Skip to main content
Map Contact
Visit Norwich logo
Contact
City of Stories Wild Swimming in Norwich and Norfolk

Wild Swimming in Norwich and Norfolk

Wild Swimming in Norwich and Norfolk

by Katie Thompson

Norwich and Norfolk are known for their natural beauty. Think luscious Broads, breathtaking beaches and rippling rivers. So, what better way to immerse yourself than with wild swimming? This low-cost hobby is good for both your physical and mental health, and the warmer weather is the perfect excuse to take a dip outdoors. 

Whether you’re a local who’s just taken up the hobby or you’re visiting the county on holiday and want to swim somewhere new, here’s where to wild swim in Norwich and Norfolk (and how to stay safe while you do so)!

It’s hard to deny the thrill of an exhilarating afternoon wild swimming! Credit: Work in Norwich

Staying Safe 

Whilst wild swimming is both exciting and exhilarating, you also need to take proper safety precautions. For starters, you should be a strong and confident swimmer. Open water is often cold and deep, so make sure you do your research beforehand. We recommend following guidance from the UK Healthy Security Agency (particularly for water quality) and the RNLI (remember: ‘float to live’), as well as keeping up to date with the tide information in the areas you choose to swim. 

Before you get started, here are some of our top safety tips: 

  • Do your research – before you swim anywhere, we recommend looking up the location online. There are plenty of wild-swimming blogs, filled with top tips and advice. 
  • Check the current. If it’s too strong, don’t risk it.  
  • Never swim in locks, urban rivers, or canals. 
  • If you’re swimming in the sea, check the tides, especially for rip tides. We recommend swimming on lifeguarded beaches between the flags – make sure that you know what each flag means too!  
  • Avoid diving or jumping in. You never know what might be underneath the water, so try to find a spot where you can ease yourself in. 
  • Bring warm clothes! The cold can be dangerous, so bring a change of dry clothes, swim in a wetsuit and swimming cap, and acclimatise to the water slowly. If you feel your teeth start to chatter, or your energy levels dip, get out the water and go for a walk to help warm yourself back up. 
  • Stay away from algae. As well as being slippery and potentially making it difficult to get out of a lake or river, some algae can also cause irritation or sickness. 
  • Go with friends! Not only does going with friends make it more fun, but it means you can look out for each other. 
  • Don’t swim too far away from the shore. Make sure you can easily get back on dry land if any problems were to occur. 

Fairhaven’s beautiful Broads is a tranquil place to experience wild water swimming from April to October

Norfolk 

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

In the heart of the Broads National Park, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is a beautiful garden with 130 acres to explore. But did you know it also has access to South Walsham Broad?  

Perfect for beginners and experienced wild swimmers who enjoy the company of others, Fairhaven offers open water swimming (£12, 18+ years) on Saturday mornings (April – October) and Wednesday evenings (May – August). Soak up this energising experience- water temperatures and quality are closely monitored, prioritising swimmers’ safety. 

And for an even deeper recharge, revitalise in the soothing heat of Fairhaven’s Wildside Sauna (from £8, Saturday, March – October).

Norfolk Coast

With such a varied coastline, Norfolk’s beaches make for a picturesque place for open-water swimming. So, if you’re drawn to the waves of the North Sea, make sure to head to somewhere watched over by lifeguards. Our favourite Norfolk beaches with lifeguards include Mundesley, Hunstanton, Sheringham, Cromer (where you can also learn to surf with Glide Surf School) and Wells-next-the-Sea. Remember to plan ahead and take into consideration tide times (they often catch people out!). 

Why not make a day of it and treat yourself to fresh fish and chips once you’ve had your swim?

Cromer Beach

The draw of swimming at the beach is strong- make sure you’re safe before heading into the sea!

Lynford Water 

On the edges of Thetford Forest in Breckland, Lynford Water (close to Swaffham and easily accessible form the A11) is a popular spot where locals love to spend their weekends and evenings wild swimming- it’s not unusual to see lilos and paddleboards on this large lake. If you prefer it a bit quieter, head there in the morning or during the week. One of the biggest draws is the large ‘beach’, where you can make a day of it with a picnic or snack from Lynford Aboretum’s Shepherd’s Baa cafe (hint: try the brownies!).

Fritton Lake 

When staying in the peaceful surrounds of Fritton Lake– at the heart of a thousand-acre rewilding project- you can truly immerse yourself with wild swimming in their eponymous lake (if you swim to the buoys and back, you’ll can claim to have swum to Suffolk!). 

To swim independently, you’ll need to pass a 50-metre proficiency and then you’re good to go. Or you can join supervised and coached swimming sessions to increase your confidence- this is great for families.  

Once you’ve dried off, sunbathe on the ‘beach’s’ loungers (towels provided) with views across the placid waters, step into Fritton’s floating sauna, which offers uninterrupted views of the scenery, or dive into the heated outdoor pool, all to the soundtrack of twittering birds, whispering trees and Norfolk’s natural beauty.

Special Mentions

Throughout Norfolk, you’ll discover peaceful wild swimming spots- some popular, others for locals in the know. These include Caen Meadow at Wroxham– sheltered, shallow and with a small beach area that’s ideal for families, Coltishall, Bawburgh Mill, Swanton Morley Mill and the River Nar at Castle Acre. 

And a special mention for Beccles Lido. While it’s not explicitly wild swimming (and is just over the border into Suffolk!), Beccles Lido has three outdoor pools (heated in summer) to dip your toe into and it’s open all year round.

At Whitlingham Adventure, it’s not just open-water swimming, but watersports too!

Norwich 

Anderson’s Meadow 

Close to Sweet Briar Marshes and Wensum Park, Anderson’s Meadow is a go-to spot for local wild swimmers on the River Wensum. The slipway makes it easy to enter the water, but the current can be strong, so it’s recommended that you swim with a group. On the south side of the river, Eagle Paddlesports Club and Norwich Paddleboard Hire offer another way to get out onto the water.

Whitlingham Country Park

Just a short bus ride from Norwich city centre, Whitlingham Country Park is home to its very own Broad. In summertime, Tri-Anglia organises open-water swimming sessions on Saturdays and Wednesdays- you must be part of a group to swim here.  

As well as strolling along the 2-mile waterside loop, you can also hire crafts (from £14) to take out on the water! From kayaks to paddleboards to canoes and even a katakanu, catamaran-inspired boat!

And if you’re looking for other ways to get onto the River Wensum, without getting in the River Wensum, there’s plenty of choice and you don’t have to leave Norwich!  

At Pub & Paddle (from £15 for 2 hours), kayak alongside swans and past weeping willows, or try The Lions’ Den River for group paddleboarding sessions (followed by sauna and a cold plunge) (hire from £10). From Thorpe Green, Bishy Barney Boats’ motorboats (from £25 for 1 hour for 4 people) will take you along the meandering river into the city or to the verdant fringes of the Broads National Park, whilst, just a short drive northwest, you can embrace the tranquility of Taverham Mill’s nature reserve from when you hire a canoe (from £25 for 2 people for 45 minutes).