Any Wild Swimming in and around Hampshire / Dorset

[Matt241]

Just wondering if there are any wild swimming sites in or around Hampshire / Dorset that you can suggest?

We would love nothing more than pitching up at a site that has somewhere where the kids can paddle and the Mrs and I can have a dip on these hot days.

Many thanks

Matt

[roosmith]

The sea in Hampshire in Dorset is quite nice

Lulworth Cove is sheltered and spot on, not sure of anywhere in land.

[Gasy]

Get one of those blow up paddling pools
Sorted where ever you are pitched

[roosmith]

One year at Download festival a 7 tonne truck turned up in the camper field. Then proceeded to pull out a leather 3 piece suite, gazebo and one of those massive paddling pools. They had several of those industrial 1000 litre containers in the back to fill it!

It did look quite the set up!

[Gasy]

We've taken sofas , coffe tables , tall lamps , and wardrobes full of wood to glastonbury
It is nice to sit round a big campfire
On a sofa after a hard night
And of course they can be used for firewood if you run low towards the end

[cavey]

http://www.eweleaze.co.uk/

Short walk down the cliff to the beach, but only open in August, this is our favourite site, and we're off there on Monday....yipppeeeeee!

[New Forest Terrier]

The River Blackwater at Brockenhurst by the Balmer Lawn Hotel is a traditional swimming and paddling spot. Its not far from Holmsley Camping in the Forest Site.

Durdle Door by Lullworth cove has a nearby campsite. Swanage has a gorgeous beach and a ring of campsites. The nearest is tents only though. Tom's field at Corfe Mullen is highly recommended and rather magical, dells and hidden corners. Close to the coastal path. Cliffs though not beaches.

[Matt241]

Thank you for the replies. We have been to Swanage, Durdle Door and Tom's Field before so we are familiar with what is in the area.
Brokenhurst is always very busy by the Balmer Lawn and I don't think it's good for swimming unless you go further up or down the river, more for paddling.

[mikeonb4c]

My old stomping ground. Skinnydipping at Studland beach at midnight with the car ferry just leaving Poole Harbour, it's lights looming large over us. Summer of '76. I had an old MG ZB Varitone Magnette. Happy days.

[Snoozie]

Ahhhhh ......... nostalgia. I was only thinking yesterday that the great weather this summer reminds me of '76.

I used to skinny dip but now I chunky dunk

[Snoozie]

I haven't been to this place - Pamphill near Wimborne, but it looks nice if you fancy a river swim.

http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/map/pamphill/

[Diplomat]

My old stomping ground. Skinnydipping at Studland beach at midnight with the car ferry just leaving Poole Harbour, it's lights looming large over us. Summer of '76. I had an old MG ZB Varitone Magnette. Happy days.

Skinnydipping at Studland Beach shouldn't count!

You need to wear swimwear there if you want to be different.

To that end, I like to shout "Get your kit on" when driving past such locations.


Frank

(edit) ...and may I say how much I've enjoyed my swimming so far this summer! Barely missed a day.

[New Forest Terrier]

Not wild swimming but there are two Lidos operational this Summer in South Hampshire.

The vast seawater pool at Lymington. One of the oldest in the country, great fun for kids with a big shallow area but deep enough elsewhere for some serious swimming. Last time I was there they had zorbing on the boat end. Its big enough for swimmers and kayaks at the two different ends.

The wonderful news is that Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth is open again after having been nearly lost for good. Its the first season for the main pool although the splash pool has been open for kids for some time. Its a thirties lido, though much mauled about and reduced in size and depth. So many of these Lidos were closed on the basis of a short season ignoring all the divers, kayaks and all other water based sports who can use them a lot of the year.