Wild Swim Retreats Yorkshire
Connecting through water, walks and wellbeing
Our retreats offer a fully immersive outdoor experience allowing you to re-connect with nature and shrug off the cares and stresses of modern life. Whether you join us for one day or on one of our weekend retreats, our aim is to bring people together to spend time in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Through a combination of scenic walks, idyllic swim spots, delicious home-cooked food and a holistic approach to wellbeing coaching, we promise that you will return home feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and uplifted.
About Us
The idea for Wild Swim Retreats Yorkshire came to us as we hiked between idyllic waterfalls in a remote valley in the Yorkshire Dales on a hot June day. The walk was part of the research for Wild Swimming Walks Yorkshire, and included a handful of enthusiastic swim walkers, united through a love of walking, wild swimming and the outdoors. The overall feeling was one of exhilaration as we dipped, chatted, laughed and forged friendships throughout the day. Heather and I had previously met at the swimming ponds at Pool Bridge Farm near York, however, it was on this walk, against the stunning backdrop of the Swaledale scenery, that our connection deepened. As we chatted, we pondered how we might combine our expertise and passion for getting outside to re-create the feel-good factor of that day and hence Wild Swim Retreats Yorkshire was born.
We look forward to welcoming you onto one of our retreats.
Sarah and Heather
Our Team
Heather Simpson
Heather brings over three decades of professional experience as a qualified coach and registered therapist to Wild Swim Retreats Yorkshire. Her holistic approach combines evidence-based therapeutic and coaching practices with the healing power of nature. Her expertise in supporting individual wellness, coupled with her understanding of nature’s restorative benefits, creates transformative experiences for retreat participants. Heather is a qualified mental health first aider.
Image ©Jonny Walton
Sarah Banks
Sarah is a writer, photographer and author of Wild Swimming Walks Yorkshire and Wild Guide North East England. As a wild swimmer she has explored several of the wildest stretches of the rivers, waterfalls and coastline of Yorkshire and the North East. She is passionate about the health benefits of both walking and wild swimming and has carefully curated each of our wild swim walks, which are all places she has personally swum many times before. Sarah is a qualified outdoor first aider.
Walking and Wild Swimming Safety
Walking and wild swimming are not dangerous pursuits and we choose our retreat locations with our guests’ safety in mind. However, neither activity is without its risks. We will always make decisions according to local weather conditions, water levels and flow. It is also important to take responsibility for yourself, to know your limits and to inform us of any health issues that may affect your ability to participate in any of the activities.
