About swimming at Lynford Water
Lynford Water is made up of two lakes, the older one to the west is known as the ‘Conservation Lake’, and the one straight in front of you and to the right when you leave the car park is called the ‘Public Lake’. These were originally sand quarries, then returned to public use once quarrying ended. There are several beaches – see maps below – with some shallow water then dropping into deep water. The water is very clean, and other than the effect of a windy day there are no currents.
(Note: these are not ‘Lynford Lakes’; those are not swimmable.)
New FAQ on Lynford Water published, https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/lynford-water-frequently-asked-questions. Forestry England, the landowner, has explained that they get a lot of questions about what you can or can’t do at Lynford, and it makes it easier for them to put all the answers in one place. The section on swimming begins:
“We do acknowledge there is open water swimming on site. Forestry England have undertaken a risk assessment for open water swimming and have taken a risk-based approach.”
The old No Swimming wording on some signs is due to be replaced and can be disregarded.
Please follow the Outdoor Swimmers Code, which outlines ways you can be responsible for your own safety, consider others and respect the environment, www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/outdoor-swimmerscode. Please also be aware of overcrowding, the impact on the environment, local communities, car parking, and consider going somewhere else if it is very busy. Parking is likely to be quite tight on summer days, so please consider car sharing, being dropped off, cycling or walking in from other locations if you can.
Please stay away from the bird hide and tern nesting platforms, any other nesting birds, and do nothing to harm wildlife.
No barbecues or fires at any time.
The landowner has agreed that a small scale paddleboard company can run lessons and supervised sessions on either of the lakes (not both at the same time). The landowner’s wardens will ask people not part of this who are boating, paddle boarding or using inflatables to leave the water.
Using inflatable craft can be more unsafe than swimming, even near the shore as inflatable boats can be blown out into the lake, and those on them could fall into deep water, might not be used to cool water or aware of issues of cold water shock or cold incapacitation, or could be non-swimmers or weak swimmers or children, and this could be a problem if they do not have buoyancy aids or lifejackets on. Some safety info on SUPs here, https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2021/sup-safety-week-all-you-need-to-know-to-stay-safe-on-the-water.
It is easier to disturb wildlife or go into more environmentally sensitive areas if using boats or inflatable on the lakes.
The paddleboard operator is very accommodating and friendly and has no wish to restrict swimming or get in swimmers way. His website refers to Lynford as a wild swimming location, https://www.watsuppaddleboards.co.uk/our-story. He is there all day several days a week, and his presence seems already to have been helpful in reducing antisocial behaviour.
The Lynford Water FAQ covers paddleboarding and other craft. It also covers fishing, camping, lighting fires and barbecues.
Key concerns for landowners are antisocial behaviour such as littering, damaging trees, which unfortunately do occur at times. Many swimmers often tidy up some of the litter and report issues.
Report serious issues, especially barbecues or fires – 999 if urgent, and ask for Fire and Rescue, 101 if not urgent, or if you see any fishing, nets or lines, or boats that look as if they might be being used for fishing, please contact Environment Agency, 0800 80 70 60 (24 hour).
There is a local informal swimming group in the area, and it’s a good place to find updates and meet others: all welcome to join the Outdoor Swimming in Breckland group https://www.facebook.com/groups/453608638711081/
Page updated May 2022.
Directions to entry points
Spit, Conservation Lake
1 . Walk down to the lakes, towards the beach. At the beach, turn left through a gap in the hedge, go diagonally to the left, then left down the promontory. Enter from one of the beaches to your right. Shallow entry, then very soon shelves to deep water.
Public Lake
You can also swim in the other lake. This is shallower, has more weed in summer, and has more wildlife.
- Best is the beach past the little hill with pines on it.
- or the entry on the left from the first beach you come to
Directions
In Mundford take the road signposted to Lynford Hall for about a mile, and you will see the car park on the left, opposite the Arboretum.
Go to the end of the car park furthest from the entrance.
Nearest Post Code:
IP26 5HW
Beach 1:
Lat,Long 52.51 9569,0.680084
Nat Grid: TL81 9946
what3words: lousy.tops.nothing
Beach 2:
Lat,Long: 52.51 941 8,0.685543
Grid Ref: TL823946
what3words: ruling.nappy.ridiculed
Note: Don’t confuse these lakes with the Lynford Lakes. The one by the arboretumand hotel is very shallow and not swimmable, though the Zigzag lake might be possible.