Trying a Swim Retreat in Cornwall 2024

I recently tried an amazing swim opportunity in Cornwall. I jumped at the chance to have a relaxing weekend away plus try lots of different swims.

A zoom call was arranged a few days before the trip with organisers Rich and Mel, to meet other people online. As a 'skins' swimmer I was interested to know how long the swims would be as I don't have a wetsuit. In the end I took a wetsuit jacket and swam in that when we did the Bossiney Cove swim as that was the longest swim. A whatsapp group was also set up to introduce ourselves and ask which wine we would prefer or the first night; red, white or rose!

We stayed in a lovely huge house on a stunning cliff side location overlooking the beautiful beaches of Widemouth Bay. This all-inclusive retreat ran from 1pm Friday to 1pm Sunday in an exclusive-use 16 bedroom sea view lodge, with private access to sandy beaches. I had a gorgeous room with a sea view.

After meeting together for a cup of tea and cake, we went on our first swim to Bude Sea Pool. This is a semi-natural tidal pool and is a safe haven for wild swimming on the edges of the Atlantic Ocean. We had a wonderful swim in the sea pool. The sun came out and we had a whale of a time swimming about. Some of us asked for help with swim strokes and others just wanted to bob around a bit and enjoy the sunshine!

The next morning was a 5.45am sunrise swim. There wasn’t enough water to cover the reef at our private beach so we went back to Bude. The water was lovely and still, such a contrast to the crashing, spilling waves in the sea behind us. The lovely Mel brought warm pain au chocs to the beach for us to enjoy after our dip! Amazing.

Back to our accommodation for a rest and then breakfast at 8.30. Home made granola, toast and breakfast baps with bacon, egg and avocado.

Then we were out around 10am to head to Bossiney Cove. For this swim I wore my wetsuit jacket (I don’t swim in a wetsuit usually) but wanted to add a little extra warmth. Tow floats and brightly coloured swim caps were needed for this wild swim. It’s a bit of a scramble so I wore wellies for the walk.

It was a precarious hike down to the bottom of the cliff but we spotted each other and went very slowly. Each part of the walk was risk assessed and we felt very safe. In the water there was rocks on the ground we had to maneouvre in like crabs! The water was choppy but amazing and so green. We swam together and some of us swam through little caves. It was tricky getting out of it again, I had to time it with the waves pushing me forward and just tread water whilst it pulled me back! You only went into the caves if you wanted to. The climb back up was a lot easier and we were greeted with home made millionaire's shortbread by Mel to enjoy with hot tea or coffee. I loved this swim and it was one of the best ones I've ever done!

Back home we had a warming lunch of pumpkin and carrot soup. In the afternoon there was a hike with a visit to the pub. I skipped the walk but went to the pub for a pint of Rattler cider! In the evening was a sunset swim in the sea. Having a rest in my lovely room with unlimited cups of tea I felt at absolute peace for the first time in ages. Dinner was home made pizzas followed by yummy home made crumble. 

The following morning was breakfast of crepes, granola and tea. Then we packed up and went off for the final swim at St Nectars Glen waterfall. Such an amazing end to a great weekend.

Which is what I love about adventure holidays like this, you can come on your own or with friends and be surrounded by like-minded people. I would definitely do this again.

This holiday was run by The Wild Swimming Co, who offers incredible swimming holidays and events at iconic locations around the UK. Their next retreats coming up at The Spring Swim Retreat at Studland & Durdle Door, 10 - 12 April 2024. Plus Corfe Castle, Dorset on 26 - 28 April 2024. Find out more at www.thewildswimming.co.uk/book