Over eight years of travelling in our VW California as a family of four, water has shaped our routes more than anything else. It’s pulled us to remote Scottish lochs, Atlantic-battered headlands on the Ring of Kerry, and the glassy tidal lagoons of the Gower Peninsula.

But “swimming” means something different to each of us — and we think that distinction matters if this guide is going to be genuinely useful to your family.

Claire is a competitive open water swimmer. She trains regularly, participates in events, and has completed the Chill Swim Triple Crown — swimming the full lengths of Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere in a single season (nearly 24 miles of open water). She holds a Level 2 SEQ Swim Teaching qualification. She’s wearing a wetsuit and tow float, swimming front crawl, and covering distance — often around a marked course or buoys at an organised event. Tommy, our eldest, has caught the bug too and is training for open water swim events of his own.

Dan is a different story. He’s completely capable in the water and confident at sea — but he wouldn’t call himself a swimmer. On longer swims he’ll often accompany Claire or Tommy on the SUP, keeping them company from the surface. That’s a legitimate and genuinely useful role in open water swimming, and one more families should consider.

Both boys have completed swimming lessons to Swim England Standard 10, earned their Rookie Lifeguards Gold award, and attended Swim Safe sessions at Salford Quays — the free Swim England and RNLI open water safety programme that runs every summer at inland and coastal sites across the UK for children aged 7–14. Confident, capable and educated in the water — but still supervised.

And then there’s the other kind of swimming that happens on every trip: wading into a Welsh llynn, jumping off rocks into a river pool, floating on your back in an Alpine lake while the mountains sit overhead. That’s not training. That’s something else entirely — and it’s delicious. That’s what they call smiles not miles.

This guide covers both. If you’re new to open water with kids, start at the top. If you’re already an open water swimmer looking for distance spots and event venues accessible by van, jump to the events and distance swimming section.

What’s on this page

• Two kinds of wild swimming — and why the difference matters
• Types of open water for families
• Safety — what we actually do
• Getting kids into open water
• Open water swimming events and distance swims
• Right to swim — understanding water access in the UK
• Best UK regions from a campervan
• Wild swimming in Europe from the van
• Kit for the whole family
• How we find swim spots — apps, books and resources
• Campsites with water access
• Planning a water-led campervan trip

Two kinds of wild swimming — and why the difference matters

We’ve found it useful to be honest about this because the two experiences look quite different in practice, and conflating them creates confusion — especially around safety.

Dipping, playing and exploring

This is most families’ starting point, and there’s nothing “lesser” about it. Getting into a river pool on a hot day, wading out to your waist in a sea loch, letting the kids splash around in the shallows of Llyn Gwynant while you float nearby — this is joyful, low-pressure, and accessible to almost anyone.

For us, this is the rhythm of most campervan days. We arrive somewhere, spot water, get in. No training plan. No marked course. Often no wetsuits if the weather’s warm. The boys mess about, someone jumps off something they probably shouldn’t, we dry off on a rock. It doesn’t require the same level of planning as a distance swim, but it still requires basic water awareness — which we cover in the safety section.

Open water swimming — training, events and distance

This is Claire’s world, and increasingly Tommy’s. Open water swimming in this context means putting on a wetsuit and tow float, getting in, and actually swimming — front crawl, covering distance, often with a purpose. That might be a lake crossing, a kilometre session in the bay before anyone else is up, or a registered open water event with a marked course and timing chips.

The planning, kit, safety considerations and logistics are meaningfully different from a family dip — and we try to be specific about which applies where throughout this guide.

Dan’s role on longer swims is worth naming here. He’s a confident, capable presence in the water but his preferred position on Claire or Tommy’s distance swims is on the SUP — paddling alongside, carrying kit, keeping an eye on conditions, and being there if needed. This is a completely legitimate and genuinely safe way for a non-swimmer to support open water swimming. If your family has a similar dynamic, it’s worth thinking about deliberately rather than just assuming someone has to swim too.

You can read more about how water shapes all our trips — the full philosophy behind what we do and why.

Types of open water for families

Not all water is the same — and understanding the differences matters when you’re deciding what’s appropriate for your family on a given day.

Sea swimming

The most accessible kind for most UK campervanning families. A beach is easy to read: you can see the conditions, assess the swell, look for flags. Sea swimming is brilliant for building confidence because entry is usually gradual and saltwater is more buoyant than fresh. The main things to watch are current, swell direction, tidal state, and in some locations, boat traffic. We never swim at an unfamiliar beach without checking conditions first — even somewhere that looks calm can have a rip running along the shoreline.

Lake and loch swimming

Our favourite environment for distance swimming. Flat water, no current, incredible scenery, and a feeling of being completely removed from everything. But lake swimming comes with its own considerations: water temperature (lakes can be significantly colder than the sea in spring), variable depth, boat traffic on larger lakes, and in warm weather, blue-green algae. Claire completed the Chill Swim Triple Crown across Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere — so we know the Lakes as distance swimming venues particularly well. Our guide to wild swimming campsites covers many of our favourite lake locations.

River swimming

River pools and natural plunge pools are some of the most magical spots for a family dip — but they require care. Rivers change character quickly with rainfall, flow can be deceptive, and underwater hazards aren’t always visible. We tend to stick to well-known, well-documented river pools for family dipping, and we always check for recent rainfall before getting in.

Tidal pools and sea lochs

The sweet spot between sea and lake swimming — enclosed, often sheltered from swell, and brilliant for both family dipping and distance sessions on calmer days. Our Gower campervan itinerary and Scotland and Isle of Mull guide both include specific swim spots worth seeking out.

Reservoirs and gravel pits

Worth a mention because these are increasingly where organised open water swimming events happen — and where NOWCA-registered venues are found. Access varies enormously: some are open for wild swimming, many are not. Always check before getting in. Designated open water swimming venues with safety cover are a good starting point for anyone new to distance swimming.

Waterfall pools

High drama, usually cold, and the boys absolutely love them. Scotland and Wales are particularly good for this. Always check depth at your entry point, and be aware of powerful undertow directly beneath a waterfall. Enter from the side, not directly below.

Safety — what we actually do

This is the section that matters most, so we’re going to be direct rather than reassuring.

Open water carries real risks. We don’t want to scare you off it — we want you to do it with your eyes open. Claire’s background as a Level 2 SEQ Swim Teacher, combined with our boys’ Swim England Standard 10 qualifications, Rookie Lifeguards training, and the RNLI water safety sessions they completed, means our family has more formal water safety education than most. That background is the reason we’re comfortable in a wide range of conditions.

Before you get in — family dipping

• Assess entry and exit first. Walk the edge of an unfamiliar spot before anyone gets in. Find where you’d get out — especially with kids. Is there a hidden shelf or drop-off just inside the entry point?
• Check the water temperature. Cold water shock is the primary risk in UK open water, especially in spring when air feels warm but water is still in single figures. It can cause involuntary gasping and, in extreme cases, cardiac events — even in fit people.
• Know the hazards specific to the water type. Blue-green algae (toxic, found in lakes in warm weather — usually signposted), weeds, boat traffic, currents, rip currents at beaches. Always check signage and recent local reports.
• Tell someone where you’re going. Always. Especially anywhere remote.
• Check weather and recent rainfall. Rivers in particular — what was a gentle pool last week can be a torrent after rain in the hills above.

Before you get in — distance swimming

• All of the above, plus:
• Check boat traffic and navigation channels. On larger lakes and sea lochs, know where the navigation channel runs. On organised events, this is managed for you — which is one of their advantages.
• Have a support plan. On solo or non-event swims, someone should know your route, expected duration, and what to do if you’re overdue. Dan on the SUP is our version of this for longer swims.
• Check NOWCA venue safety ratings and recent reports if using a registered venue. NOWCA (National Open Water Coaching Association) accredits open water venues across the UK and publishes water temperature and safety information — invaluable for planning distance sessions.
• Plan your exit strategy. On a lake crossing, where exactly are you getting out? Is there a beach, a jetty, a rocky shore? Don’t assume you can exit anywhere.

In the water

• Enter cold water gradually. Splash water on your face and neck before full immersion. Don’t jump into water of unknown depth or temperature. The cold water gasp reflex has caused drowning in experienced swimmers who entered too quickly.
• Tow floats. We use them often – for both distance swimming and family dipping. They keep you visible to boats, give you something to hold if you need a rest, and they’re a visual signal to other water users that you’re there deliberately and not in trouble. Non-negotiable. See our kit list for the ones we use.
• Know the signs of cold water incapacitation. Swimming ability degrades faster than you’d expect as your core temperature drops. Difficulty breathing, feeling clumsy, losing stroke efficiency — these are signals to get out immediately.

Getting out

• Warm up actively after a cold swim — don’t just sit there. Towel dry, layer up, move around. Afterdrop (core temperature continuing to fall after you exit the water) is real and can sneak up on you, especially on children who have less body mass to retain heat.
• Warm drinks. We always have a flask in the van.

Getting kids into open water

The honest truth: you cannot force a child into cold water and have it go well. You shouldn’t want to.

What you can do is make the entry irresistible, the experience short enough to be fun rather than endurance, and the aftermath warm and celebratory enough that they want to do it again. Our boys are now both strong, confident open water swimmers — but that happened over years, not in an afternoon.

What’s worked for us

• Formal swimming lessons first. Both boys completed swimming lessons to Swim England Standard 10 before we pushed any open water ambition. That pool-based foundation — breath control, stroke technique, stamina — matters enormously in open water. Don’t skip it.
• RNLI and Rookie Lifeguards training. The boys completed a Rookie Lifeguards course and attended RNLI water safety sessions at Salford Quays. This gave them real understanding of risk — rip currents, cold water shock, how to help others — rather than just rules to follow. We can’t recommend this enough.
• Lead from the front. If the adults aren’t excited, the kids won’t be. We get in first, loudly and dramatically, so the boys can see it’s survivable and actually fun.
• Wetsuits lower the barrier significantly. For families just starting out, wetsuits make the temperature manageable. There’s a philosophical debate in the wild swimming community about wetsuits versus skins — ignore it when it comes to kids. A well fitted wetsuit means longer in the water, more fun, less misery. That builds the habit.
• Set a target, not a duration. “Swim to that rock and back” is more achievable than “we’re swimming for ten minutes.” Kids respond better to visible goals than abstract time.
• Make the reward non-negotiable. Hot chocolate after every swim. Every single time. The ritual matters as much as the swim.
• Never shame hesitation. If one of the boys doesn’t want to get in, they don’t have to get in. Pressure is the fastest way to create a child who hates water. Watching from the shore is always fine.
• Let them pick some spots. Our boys know to look out for swim potential on routes now. Giving them ownership of the decision means they’re invested before they even get there.

If your children are nervous around water, working with a qualified swim teacher in a pool environment — ideally to at least Swim England Standard 7 or 8 before any open water — will make an enormous difference to how they approach it. Claire’s swim teaching background means we’ve been deliberate about this progression, not just hopeful.

From dipper to distance swimmer — making the transition

Making the jump from occasional family dipping to structured open water swimming is more achievable than most people think — but it does require a plan, and the right starting point depends entirely on where your swimming is now.

If your pool swimming needs work first

Be honest with yourself here. Open water removes all the cues that pool swimming provides — lane ropes, a black line on the floor, walls to rest at, the ability to stand up. If your technique or stamina isn’t solid in a pool, open water will expose it quickly and make the experience harder than it needs to be.

Adult swimming lessons are widely available and genuinely transformative — there’s no age at which technique stops mattering, and most adult learners find they progress quickly once someone is watching their stroke. If you’re not sure where to start, the Catch app is excellent: it combines structured training plans with technique videos, so you can work on stroke mechanics and build swim fitness in parallel.

Get a coach

If you’re serious about distance open water swimming — targeting a specific event, working toward a lake crossing, or just wanting to progress faster than self-coaching allows — working with a specialist open water coach is the single biggest accelerator. Claire worked with Mel Berry Coaching in preparation for the Chill Swim Triple Crown, and the difference in technique, strength and confidence was significant.

Find a supervised open water venue

Before heading to an unmarked lake or river pool for your first proper swim, start at a supervised open water venue. These are purpose-built or permitted locations with safety cover on the water, measured courses, and often coaching available too. They remove the access and safety uncertainty while you build confidence and distance.

Two local venues we would particularly recommend:

Uswim at Boundary Water Park — offer open water swimming sessions with coaching and stroke analysis. A well-run, accessible venue for swimmers at all levels.

Kuotos Swim at Whitmore Lakes — similarly strong on coaching and stroke analysis, and a good environment for swimmers making the transition from pool to open water.

The NOWCA directory lists accredited open water venues across the UK. Most venues rent equipment on the day, and some offer wetsuits for hire, which means you can try open water swimming properly before committing to kit. [AFFILIATE LINK — Adventure Kit Hire] is also worth bookmarking for wetsuit and tow float rental if your nearest venue doesn’t offer it.

Build up distance sensibly

The standard progression for open water events looks something like this: supervised venue sessions to build comfort and sighting → a short organised event (750m or 1km) to experience race conditions with safety cover → stepping up to 1.5km or 2km once you’re comfortable with the format. Claire and Tommy are both doing the Bala 1.5km and Cross Rutland Water 2km this year — those distances are very achievable with a few months of structured preparation from a solid pool base.

Don’t skip the supervised venue stage. Open water feels completely different from a pool — the absence of lane ropes, the inability to see the bottom, sighting to navigate — and normalising those things in a safe environment before your first event makes the event itself much more enjoyable.

Open water swimming events and distance swims

This section is for the swimming end of the family spectrum — primarily Claire and Tommy, but increasingly relevant as Tommy trains more seriously.

One of the things we love about combining open water swimming with campervanning is how naturally they fit together. You drive to a venue, sleep in the van, swim early before the crowds arrive, and move on. No hotel checkout times. No early morning logistics. Just the lake, the van, and the alarm set for 6am.

Organised open water events

For distance swimmers, organised events solve several problems at once: safety cover is provided, the course is marked with buoys, and you’re surrounded by other swimmers. For anyone stepping up from solo swims or casual dipping to genuine distance swimming, they’re an excellent bridge.

Events in the UK range from 750m beginner-friendly swims up to 10km+ marathon distances. Many of the best are held in venues we’ve campervanned to specifically — the Great North Swim at Windermere, Coniston events, Great Scottish Swim at Loch Lomond, and various Chillswim events. We plan the van trip around the swim date, which makes the logistics straightforward.

Useful resources for finding events:

• NOWCA (nowca.org) — the National Open Water Coaching Association registers and accredits open water venues and events across the UK. Their app lets you log open water swims, find accredited venues with water temperature and safety data, and track your distances. If you’re training seriously, this is essential.
• Outdoor Swimmer magazine — publishes an annual events calendar covering everything from local club swims to major national events.
• Chillswim — organisers of some of the UK’s most respected lake distance events, including the Triple Crown swims. Their event calendar is worth bookmarking.
• Open Water Swimming Scotland / Swim Wales — regional governing bodies with event listings.

Our 2026 swim calendar gives a sense of the range. Claire and Tommy are both entered for the Bala 1.5km and the Cross Rutland Water 2km — a brilliant pair of events for a swimmer stepping up to distance racing alongside a parent doing the same course. Claire is also doing the Brighton Pier to Pier Bounceback Swim (3km) solo, and has signed up for the 24-hour relay swim for Level Water at Alderford Lake — a charity event with a very different kind of challenge. Three very different swim experiences, all requiring different preparation, and all campervannably located.

Supported swims — Dan and the SUP

On non-event distance swims — lake crossings, sea swims, longer sessions in unfamiliar water — Claire and Tommy often have Dan alongside on the SUP. This is worth naming as a deliberate safety practice rather than a nice bonus.

A SUP-based escort can carry spare kit, monitor the swimmer’s stroke and progress, provide a rest point, raise the alarm if something goes wrong, and keep the swimmer visible to other water users. If you have a family dynamic where one person is a swimmer and another isn’t, the SUP role is a genuinely useful and active one — not just spectating.

For anyone interested in this, British Canoeing and the Outdoor Swimming Society have both published guidance on paddler-swimmer protocols for supported swims.

Right to swim — understanding water access in the UK

This catches a lot of people out: unlike Scotland, there is no general right to swim in open water in England and Wales. Access to most lakes, rivers, and reservoirs is technically at the permission of the landowner. In practice, the situation is more nuanced — and improving — but it’s worth understanding before you go.

Scotland

The best situation in the UK. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a general right of responsible access to most land and inland water, including for swimming. This is why campervanning in Scotland and wild swimming there feel so liberated — you can legally get into most lochs without needing to find permission first. The access right comes with responsibility: be considerate, take your litter, and don’t damage anything.

England and Wales

Legally more complicated. There is no general right of access to swim in rivers, lakes, or reservoirs in England and Wales. However:

• Tidal sections of rivers and the sea are generally accessible — below the mean high-water mark on the coast, and in tidal river sections, there’s usually a public right of navigation.
• Some non-tidal rivers have historic rights of navigation (the Thames, Wye, and a few others) which extend to swimming in practice.
• Permissive access is granted at many locations — either formally by landowners and water companies, or informally by long-standing local custom. The latter has no legal standing but often reflects reality on the ground.
• Designated bathing waters are monitored and officially sanctioned swimming spots — there are around 600 in England alone, with more being added. These are your safest bet legally and in terms of water quality monitoring.
• Canal & River Trust waterways permit swimming at a small number of locations — check their website for current permitted spots.

The campaign for a Right to Swim in England and Wales is ongoing — organisations like Swim England and the Open Spaces Society have been pushing for legislative change similar to Scotland’s model. It’s worth following if this matters to you.

Practical approach

In practice, many of the spots we swim in England and Wales are either designated bathing waters, well-established permissive access points with a long history of swimming use, or locations recommended in established wild swimming guides (which effectively function as a record of tolerated access). We use the resources below to identify spots where access is understood, rather than hoping for the best at an unmarked shoreline.

Best UK regions for wild swimming from a campervan

These are regions we know personally — routes we’ve driven, swims we’ve done, and campsites where we’ve pulled up specifically for water access. Each links through to our full itinerary or guide where one exists.

Wales

Our most-visited wild swimming territory. Wales is extraordinary for open water: mountain lakes (llyns), river gorges, sea caves, and a coastline that rewards exploration. The Gower Peninsula is our family benchmark — Oxwich Bay, Three Cliffs, and the hidden tidal pools along the south coast are among the best we’ve found anywhere in the UK.

Snowdonia has extraordinary mountain lake swimming — Llyn Idwal, Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, Llyn Gwynant — all accessible by campervan. Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) is a popular open water swimming venue. The Brecon Beacons have river pools worth seeking out. Pembrokeshire has some of the clearest water in the UK.

Read our full Gower Peninsula campervan guide →

The Lake District

Claire completed the Chill Swim Triple Crown here — Coniston (5.25 miles), Ullswater (7.5 miles), and Windermere (10.5 miles) — so we know these lakes as open water swimming venues in real depth. For family dipping, Coniston is our starting recommendation: manageable scale, beautiful scenery, and excellent campervan access. For distance swimming, all three Triple Crown lakes host events and have NOWCA-accredited venues nearby. Ullswater has stunning entry points near Glencoyne Bay. Windermere hosts the Great North Swim, one of the UK’s biggest open water events.

Wild swimming campsites with direct lake access are listed in our UK wild swimming campsites guide.

Scotland

Scotland is in a different league — the scale, the solitude, and the right of responsible access to virtually all land and water mean you can camp near a remote loch and swim it without needing anyone’s permission. The West Coast and islands have bays, sea lochs, and freshwater lochs that are genuinely jaw-dropping. Loch Lomond hosts the Great Scottish Swim. The Cairngorms have cold, remote mountain swimming. The Outer Hebrides has beaches with Caribbean-coloured water that doesn’t feel like Britain at all.

Read our Scotland and Isle of Mull family campervan itinerary →

The Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Already mentioned, but worth its own entry. The Gower was the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Three Cliffs Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. The tidal lagoon at the eastern end of Oxwich Bay is perfect for children and distance swimmers alike — sheltered, clean, and remarkably beautiful. Rhossili has dramatic cliffs and, on the right day, excellent surf.

Full Gower Peninsula campervan itinerary →

Cornwall and the South West

Crowded in summer but undeniably beautiful. Porthcurno, Kynance Cove, the Fal Estuary, and the Jubilee Pool at Penzance are all worth seeking out. The north coast has serious Atlantic swell — brilliant for surfing, more demanding for distance swimming or family dipping. We look for coves rather than exposed beaches with the kids.

Yorkshire and the Peak District

Less obvious but genuinely worth it. Malham Tarn and the river pools of Nidderdale are beautiful. In the Peaks, the River Wye above Monsal Head and the pools near Dovedale are popular. Damflask Reservoir near Sheffield is a NOWCA-accredited open water swimming venue — worth knowing if you’re combining a distance session with a van trip to the north.

The Pembrokeshire Coast

One of the clearest waters in the UK and some of Britain’s best coasteering territory. Barafundle Bay requires a short walk in but is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy is a flooded slate quarry with vivid blue-green water and a jump platform. The coastal path connects dozens of coves, many reachable from van-friendly parking with short walks.

Wild swimming in Europe from the van

Taking the van to Europe opens up a completely different register. Alpine lakes in France and Italy. Galician rias in northern Spain. Water that’s often warmer, cleaner, and entirely empty.

France — the Alpine lakes

Our South Eastern France itinerary was essentially planned around Lac d’Annecy and the lakes of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. These are some of the cleanest freshwater lakes in Europe — cold, clear, turquoise in the right light, and surrounded by mountains. For distance swimmers, Lac d’Annecy has a dedicated open water swimming circuit. Lac du Bourget, Lac de Paladru, and dozens of smaller lakes are within easy driving distance. Designated plages (beaches) with monitored bathing water are common and well-signposted.

Read our South Eastern France family campervan itinerary →

Northern Spain — Galicia and Asturias

The north coast of Spain is wild, green, and full of extraordinary swim spots. The rias — drowned river valleys that act like sheltered fjords — have calm, warm water even when the Atlantic is rough. Inland, Galicia’s rivers have crystal-clear pools formed by granite outcrops. We’ve done two trips to this coastline and still haven’t exhausted it.

Read our 16-day Galicia family campervan itinerary →
Or our 12-night northern Spain itinerary from Plymouth →

Ireland — the Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland’s west coast is properly wild. The water is cold, the scenery is dramatic, and the beaches in Kerry, Galway, and Clare are the kind that make you stop the van and stare. Swimming in the sheltered inlets of the Ring of Kerry is extraordinary — dramatic Atlantic scenery with water calm enough for the boys to explore comfortably.

Read our Ring of Kerry family campervan itinerary →

Kit for the whole family

We’ve refined this list over eight years. What follows is what’s actually in the van — not a wishlist, not every option on the market. The full breakdown with specific product links is in our family campervan kit list. We’ve recently partnered with [Adventure Kit Hire] as affiliates — if you want to try before you commit to buying, or need kit for a specific trip, their rental service is worth a look. [LINK]

Non-negotiables — everyone

• Tow floats — one per swimmer. Visibility in open water is critical for both safety and being seen by other water users. We use them every time regardless of conditions.
• Wetsuits — for dipping, they extend time in the water and make the whole thing more enjoyable. For distance swimming, they’re standard kit and often required at events. We have a full wetsuit range for both boys and replace them as they grow. A well-fitted wetsuit is not optional — it’s the whole point. A loose wetsuit flushes cold water constantly and provides almost no thermal benefit. We see this constantly at family swim spots: kids in wetsuits two sizes too big, bought to “grow into,” which are effectively useless for warmth and uncomfortable to swim in. Buy the right size now. A wetsuit that fits properly should feel snug but not restrictive, with no large air pockets at t he shoulders, chest or knees. It’s also worth being clear about wetsuit type, because this confuses a lot of families. A surf or watersports wetsuit and an open water swimming wetsuit are not interchangeable.
• Surf wetsuits are designed for flexibility through the shoulders and core, durability against abrasion from boards and reefs, and warmth while you’re largely stationary in the water waiting for waves. They’re thicker in the body, stiffer through the arms, and create significant drag when you’re actually swimming.
• Open water swimming wetsuits are engineered for the opposite — maximum flexibility through the shoulders and arms for a full front crawl stroke, with a smooth outer surface (often a treated nylon) specifically designed to reduce drag through the water. The buoyancy is also distributed differently, lifting the hips and legs into a flatter, more hydrodynamic position.
• For a family dip or a play in the sea, a surf wetsuit does the job fine. The moment you’re actually swimming — covering distance, training, or racing — you want a swimming-specific wetsuit. Using a surf wetsuit for a 1.5km event is the equivalent of running a road race in hiking boots: possible, but you’ll notice it.
• Claire and Tommy both swim in open water swimming wetsuits for training and events. The boys wear surf-style wetsuits for general van trip dipping, which is all they need them for at this point.
• For children who are growing fast, buying new every season is genuinely wasteful — but the answer isn’t buying oversized. Look on Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Vinted for second-hand wetsuits in the right size; the market is good and prices are reasonable. Wetsuit rental is also an increasingly practical option, particularly for growing kids or families just getting started who don’t want to commit to a full purchase. [AFFILIATE LINK PLACEHOLDER — Adventure Kit Hire]
• Dry robes and changing mats — changing at the van in a car park or field is a core skill. A good dry robe per person makes this possible in any weather, and doubles as post-swim warmth on cold days.
• Flask — hot chocolate post-swim. Non-negotiable.

For distance and event swimming

• Swim watch — GPS tracking, pace, distance. Garmin Forerunner or similar.
• Neoprene swim cap and gloves — significant heat retention in cold water, particularly for longer sessions.
• NOWCA membership — required at many accredited venues and events, logs your open water distance, and provides access to venue safety data.
• Waterproof phone case — for Dan on the SUP, or keeping a phone accessible at the water’s edge.

SUP kit

• Inflatable SUP, paddle, leash and pump — the SUP lives on the van roof rack or inside on long trips
• Personal flotation device — worn when accompanying distance swimmers in any open water
• Waterproof dry bag — carries spare kit, warm layers, snacks and emergency supplies during supported swims

See our full family campervan packing checklist for how swim kit sits alongside everything else we carry.

How we find swim spots — apps, books and resources

This is the question we get asked most often. The honest answer is: a layered approach, because different resources are good for different things.

Apps

• NOWCA (nowca.org / NOWCA app) — the primary resource for organised open water swimming in the UK. Lists accredited venues with current water temperature, safety status, and event information. If you’re training for events or looking for safe, supervised open water sessions, start here. You can also log every open water swim and track cumulative distance.
• Swimtrek’s Open Water Finder — community-sourced swim spots with user reports. Good for discovering locations others have swum recently.
• OS Maps — invaluable for identifying access routes to water, understanding the landscape, and checking whether a body of water is likely to have public access nearby.
• What3Words + satellite view in Google Maps — once you know an area has potential, satellite view often reveals accessible water, entry points, and where to park.

Books — the Wild Guides series

The Wild Guides (published by Princeton University Press / Wild Things Publishing) are the benchmark for tried and tested swim spots in the UK. Each location has been visited, documented, and assessed — they’re not crowd-sourced, which matters for accuracy and access information.

• Wild Swimming by Daniel Start — the original. Covers England’s best rivers, lakes and waterfalls. GPS coordinates, access notes, and honest descriptions of conditions.
• Wild Swimming Wales — essential for any Welsh campervan trip.
• Wild Swimming Scotland — given the right of responsible access, Scotland is the wild swimming guide that rewards the most exploration.
• Wild Swimming Coast — specifically covers sea swimming, tidal pools and coastal spots around the UK.
• Wild Swimming France — excellent for Alpine lake trips and the Dordogne/Périgord region.
• Wild Swimming Spain — worth it for Galicia and the northern coast specifically.

Community resources

• Outdoor Swimming Society (outdoorswimmingsociety.com) — the UK’s leading open water community. Their swim map has thousands of community-reported locations with recent conditions and notes.
• Local Facebook groups — almost every region has a wild swimming group now. These are invaluable for real-time algae warnings, access changes, and local knowledge.
• The RNLI beach finder — for sea swimming: tells you whether a beach has lifeguard cover, flag status, and any current hazard warnings.
• Environment Agency (for England) and Natural Resources Wales — publish bathing water quality reports for designated bathing sites. Check these before any sea or river swim at unfamiliar locations.
• Asking locals — still the best source. Campsite owners, other swimmers, dog walkers, surfers. People who live near water know where the good spots are and what to avoid.

Campsites with water access

The ideal campsite, for us, is one where we can get into water without getting in the van first. Walk to the water, swim, walk back, warm up — that’s the dream. More of these exist than you might think.

Our guide to wild swimming campsites covers our favourites across the UK — lakes, llyns and lochs where you can swim directly from the pitch. And our top 10 wet and wild campsites page covers the beach and surf access equivalents.

When we’re researching new campsites, we always check:

• Is there direct water access, or a short walk? (We want walkable, not a drive.)
• Is the water suitable for the kind of swimming we’re planning — flat and deep enough for distance, calm enough for kids?
• What are the current water quality reports for the area?
• For event swims: is the venue within reasonable drive of the campsite so we can leave early without disturbing neighbours?

Planning a water-led campervan trip

The biggest shift we’ve made is working backwards from the water — starting with a swim and building the trip around it, rather than starting with a destination and fitting swimming in.

The process that works for us:

1. Identify the swim first. For Claire and Tommy, this often means an event date — book the event, then plan the van trip around it. For a family dipping trip, it means identifying a region with good water options.
2. Map the swim spots. Two or three swims we definitely want to do. Mark them. Build from there.
3. Find campsites within walking or short driving distance. Ideally walkable from the van to the water. The NOWCA map is useful for locating accredited swim venues and working outward to find nearby campsites.
4. Check seasonal conditions. Alpine lakes are cold until June. Scottish lochs are challenging in early spring. The sea in Cornwall is warmest in September. Water temperature dictates wetsuit choice and what kind of swimming is appropriate.
5. Plan the support logistics. On longer swims, who’s where, with what kit, at what time. Dan’s SUP role, boys’ supervision at the water’s edge — these conversations happen before we arrive, not in the car park.

Our full collection of campervan itineraries and guides are all built around water first. If you’re planning your first water-led campervan trip and want a starting point, our Gower Peninsula guide is our most beginner-friendly — sheltered tidal swimming, great van-friendly campsites, and accessible from most of England and Wales for a long weekend.

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Follow us on Instagram

We share swim spots, event updates, training swims and what open water actually looks like with a family of four over on @thevanfam4.

If you have questions about open water swimming with kids — where to start, how to build up to events, whether the right to swim applies somewhere specific — get in touch.