manner that has very much taken into account the local environment and sensitivities.
Walking to your outdoor swimming location is one of the best ways to help look after it. And let’s face it, Cornwall has some of the best coastal walking there is (after Devon of course). If you want to start planning for summer days filled with sunny cliff tops and warm sand, this is the book for you. It would also suit well if you wanted to take part in any of the below activities:
- Pretend to be a pirate around Frenchman’s Creek
- Bump into Ross Poldark at Charlestown Harbour
- River swoosh under the famous Calstock Viaduct
Even better news is that the walks in this book are so lovely in their own right that it won’t take much to persuade the rest of the family to join you on your mini-adventure. Have fun! I know I am planning to!
Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall by Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce is published by Wild Things Publishing and is available for £14.99 online and at all good bookshops.
