This was the itinerary for my final monthly swim trek in East Anglia in six months of swims to mark the year I become 60), drawn up with other members of the Outdoor Swimming in Breckland Facebook group and visitors from Fenland Inland Swimming Heros FB group, and revised during the weekend. Do sponsor me if you would like to
Location info (ordered by rivers)
Quick report of the swims
You can read about my earlier trips in East Anglia in the Swims section of this website. This journey was an opportunity to promote the lovely waterways in this part of East Anglia, and for local swimmers (and visitors to the area) to swim together at our own risk (in line with the Outdoor Swimming Society’s philosophy of each taking responsibility for our own safety). Or to watch from the bank or you can sponsor me if you would like to
As the waters will now be getting colder, it is worth reading up on swimming in cool water, especially if unfamiliar with outdoor swimming in autumn. Some links on this website (see towards end of page).
It was also an opportunity to celebrate the news that there will be funding for two projects to discover the history and promote safe and environmentally friendly outdoor swimming into the future! (From the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of a wider set of projects about the watery landscape of Breckland). You can read more about this on the separate OS Brecks section of this website
Itinerary
Fri 4 Oct pm (REVISED)
(14.00 Hilborough)
14.30 a lake near Mundford
15.45 Ickburgh
(16.45 Didlington)
17.30 a lake near Watton
Sat 5 Oct
(09.00 Nuns’ Bridges/Thetford Lido river pool)
10.00 Two Mile Bottom
11.30 St Helen’s picnic place, Santon Downham
13.30 Brandon Sluice/Staunch
14.45 Barton Mills *
(15.45 Mildenhall – explore)
17.00 Soham Tunnel Drove *
Sun 6 Oct
09.00 Hockwold Common *
11.30 lake near Mundford *
16.00 coffee, swim Jude’s Ferry
17.00 Isleham *
Mon 7 Oct am
09.00 Cavenham explore
10.30 Barton Mills *
12.00 Icklingham
(13.15 Barnham Cross Common)
(Quick look at another spot near Thetford lido)
(Dropped: 13.00 Knettishall Heath)
* = place for a ‘proper’ swim
(paddle/explore/dip unlikely)
Location info (ordered by rivers)
On my swim treks I don’t do long or fast swims, especially as it’s getting colder, but this is possible in some of the locations for those that do want to. Other spots are only suitable for a dip or a paddle. I know most of these places; some will be new spots.
You can apply to join the Facebook group, Outdoor Swimming in Breckland, if you’d like to find out more about swimming in the area.
[swim log 114.5-128]