On the River Great Ouse, just over five minutes drive from Bedford town centre is an idyllic wild swimming hotspot that’s a near-perfect day out.
Can you swim in Bedford river?
The River Great Ouse runs right through Bedfordshire and there are plenty of swimming spots along the way.
Where should I start with wild swimming?
Local swimming groups are the best place to start, Alice told us, she suggested finding a group near you via the Outdoor Swimming Society website. “There’s nothing better than local knowledge when it comes to getting started,” Alice said.
Can you wild swim anywhere?
Key Points about access and legality
The right to swim in the sea is clear and not disputed. There is a right to swim in tidal waters and in waters that are navigable and open to boats, and in some specific named waters.
Is it OK to wild swim alone?
Staying safe
To stay safe, never swim alone and remember, if this is your first time, stay or swim close to the shore. Cold water will dramatically decrease your range at first, count on being able to swim a tenth of the distance you can in a warm pool , so practise in a safe zone and increase your range slowly.
Can you swim in Bedford Basin?
FYI: Don’t swim in Bedford Basin.
How deep is the river in Bedford?
The usual range of the River Great Ouse at Bedford is between 0.25m and 0.52m. It has been between these levels for 90% of the time since monitoring began.
Should I shower after wild swimming?
Allow your body to warm up naturally. Avoid taking a hot shower/bath immediately after your swim as this may make your core temperature to drop faster and lower. Give yourself time to warm up before you drive. Rinse your swim kit with cold water when you get home to clean it off and prevent musty smells.
How long should you stay in the water when wild swimming?
In general, the more you swim in cold water the less you will feel the cold and the greater the health benefits. This called ‘cold adaptation’. Don’t stay in so long that you start to shiver, though, and definitely get out and warm up after 20 minutes.
Do you need a wetsuit for wild swimming?
Swimming Wetsuit
If you’re new to open water swimming, it’s wise to wear a wetsuit. You’ll still feel the cold initially but soon after the layer of water trapped between the skin and wetsuit will warm you up.
Is it illegal to swim in canals?
‘ Not very safe at all. That might explain why swimming in canals is not permitted anywhere in the UK, and the Port of London Authority only allows swimming in the Thames upriver of Putney Bridge, through to Teddington. You can still get your summer dip, though.
Is it legal to swim in a river UK?
In England and Wales, a “right to roam” law means most lakes and rivers are open to swimming but there are some exceptions so it is important to confirm that you have access before you start swimming.
Is Wild swimming illegal UK?
There is no general right to swim in the non-tidal rivers and lakes of England and Wales. This is also the case in Northern Ireland, but rights of access to land and water are now very different in Scotland (see below).
Should I eat before wild swimming?
You should eat where possible before your morning swim; especially if it’s a longer (one hour in duration) or a high-intensity session. The body uses carbohydrate stores for high-intensity work, and if training on an empty stomach you might find you tire quickly.
Do you need goggles for wild swimming?
Goggles. If you want to swim with your head in, goggles that have a wider range of vision than regular swimming goggles will serve you well in open water, as it’s easier to see when you lift your head to orientate yourself.
How do you warm up after swimming in the wild?
Sip a warm drink: this helps warm the body gently from the inside. Sit in a warm environment: in the absence of more salubrious spaces, cars, with heaters on full, are popular with channel swimmers. If you feel okay, walk around to generate body heat. It can take some time to warm properly.
Are there sharks in the Bedford Basin?
“It certainly is possible,” said Joyce. “I have had a couple of records of sharks in the Bedford Basin before, but it is quite rare. Ocean sunfish often get mistakenly identified as being sharks.”
Can you swim in Sandy Lake Bedford?
Sandy Lake, has a supervised swimming area, picnic tables overlooking the lake, public washrooms, beach volleyball and a hiking trail that loops around the lake. The lake has bass and speckled trout making it an excellent fishing spot .
How far is the sea from Bedford?
The coastline of Bell Wharf Beach (Essex) is situated approx 63.02 mi to the SE of Bedford.
Is Bedford full of Italians?
More than 60 years later, Bedford is home to the highest proportion of Italian residents in the UK. One in every five Bedfordians hails from an Italian family, according to the last census.
Why is Bedford full of Italians?
There is one reason why Bedford is so Italian. After the war, the town’s Marston Valley Brick Company found itself short of labour for the reconstruction boom. So, between 1951 and the early 1960s, it recruited more than 7,500 men from the villages of southern Italy.