Although the popularity of wild swimming continues to rise, those new to the pastime may be left wondering where to start.

According to Google, there have been 120,900 searches for wild swimming over the course of 2020-2021, up by 70% from the 71,200 searches made in 2019-2020. 

Due to this increased interest, building company David Wilson Homes (DWH) has done some research into the best places to go for a dip in the great outdoors.

Topping the list is Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park, just down the road from the lively little town of Dulverton in Somerset.

Coming in at number nine is Tanners Lane Beach on the New Forest National Park coast, three miles east of Lymington.

Daily Echo: Wild swimming has grown in popularity in the UK. Picture: PAWild swimming has grown in popularity in the UK. Picture: PA

To create the list, DWH looked on wildswimming.co.uk for the wild swimming locations with the most five-star reviews. From this, they gathered additional data on each location from Tripadvisor and National Trust to discover close by facilities.

Using this data, they have come up with a list of their nine favourite places for wild swimming – and here they are.

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Nine best wild swimming locations in the UK

Daily Echo:

1. Tarr Steps, Exmoor National Park

Just down the road from Dulverton in Somerset, Tarr Steps is an iconic location to visit within Exmoor National Park and is a popular choice with children looking for a paddle.

2. Minster Lovell in Windrush, Oxfordshire

This spot is a shallow river in a scenic location. At Minster Lovell the water is just over one metre deep and incredibly clear.

3. Lugg Meadow in Herefordshire

Situated just outside of Hereford, its winding waters make it a perfect place to cool off in the summer.

4. River Chelmer in Essex

The River Chelmer in Essex is a popular spot providing a picturesque walk once the swim is over.

5. The Wash Pool in Irfon, Powys

This area boasts a pleasant picnic spot and is a hidden gem in the Welsh countryside. It holds a wide, open pool which those in the know have made use of for some time.

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6. Watkin Path in Gwynedd

The second Welsh location to make the list is Watkin Path which can be found in Gwynedd. It encompasses an extended series of pools and falls nearby Snowdon, which has proved to be popular with walkers.

7. Loup Scar in the Yorkshire Dales

Heading north you can find Loup Scar, set among the Yorkshire Dales alongside a grassy riverside.

8. Soldier's Leap in Perthshire

Representing Scotland, Soldier's Leap in Perthshire has a beautiful wide gorge opening out into a large, still river pond.

9. Tanners Lane Beach in Hampshire

Situated on the New Forest National Park coast, Tanners Lane Beach is described by DWH as a "great location for pool swimming", with a long stretch of beach to the east of this location.