Monday 27 March (bank holiday)
10.00 Outwell, about a mile out of it to the East on the A1122 towards Nordelph, park just across a little bridge across the river before the drain. There is easy access using a slipway into the Well Creek if you want to swim across the aqueduct, and it is possible to get out the other side, though not always easy, and in summer the water can be yucky or weedy as it is relatively shallow. For the Middle Level Main Drain there are several options where to go in, depending on weeds, nettles, litter, anglers.
There is another possibility for access to the Middle Level, which is to drive (or walk along the banks) to Pingle Bridge where you can park and there are nine sets of steps and fishing platforms. Avoid the ones nearest the bridge, as it is notorious for dumping bikes etc. One set of steps is properly made and reserved for a 95-year-old angler, who obviously has priority. Several of the others give easy access, though you do need shoes with good soles and you need to be prepared to stand on organic matter to get out. The water’s lovely once you get in.
12.00 Dog in a Doublet, just along from the sluice, the other side from the pub, where there are steps for entry
Nearby pub, Dog in a Doublet
2.00 Gildenburg diving lake
Gildenburgh Water, Eastrea Road, Whittlesey, Cambs PE7 2AR Tel: 01733 351288
The official postcode is PE7 2AR but it doesn’t take you to the entrance on most satnavs. Enter 52.33.24.00N and 0.6.24.00W into your satnav to get straight here. Directions/contacts. See map above
There’s a form to fill in, easiest before you go, read about and download from their website, and they require either wetsuit or tow float.
4.00 Peterborough lido (open 9-7) Bishops Road, Peterborough. PE1 1YY, 01733 864 761
6.00 Milton Ferry Bridge, Nene Valley. Parking down the road marked with orange dots NW of the bridge
(then you can walk over to Gunwade lake)
Find location info for all 21 swims in the Places section
And I revisited most of these on my Lincs & Fens trip in July