There’s nothing more refreshing and thrilling than taking a dip in the cold British waters. Boosting both physical and mental health, wild swimming has many benefits for you to take advantage of. In the county of Hertfordshire, just north of London, there are a range of locations for you to make the most of these wild swimming benefits this summer. Here we’ve created a list of the best Hertfordshire swim locations for you to find your next favourite spot.
Although wild swimming has great benefits, it also comes with its risks. Reduce these risks and enjoy your swim safely by ensuring you’re aware of the dangers and safety advice for swimming in open water.
H2Open Water Swimming at Westmill Farm
- Location: Ware
- Price: £6.50
- Swim course length: 50m & 340m
- Supervised?: Yes
- Requirements: Bright coloured swim hat & wetsuit (in water temperatures below 12°C)
At Westmill Farm, you can have fun at the inflatable aqua park as well as taking part in a range of water sports including open water swimming. To swim here you’ll need to buy a RFID wristband to wear while you’re swimming. This is a one-off cost of £7.50 with swim sessions costing £6.50.
Although an induction isn’t needed to swim here, group and 1-2-1 coaching sessions are available to improve your swimming technique and confidence. If you’re already confident in the water, you can go straight into swimming the 50m sprint or the 340m loop under the supervision of the RLSS qualified staff.
Rredricks Lakes
- Location: Sawbridgeworth
- Price: £6-8.50
- Swim course length: 750m
- Requirements: Bright coloured swim hat & a wetsuit or a tow float/bag
On the eastern border of Hertfordshire with Essex is Redricks Lakes. With facilities like toilets, showers, and a cafe, as well as a useful sandy beach that gently slopes into the lake, Redricks Lakes is a great swim location from novices to experienced wild swimmers. However, novices will need to undertake an induction before being able to swim the 750m circuit. Further coaching sessions are also available.
One of the great things about this swim spot is that there is a little island in the middle of the lake that swimmers can stop on for a rest. If this sounds like your kind of place, you can have a taster swim here for £8.50. Then, if you love it as much as we do, you can become a member and swim for just £6 a session.
Stanborough Park
- Location: Welwyn Garden City
- Price: £7.50
- Swim course length: 400m
- Requirements: Bright coloured swim hat & a wetsuit or a tow float/bag
On the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City is Stanborough Park with 2 lakes covering 126 acres. The Stanborough Park Watersports Centre is located on the south lake and has a 400m swim circuit for open water swimming. The centre also has changing rooms and showers, convenient for drying off after your swim before heading off to the park cafe for a warming drink.
Hertz Young Mariners Base
- Location: Cheshunt
- Price: £8
- Supervised?: Yes
- Requirements: Bright coloured swim hat
Adult swim sessions at Hertz Young Mariners Base run all year round, costing £8 a swim. If you’re wanting to swim in the winter, we strongly recommend starting in the summer and getting used to wild swimming and the cold temperatures before trying out the even colder winter water temperatures. This venue also strongly recommends undertaking their cold water swimming induction for swimming in water under 15°C if you’re going to swim here (or in any open water) in the winter.
As well as the cold water induction course, Hertz Young Mariners Base also offers a range of other swimming courses including a general wild swimming induction and a course to improve your swimming technique. All you need to do now is grab your swim cap, get in the water, enjoy your swim, and warm up with a nice hot drink from the cafe afterwards.
Hartham Common
- Location: Hertford
- Supervised?: No
At the north-east corner of Hartham Common Park, where the River Beane flows into the River Lea, is a fantastic river swimming spot. With the merger of the rivers pinpointing a great starting point, you have a range of directions to swim in. One option is to swim past the houseboats up to Hertford Lock. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, another option is to swim up the River Beane against the strong current. Or if you’d rather enjoy a leisurely swim, we recommend swimming down the River Lea towards Ware.