23.11.25 Escape to the Lake, Leigh, Nr. Bransford, Worcestershire
Satnav: WR6 5JY
* Car park
* Refreshments
* Outdoor changing facilities
* Toilets
* Lifeguards
* Dog-free
Worcestershire provides some of the most beautiful and safe wild swimming venues, and Escape to the Lake did not disappoint.! A spring-fed lake set in beautifully landscaped farmland, a crackling outdoor fire, dry changing facilities, and most importantly, a warm welcome.
But let’s rewind a little. This month has flown by, we’ve experienced bright blue-sky days, some winter warmth, another named storm and consecutive days of rain, encouraging the lawn (that I thought I’d mown for the last time three weeks ago) to put on a final, lush spurt of growth. But importantly, overall the water temperatures that we continue to record at every swim have been dropping. And seemingly, dropping quite fast. We’ve got to the time of year when inland water temperatures are roughly 5-6 ºC. Of course, everyone reacts slightly differently to these conditions, but for me, the following sensations have begun to creep in. I have to say before I list these, that I don’t wear boots and gloves, and stay in just ‘skins’ (a swimming costume) all year.
When I get to a swim destination, it is beautiful. Even if rain is dropping heavily on the water’s surface, or mist is fading at the end of the lake, or indeed, I’m night-swimming, and you can’t see much at all (!) I do begin to feel a bit nervous just before I go in. Like, ‘Can I do this?’ And I know perfectly well, that I can, but yes, a gentle fear sometimes seeps in for a minute or two.
And when I’m in, it was easier than I thought. I’ve set off, ‘ahhing’ and ‘oooing’, revelling that I’m in, I’ve done it, and its all okay! But the colder temperatures really make a difference to your body’s reaction to an increasingly combative environment. After a couple of minutes my toes and hands begin numbly stinging. Sometimes I experience some neck freeze or stinging shoulders, and I realise an urgency to acknowledge the scenery, the light and the soundscape in the present moment, as the swim itself will not last long. The whole experience becomes concentrated, undiluted in a large expanse of water. There is a focus, an effort, a strength to be summoned. Then a determination to notice the clarity and sounds of the water breaking in front of you, to notice the last remaining shimmering leaves on the trees surrounding you and be thankful for these rare moments in nature as the leanest autumn days roll away.
And in the spirit of making the most of my swim adventure that day, I had the pleasure of sharing the morning at Escape to the Lake with Kath, a work colleague who I don’t see often, despite living within twenty miles of each other. Kath is a warmer weather outdoor swimmer and when work commitments bring us together it doesn’t take long before we’re gabbing about swimming. I hadn’t realised that she had previously stopped swimming for the winter at around 10/11ºC. The Lake that morning was recording a water temperature of 5.5ºC – Kath was determined to meet the challenge.
It was a beautiful morning. Escape to the Lake is located at Riverlands Farm a few miles east of Worcester. Booking was very straightforward via the website, and it is worth noting that the E.T.T.L. team run a dog-free venue. After threading my way through pretty local villages, I arrived at the lake, slowing to a stop in the car park to allow a welcoming party of Guineafowl pass ahead of me.
We had booked a 10am slot on Sunday. The car park was busy but offered plenty of space. The Lake is surrounded by mature trees, mown lawns and wilder, more naturalistic landscaping. There was a gentle breeze; Willows were still clinging to their leafy tresses but the Cherries were bare. There was laughter in the distance and the atmosphere was natural, open and tranquil.
Kath and I made our way to the edge of the Lake where the owner, Pip, greeted us and made sure we were mentally prepared for the inevitable chill. Escape to the Lake is a large spring-fed lake, featuring two central islands. There are many areas where it is safe to stand and rest in the water, and we were supervised by a fully qualified lifesaving team.
The changing area is a large canvas stretch tent situated a short distance up the bank from the Lake. There’s a little cabin offering hot drinks and cakes to help yourself to, and an honesty box to reconcile accounts. Kath and I got changed quickly and made our way down to the water. The accessibility is good – a wooden set of steps with rope handrails either side, and once you’re in, there’s not a specific course to stick to, you’re free.
Kath was brilliant. I had already swum that weekend in 6.3ºC, but she entered the water slowly and assuredly, and no swearing! The ego-boost to know that ‘Yes, this is possible’ is not to be underestimated. Of course, a swim in temperatures below 5ºC is considered an ‘Ice Swim’ which sounds impressively hard-core.
Afterwards, we joined others warming up on benches around a welcoming firepit. There was a sense that there was no deadline; visitors can swim and stay, rewarm, chat, walk. Kath and I had a lovely time. She is now keen to continue winter swimming this year – it has that effect on you. Having a friend to swim with is enriching. Open water swimming allows you to share what you are feeling and witnessing in the present, intensifying the experience, a vital magic when heading into a season of shorter days. There are so many influences distracting us away from our natural world. A cold-water winter swim, particularly with a friend, feels like nature gripping you firmly by the shoulders and saying ‘Hey, wake up! Notice this! It’s important.’
Maybe that explains the sore shoulders…
