Dip your toes

The joys of wild swimming and wonderful waterside walks in the West Country are explored in a new book by Georgie Duckworth - LEWIS CLARKE caught up with the author to find why she wrote it

- LEWIS CLARKE

THERE'S something about slipping into cool, fresh water that quiets the mind and invigorates the body.

Whether it’s a slow drift downriver, a bracing dip in a weir pool, or a plunge into a secret lake, wild swimming has an undeniable magic.

And yet, for years, Georgie Duckworth thought the best wild swimming spots were far from home, hidden away in the wilds of Scotland, or the Lake District.

"I admit I'd been guilty of feeling that the best wild swimming was to be enjoyed while on holiday across the rest of the UK - the Lakes, Scotland... and that the swimming closer to home was good, but not magnificent. How wrong I was!" she recalls.

Georgie's new book, Wild Swimming Walks: Bristol & Bath, is a celebration of the region's rivers, lakes and waterfalls, inviting adventurers of all levels to discover the best of the West Country's waters. Packed with 28 meticulously planned walks, the book is as much about the journey as the swim itself, guiding readers through stunning landscapes, past ancient ruins, and into the heart of a vibrant outdoor swimming community.