Wild Swimming
Escape the everyday and reconnect with nature.
Welcome to Wild-Wood UK, where nature meets serenity. Discover the invigorating experience of wild swimming in our beautiful open-water lake, nestled in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside.
Whether you’re an experienced open-water swimmer or taking your first dip, Wild-Wood UK offers a safe, welcoming and unforgettable outdoor experience. Swim surrounded by woodland, wildlife and fresh country air, then warm up beside the lake in our wood-fired sauna.
Please note: Wild swimming takes place in our dedicated swimming lake. This is completely separate from our Wellness Area, which has its own natural swimming pool, wood-fired sauna, hot tub and cold plunge and can be booked independently.
🍂 Autumn & Winter Swimming – £12.50
As we move into autumn and the lake temperature begins to drop, we transition to our Autumn & Winter Swimming sessions.
During our Autumn & Winter season, all public swims are £12.50 per person and automatically include use of our lakeside wood-fired sauna.
There’s no need to add the sauna separately when booking — it’s all part of your swim. 🔥🏊♀️
Our lakeside sauna accommodates a maximum of 6 people at any one time and is shared between swimmers on a rotation basis.
Please be considerate of other swimmers and rotate your time in the sauna so that everyone has the opportunity to warm up.
We’d love the sauna to be bigger too! Our £12.50 Swim + Sauna price reflects that this is our smaller lakeside sauna and that access is shared, rather than exclusive or guaranteed for the whole session.
As the seasons change, so does swimming at Wild-Wood — shorter, colder dips followed by the warmth of the sauna. It’s one of our favourite times of year at the lake. 🤍
Tow floats remain compulsory for all swimmers and can be hired if you don’t have your own.
🏊♀️ Swimming Sessions & Lifeguard Times
Lifeguards are available during the following sessions:
Monday
8:00am & 6:30pm
Wednesday
6:00pm
Thursday
7:00pm
Friday
1:00pm & 5:00pm
Saturday
9:00am
Sunday
10:00am & 3:00pm
✨ Also discover our Friday Wild Wood Swim Club and Chilly Dips Club — relaxed, friendly group sessions designed to build confidence, consistency and community in the water, especially as we embrace the colder months.
Our Friday Wild Wood Swim Club runs at 9:00am, while Chilly Dips offers another opportunity to enjoy cold-water swimming as part of a supportive group on Saturday mornings at 10:00am.
🧭 Important Information
All swim sessions must be booked online in advance. We are unable to accept payment on site.
We operate a strict 48-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy. If you need to cancel or move your booking, this must be completed more than 48 hours before your swim.
Please use the link in your booking confirmation email to make any changes rather than contacting Mannie directly. Wild-Wood has a one-person administration team and Mannie is often coaching clients or working on site.
Eligible cancellations will be refunded manually. Please allow a few working days for refunds to be processed.
New swimmers must introduce themselves to the lifeguard on arrival for a short safety induction.
Medical conditions & allergies: Please disclose any relevant medical conditions or severe allergies when booking. If you have a condition that may require emergency assistance or carry emergency medication/supplies (e.g. EpiPen or inhaler), you must tell the lifeguard and hand these to them on arrival.
We strongly recommend attending one of our Introduction to Cold Water Swimming Workshops before swimming independently if you’re new to cold-water swimming.
Please ensure you have read our Health & Safety Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP) and Terms & Conditions.
Tow floats are compulsory for every swimmer.
Our regular public swim sessions are for ages 16+ only.
Sorry, dogs are not permitted at our wild swimming sessions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the swim route?
The lake is approximately 250 metres in circumference.
What’s the minimum age?
Our regular public swim sessions are for those aged 16 years and over.
During the summer holidays, we also offer selected family-friendly swim sessions.
Do I need a tow float?
Yes. Tow floats are mandatory for all swimmers.
You can bring your own, add Tow Float Hire during checkout or hire one on arrival, subject to availability. We also have a small number available to purchase.
What is access like?
The lake benefits from stepped access with handrails, a sandbag landing area and an emergency non-step access point.
Please be aware that the lake is deep and there is limited standing space.
Are there lifeguards on site?
Yes. Qualified lifeguards are present during all regular public swim sessions.
Please introduce yourself to the lifeguard if it is your first swim with us.
If you have disclosed a relevant medical condition or severe allergy, or carry emergency medication such as an EpiPen or inhaler, you must also make the lifeguard aware and hand any emergency medication or supplies to them on arrival.
Is there a café?
Not currently, but we do have a self-service tea and coffee station together with delicious post-swim bakes by Bakes by Gee.
Simply scan the QR code to pay, and please remember to pay for any refreshments you enjoy.
Is the sauna included with my swim?
Yes!
During our Autumn & Winter Swimming season, use of our lakeside wood-fired sauna is automatically included in your £12.50 swim.
You no longer need to add the sauna separately when booking.
The sauna accommodates a maximum of 6 people at one time and operates on a shared rotation basis throughout the session.
Please be considerate with your sauna time and rotate the space fairly so that every swimmer gets the opportunity to warm up.
We know a larger sauna would be lovely! However, this is our smaller lakeside sauna and our £12.50 Swim + Sauna price reflects the shared nature and size of the facility.
Sauna access is therefore shared rather than exclusive and cannot be guaranteed continuously throughout your session.
Please note that this is our lakeside sauna beside the wild swimming lake and is completely separate from our Wellness Area.
What wildlife might I see?
Our lake is home to carp and is regularly visited by herons and kingfishers — and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot one of our resident otters, including Harry Otter!
Are there changing facilities?
Yes. Changing rooms are located beside the car park.
Please leave them as you found them.
Are toilets and showers available?
Yes. A toilet and basic shower are located beside the changing rooms.
Is wild swimming suitable for beginners?
You must be able to confidently swim at least 25 metres, as the lake is deep throughout.
Cold-water swimming becomes a very different experience as we move into autumn and winter. Water temperatures can fall extremely low and occasionally reach ice-swimming conditions.
If you’re new to cold-water swimming, we strongly recommend attending one of our Introduction to Cold Water Swimming Workshops before swimming independently.
Please listen to your body and never feel you need to stay in for a particular length of time. As the water gets colder, your swim may become a short dip rather than a longer swim.
There is no prize for staying in longer — knowing when to get out is an important part of cold-water swimming.
What do I need for darker evening swims?
During autumn and winter, it can become dark very quickly around the lake.
For evening swims during the darker months, please bring a head torch and a light for your tow float.
Visibility both in and around the lake is reduced in low-light conditions, so please arrive prepared.
Can I bring friends or family?
Absolutely. Everyone is welcome, but every swimmer must have their own booking so that we can collect the required contact, medical and health & safety information for each participant.
Our regular sessions are for ages 16+, with selected Family Swim sessions available during the summer holidays.
Can I hire the lake exclusively?
Yes.
Exclusive lake hire is available from £120 per hour, with the option to add a qualified lifeguard for £20 per hour.
Tow floats or appropriate buoyancy aids are compulsory.
Please contact us directly to discuss private lake hire and any additional requirements.
🎒 What to Bring
Please bring:
Swimwear
Towel
Plenty of warm clothing for afterwards
Woolly hat and gloves
Bright swim cap
Water shoes (recommended)
Tow float (required)
Head torch and tow-float light for darker evening swims
As temperatures drop, we also recommend neoprene gloves, neoprene socks, a warm hat and plenty of loose, easy-to-put-on layers for afterwards.
Please remember that your body can continue cooling after you leave cold water. Get dry, dressed and warm promptly after your swim.
🌿 Why Wild Swim at Wild-Wood?
Reconnect with Nature
Swim surrounded by birdsong, woodland and wildlife in our beautiful Worcestershire countryside setting.
Enjoy Every Season
From long, refreshing summer swims to crisp autumn mornings and invigorating winter dips, every season brings a completely different experience at the lake.
Swim + Sauna
As the temperatures drop, our wild swimming experience changes too.
Take your dip, then warm up in our wood-fired lakeside sauna before wrapping up with something warm to drink.
For us, it’s one of the best ways to experience Wild-Wood.
☕ After Your Swim
Take your time, warm up and enjoy:
🔥 Your included lakeside wood-fired sauna
☕ Self-service tea and coffee
🍰 Delicious post-swim bakes
🔥 Fire pit and seating area
⛺ Our cosy warming tent (subject to availability and when not in use for an exclusive hire)
Remember, the sauna is shared between the session, with a maximum of 6 people inside at any one time.
Please be considerate and rotate the space fairly so that everyone has the opportunity to warm up.
Looking for an even more luxurious wellness experience?
Our Wellness Area is completely separate and features its own natural swimming pool, wood-fired sauna, hot tub and cold plunge. It can be booked independently for exclusive private sessions or enjoyed during our Community Wellness Hours.
🗓 How to Book
Choose your preferred swim session.
Add Tow Float Hire if required.
Complete your booking and all required health and safety information online.
On arrival, introduce yourself to the lifeguard if you are new to Wild-Wood.
Tell the lifeguard about any relevant medical condition or severe allergy and hand over any emergency medication or supplies you may require.
Turn up ready to swim, sauna and enjoy Wild-Wood.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Cold-water swimming carries additional risks as water temperatures fall.
Please read our Health & Safety Procedures, Terms & Conditions and the Royal Life Saving Society’s guidance on open-water swimming before your visit.
Please disclose all relevant medical conditions and severe allergies when booking. If you have a condition that may require emergency assistance or carry emergency medication or supplies, you must make the lifeguard aware and hand these to them on arrival.
Always follow the instructions of our lifeguard, listen to your body and know your own limits.
During darker autumn and winter sessions, please bring a head torch and a light for your tow float.
You don’t need to swim far or stay in for long to enjoy being in the water.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Wild-Wood for a season of crisp swims, chilly dips, roaring fires and wood-fired sauna sessions.
Medical information
Please disclose any relevant medical condition, severe allergy or other health information when booking. If you have a condition that may require emergency assistance or carry emergency medication such as an EpiPen or inhaler, please also make the lifeguard/instructor aware before participating.