wild swimming walks
Like many people who are blessed to live in South Devon, we love exploring its spectacular natural environment. Most weekends you'll find us heading out to meet likeminded adventurers for a walk and a swim, usually followed by a warm drink and some homemade cake. It's our passion for these jaunts that led to us researching 28 circular routes (which we hope will appeal to both walkers and swimmers), from the rugged and remote wilderness of Dartmoor, to the craggy cliffs and coves of the south west coast.
As well as taking us to some stunning spots, our research also uncovered some wonderful stories. Dartmoor is famous for its legends and there are some fantastic tales associated with some of the swim spots we visited. The rather brilliantly named Crazywell Pool near Princetown is a beautiful yet mysterious spot, where legend has it on some nights a mysterious voice will announce the next person to die in the Parish. It's also a magical place to take a dip and we can thankfully report we've never heard any such voices.
Another of our walks takes you to Foggintor Quarry, which supplied granite for London landmarks including Nelson's Column, as well as building blocks for Princetown and Dartmoor Prison.
Matt Newbury
Foggintor Quarry
For decades there were rumours and sightings of eerie humanoid figures seen lurking in the quarry at night and the locals dubbed them the 'Shadow Men.' It was later revealed they had actually been elite soldiers on top secret training missions. The flooded quarry is a wonderful swim spot with towering walls, topped with invading gorse and ferns.
A beautiful walk takes you from the town of Ivybridge into Longtimber Woods, and past several natural pools in the River Erme. The route also passes the remains of an overgrown swimming pool that was once fed by the river water. The pool was popular with children before being commandeered by American troops for training exercises prior to D Day. The soldiers even apparently carried sand to the pool to turn it into a beach for themselves and the locals.
Sophie Pierce
thurlestone arch
We also included coastal walks to some wonderful real beaches, many of which have their own tales of smugglers and pirates, adventurers and explorers. One of our favourites follows a route from Beesands to the ruined village of Hallsands. It's also an unexpectedly musical route. You'll pass the Cricket Inn where a young Keith Richards and Mick Jagger played their first ever gig, while on holiday. After a breath-taking clifftop stroll, you drop down to North Hallsands, where Blur’s Damon Albarn (who has a holiday home nearby) was inspired to write the Gorillaz album Plastic Beach. It’s fun and fascinating to swim to the lost village, while non swimmers can view the remains from a viewing platform above.
There are various coastal walks stretching from Plymouth right up the coast to Torbay and beyond, with some real treats in the South Hams. We’ve included a fascinating walk in the book from between the seaside towns of Teignmouth and Dawlish, following what must be one of the most spectacular railway lines in the UK. The walk takes you from Teignmouth Pier where stuntmen once used to entertain the crowds. The most famous was one-legged Peg Leg Pete, who would thrill onlookers by setting himself alight and diving from the pier into the water below. The route features two potential swims at the Parson and Clerk rocks (another spot with a fascinating legend) and Coryton Cove at Dawlish, before catching the train back to Teignmouth.
Matt Newbury
shilley pool
The book includes several swim walks along the River
Dart and if you do fancy trying wild swimming for the first time, the walk from New Bridge up to beautiful Shilley Pool passes several great spots. In the summer the river tends to be shallower and calmer, perfect for dipping your toes in the wonderful peaty water. Sandy shallow beaches are also safe places to swim with friends if you are a bit unsure. We’ve also included a magnificent walk from Bantham (with views across Bigbury Bay to Burgh Island) and along the clifftops to Thurlstone, with its sandy beach and superb natural arch. As with many of the walks, we’ve also included refreshment stops along the way.
We are immensely proud of the book and hope it encourages people to get out and about exploring this glorious part of the country and discovering some of its remarkable history and incredible stories. Perhaps we will bump into you along the way…
Wild Swimming Walks: Dartmoor and South Devon by Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury (£14.99, Wild Things Publishing) is available from all good bookshops.
For 30% off and free P+P visit www.wildthingspublishing.com and enter ‘Devon’ as your coupon code.
First published By The Dart July 2016