Freshwater swims for families

Long, warm days and summer holidays were made for family fun in the water. But you don’t have to head for the coast – our rivers, lakes and lochs offer exciting adventures close to home. Helen Webster picks her top freshwater swim spots

- Helen Webster

Water has a magical hold over us. While mountains and valleys, trails and woods each offer a breathtaking experience of their own, there is something about water that has an unrivalled ability to calm the soul and ease our minds.

The benefits of wild swimming have been well-reported of late, too, with research telling us that time in blue-green spaces, as well as the effects of immersing our bodies in water, can have a positive effect on our mental and physical health.

Planning a day out around a swim can be a huge amount of fun. But when it comes to family summer holidays, the temptation is always to head for the coast to find water. While beach days are undoubtedly a favourite, it's worth exploring our inland water as well. By doing so, you deliver valuable nature experiences to children and can easily plan an adventure on your doorstep by walking to a swim spot, before enjoying a dip and a picnic.

In the UK, our myriad freshwater environments are rich with wildlife, and organisations such as The Rivers Trust are working hard to highlight the creatures and plants that need our help, in order to conserve them for future generations. Catching the flash of turquoise and orange as a kingfisher zips along a river or spying a yellow-bellied newt basking in the sun these are experiences you will never forget.

Loch Morlich, Inverness-shire