Weekend swim retreat: Campwild Campout

Rowan Clarke packed her camping gear for a weekend of wild camping by a lake in the Malvern Hills

Amid right to roam court cases and right to swim protests, CampWild has found a more collaborative way to unlock previously inaccessible land for wild camping. Access to nature is a huge barrier to people enjoying wild spaces. But, through its work with landowners, CampWild is breaking through those barriers, allowing everyone from solo hikers to families more opportunity to connect with the natural world.

CampWild also organises Campouts. Loosely structured around wellbeing activities like wild swimming, paddleboarding, yoga, breathwork, talks and time around the campfire, these Campouts also facilitate social connection. We joined a Campout at the stunning Riverlands Farm ‘Escape to the Lake’ in the beautiful Malvern Hills.

The accommodation

CampWild’s carefully curated directory of wild campsites offers beautiful, secluded locations, many of which have barely seen human life in decades. Escape to the Lake is one such place. Having grown up on his family’s farm, Will Orgee has lovingly nurtured the land, putting wildlife first. Although only 20 minutes from Worcester, it’s a haven of wildflower meadows, ponds teeming with life, woodland and a beautiful swimming lake. Arriving mid-morning, we were greeted by a hare – a wonderful moment. We set up camp in a carefully mown clearing surrounded by wild grasses, ponds, trees and fields.

We pitched our tents in a sociable circle around firepits and a communal gazebo. Our vibrant orange Vango Classic Instant 300 tent popped up easily giving us plenty of space for an incredibly comfortable Vango Arcadia Grande XL mat and enough swimming gear for several swims. The best bit about this nifty little tent is being able to open up the back doors and brew a morning cuppa overlooking the pond with just the swans for company.

As the name suggests, wild camping means minimal facilities. We had a (very clean) portaloo, a tap supplying fresh water and a drum for a fire. Will supplied firewood, but otherwise, you bring everything you need. You can use CampWild’s ‘wild grading’ when booking, so you know exactly what to expect – and what to bring.

The swimming

Having been greeted by CampWild’s cofounder and excellent host, Tom, we walked through the wood to the swimming lake. Looked after by Will and Ellen from Red Equipment who supplied paddleboards and the cosiest changing robes known to humankind, we enjoyed a blissful swim around the lake.

The balance between wild immersion and safe swimming is perfect. Entry is by steps into waist-deep water and there’s a Monet-esque bridge to one of the islands, but otherwise, the lake is completely natural. You need a tow float (which you can borrow), and Pip and Will provide watchful but unobtrusive lifeguarding.

As we swam loops around two small islands in the middle of the lake, we spotted the resident greylag geese swimming in the drifting blossom – the only geese that are native to the UK, Tom tells us. Having once been a fishing lake, there are still some underwater residents, but the lake has largely been reclaimed by its natural inhabitants.

The food

This is wild camping, so the food is what you make. Campers can bring camping stoves and off-the-ground firepits to rustle up whatever delights they fancy.

Among the campers at the Riverlands Farm Campout was Tye, whose camping culinary skills went well beyond the standard pot noodles. Using a portable barbecue, we tried his Wagu cheeseburgers and mushroom risotto – he really showed us what’s possible to cook with minimal facilities.

In the evening, we shared obligatory smores around the firepits while Blue Health coach, Lizzi Larbalestier shared her wisdom about the wellbeing benefits of being in blue spaces.

The best of the rest

The beautiful woodfired sauna that overlooks the lake was a real treat after a night under canvas. Large enough to comfortably seat 10-12 people, we enjoyed contrasting sauna with cooling dips in the lake. This was followed by yoga led by Lizzi in the pagoda on one of the lake’s small islands.

Bringing together these soulful, wellness treats with the fun of mucking around on paddleboards, chatting around the campfire and spotting wildlife was the perfect blend of goodness.

It’s also an ideal environment for socialising. You don’t have to socialise, and you can go to Campouts with your friends or family. But if you are adventuring solo, it’s the perfect setting in which to make new friends – conversation is easy and Tom is a super host.

There was a broad mix of ages and backgrounds, including young people on their first adventure without their parents, campers who had left their non-camping partners at home, couples with and without children, new and experienced wild campers. Everyone’s equally welcome.

Our fave thing

Waking up early to the sound of birdsong, brewing a cuppa, putting on swim kit and a hug of a changing robe, and wandering through the woods to the lakeside sauna. If only we could live like that forever.

Rowan stayed with Camp Wild UK, campwild.uk, using camping kit kindly supplied by Vango, vango.co.uk