Cold water swimming has grown in popularity over the past couple of years, with an increasing number of people braving a dip in coastal waters across the UK. Wild swimming as it is often called, is reported to have numerous health benefits and can help clear your mind and improve your mood.
West Dorset is home to a range of beautiful beaches set on the world famous Jurassic Coast. There's a variety of places to enjoy a swim during the colder, winter months - many within reach of our camping and caravan park.
Here we've compiled our top 5 cold water swimming locations in West Dorset. Of course these suggestions are just a drop in the ocean (pun intended)!
Let's dive in.
Lyme Regis
Photo credit: Herry Lawford | Flickr
Lyme Regis is a fantastic place to swim. Aside from being a popular tourist area, the (mostly) calm waters and beautiful scenery make Lyme Regis one of the best places to swim in Dorset. Here, you'll often find the Bridport Blue Tits, a like-minded group of swimmers who brave the cold Lyme waters day in, day out - even in the sub-zero temperatures of winter!
If you're just popping to Lyme during your Dorset holiday, we recommend booking an open water swimming coaching session with Malcolm or Ben at Lyme Bay Swimming. Malcolm boasts 20 years coaching experience as qualified Aquatics teacher and Ben is a competitive swimmer and qualified senior lifeguard. You'll gain water confidence, sea safety, fitness, technical skills, stroke impovements and more in your 1:1 session with Malcolm or Ben.
Although we wouldn't recommend taking the plunge on your own, if you are planning to head out with a partner or friend, please respect the waters and act according to the important information for the area:
- There is a swim line marked with yellow buouys between the North wall of the Cobb across the beach to Church Cliff. An orange buouy indicates the end of the line. Always swim in the designated area.
- Don't swim across the Harbour mouth or pontoon area as the harbour is in constant use all day.
- There is frequently a westward drift, so when swimming back to the Cobb - swim in towards shore slightly to compensate.
Read more recommended tips for cold water swimming in Lyme Regis - and don't miss our general safety guidelines at the end of this article.
West Bay
West Bay is a great place to visit whilst on holiday at Newlands caravan and camping park. Just a stone's throw from our holiday park, you can enjoy a day out in West Bay with the family. It has grown in popularity in previous years, partly due to being the setting for popular TV drama Broadchurch.
The beach is shingle-based, and is a popular place to bathe in the British summer. The east side of the beach is considered to be safest to swim and the cliffs provide a breathtaking backdrop (pictured above).
If you're lucky enough to be spending the festive period here, we recommend taking part in the iconic West Bay Wallows - a cold water swim on Boxing Day where swimmers wear fancy dress and raise money for their chosen charities! Having run annually since 2004, the event is popular among all that visit. Whether you brave the waters or just go to support the swimmers - a fun day is guarenteed!
Lifeguards only monitor the beaches in the summer months, so if you plan to swim in the low season, please exercise caution.
Weymouth
Photo credit: Andrew Bone | Flickr
Weymouth is one of Dorset's most popular beaches and one of the best popular places to enjoy open water swimming. In the summer months the main Weymouth Beach is very busy, and it can be difficult to conjur enough space to enjoy a relaxing swim here. To guarantee a bigger personal bubble, we recommend heading over early in the morning or later in the evening - or in the low season!
There are a number of excelllent swimming instructors in the area, who will be happy to assist you in learning to swim in the sea and improving your skills. Just one of the many fine providers are Jurassic Coast Swimming - who offer 1:1 lessons for people of all ages, from beginners to advanced swimmers.
If you'd prefer to break away from the crowds though, we recommend heading along the beach (and taking in the incredible views and some local food on the way) to Bowleaze Cove. The Cove doesn't just boast fun for the family at the popular Fantasy Island - it's also a great place to swim. The area is popular with watersports enthusiasts - so the water is 'zoned' to keep swimmers and jet-skis apart. We highly recommend cold water swimmming at Bowleaze Cove.
We'll let you in on a secret that few visitors know: there is a less-known "private" beach which the locals head to for a more secluded swim (though in the summer, you'll be hard pressed to find a 'quiet' beach). Ringstead Bay is a shingle beach that spans over 700m. Like Bowleaze and many other Jurassic Coast locations, it has dramatic views of cliffs which provide an excellent view whilst you swim. The waters are generally calm here, but because there is no lifeguard service at Bowleaze and Ringstead, you must excercise caution.
Charmouth
Charmouth is where we at Newlands are proud to call out home! It is the place to go for a quiet, relaxing swim. A rugged landscape and somewhat awkward access ensures that certain parts of the West beach are never over-occupied - so you're guarenteed a serene spot to set off from. Access to Charmouth is either over a footbridge or by wading through the river. The east beach can get a little busier as there's more sand, but it's still worth spending some time here - especially for sunbathing!
Although the waters are generally calm, the area has been the victim of landslides in the past - so please never sit directly under the cliffs - just to be safe! The waters also aren't lifeguarded.
Charmouth is the ultimate beach for fossil hunters. The location is the holy grail of Ammonite and Belemnite fossils! Charmouths' history is steeped in discovery, where it helped to unlock the answer to 185 million years of history. In turn, it is now regarded as being one of the most famous locations on the Jurassic Coast.
Seatown
Situated a stone's throw from our holiday park in Dorset, Seatown Beach is a fantastic place to enjoy cold water swimming and then reward yourself with a little luxury afterwards! Seatown is situated in an Area of Outstanding Beauty, with the Golden Cap, the South Coast's highest point, residing on the west of the beautiful shingle beach.
After braving the chilly waters, warm yourself up with a visit to Seaside Sauna, a fantastic woodfired beachside sauna directly on Seatown Beach! We can't think of many things better than enjoying a session in a sauna on the beach in Dorset. Please note: you must pre-book this activity in advance.
If you time your visit to Seatown Beach right, you'll be able to enjoy a woodfired pizza from Chariot of Fire - the mobile pizza provider who often set up on Seatown Beach to serve hungry beach-goers! Follow their Facebook feed and get in touch to find out about their current schedule.
Safety when cold water swimming
Don't leave your common sense on the shore.
As liberating and refreshing as cold water swimming is, it can also be dangerous. You must adapt to the current conditions, specific guidelines and rules in the area, and your own swimming ability.
Open waters are unpredictable. Please read the following safety guidelines and only visit our recommended locations if it is safe to do so on your day of visit!
- Read guidelines and tips on your chosen area. Know where you are/aren't allowed to swim, and how to get the most out of your experience.
- Even if you're a confient swimmer, always respect the waters. If the weather is poor and the sea is too choppy - avoid swimming.
- Always swim with at least one other person who is also an experienced, strong and fit swimmer.
- Have a contingency plan if for whatever reason you get into trouble. Know who to call and where to get help nearby before you set off.
- Wear the right gear. It is important you help preserve your body heat. Find out what cold water swimming kit you might need.
- Acclimatise - Keep swimming when cold to help your body get used to temperature.
- Don't dive - unless you are used to the water. Diving into water you haven't acclimatised to could result in cold water shock - which can be extremely dangerous.
- Before you set off, practice floating. If you get in trouble, you should 'float to live'.
- Always take a tow-float with you.
Watch 6 Tips for Cold water swimming on YouTube.
Read the RNLI cold water swimming guidelines for more information.
Where to stay
Newlands Holiday park is perfectly situated to enjoy cold water swimming in West Dorset. We are a stone's throw from West Bay, Charmouth and Lyme Regis - with Dorset hotspot, Weymouth just a 20-minute drive away! Newlands is a holiday park in Dorset with a swimming pool!
After a long day of swimming, head back to your cosy accommodation in one of our Dorset caravan holiday homes, or a wooden glamping pod. Or, bring your tent or tourer and base yourselves in our lovely landscaped park. After you've had a chance to wind down, replenish your calories and recuperate with a visit to The Tow Bar - our restaurant and lounge.
If the weather isn't favourable, why not make use of our indoor and outdoor swimming pools?
With brilliant play areas and childrens activities on-site, Newlands is the perfect destination for a family holiday in Dorset.