Stanklyn Pool

Wild swimming enthusiasts have been making pilgrimages to this woodland pool near Kidderminster for decades, though finding it requires proper determination. The water stays bracingly cold even in summer - we're talking proper teeth-chattering stuff that'll wake you up faster than any espresso.

Tucked away in dense Worcestershire woodland, Stanklyn Pool demands a decent walk through sometimes muddy paths before you earn your dip. The reward is a sizeable natural swimming hole surrounded by mature trees, with water clear enough to see your toes (mostly). Local folklore suggests the pool has healing properties, though I'd settle for it being refreshingly free of crowds on most weekdays.

Families with young children might find the access challenging and the water temperature unforgiving. This is really one for hardy swimmers and wild swimming converts who don't mind a bit of adventure to reach their destination. The lack of facilities means bringing everything you need, including a towel you won't mind getting muddy.

Allow at least two hours for the round trip and swimming time. Spring and summer offer the most pleasant approach walks, though the water temperature barely budges between seasons. For those staying at nearby sites like Wolverley Camping or Lincomb Lock, it makes a proper day out combined with woodland walking in the surrounding Worcestershire countryside.