Wild swimming in Britain

When planning a weekend away in the British countryside, most people opt for some kind of activity, such as camping, hiking or cycling. But not many choose to swim in the wild, says Kate Rew in the Observer, which is a shame, because on a "swim safari", you can explore the UK's landscapes from the different vantage points of "sea, river, lake and lido".

Rew's trip to Yorkshire started off in the caves at Thornwick Bay on Flamborough Head, where puffins and gannets breed, and tunnels lead from the headland to

a huge cavern with a spiral roof, "bright green with algae", like a "natural rendition of a Cathedral dome". This was followed by a journey inland to perform daredevil leaps from a bridge over the weir at Kirkham Priory – a renowned jumping spot – then later, a dip at the Lido at Ilkley, in the "bright blue glow of a man-made pool".

Afterwards, at the nearby pub, a pint and a plate of chips had "never tasted better". The landlord even allows swimmers to hang their wetsuits on the pub's rotary drier.

Kate Rew's book on outdoor swimming in the UK, Wild Swim: River, Lake, Lido and Sea, is published by Guardian Books at £16.99.