September in the open water community

Nowca reveals a new swimming venue in the Worcestershire countryside, and Mental Health Swims share why autumn is the ideal time to join a local swim group

NOWCA: More water in Worcestershire!

Adam and Steve Jones: We’re excited to share that open water swimming has now arrived at Orchard Holiday Park & Fishery, a family-run spot tucked away in the Worcestershire countryside just a few miles from Tenbury Wells.

For years, our park has been a peaceful retreat for anglers, walkers, and wildlife watchers. Now, with the support of NOWCA, our 0.3-acre ‘nursery’ pool is open to swimmers, too. A swim loop of up to 130 metres is available, and every session is lifeguarded to keep things safe and welcoming. Getting in and out is simple, with a gentle slope and handrail leading you into the water.

We’re starting with Monday and Friday evening sessions, 6-8pm, but there’s room to grow as more people join in. On site, you’ll find parking, toilets, showers, and space to change, though we do suggest arriving swim-ready if you can.

It’s a calm, rural setting where you can enjoy fresh air, a steady swim, and maybe spot the odd trout gliding past. For us, it’s about offering a safe place for people to enjoy the water, meet others, and be part of a local swimming community.

Book a swim with us via the ACTiO app – we’d love to see you!

Download the NOWCA Wild app and follow the ORCHARD HOLIDAY PARK & FISHERY group for updates.

Mental Health Swims: Autumn is a great time to join a local swim community

September is a great time of year for getting into the water; the water temperature has been building up over the summer and the air is still warm too. It’s also a great time to join a community group that you can lean on for support as we move into autumn and winter, which is when things can generally start to feel a bit harder.

If you’d like to join a Mental Health Swims group, check out our Swim Map to find out where your nearest group is. If there isn’t a group in your local area but you fancy setting up your own, get in touch to find out more about our volunteer Swim Host role at hello@mentalhealthswims.co.uk

Mental Health Swims is an award-winning, mental health peer support community. We host free, safe and inclusive swim meet ups nationwide. We welcome anyone along to our swim meet ups and we are proud to have more than 100 swim locations UK-wide and beyond. Participants can swim, dip, paddle or toe-dip and can do what they are most comfortable with. We are firmly focused on dips, not distance; community, not competition.