Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
It's early morning on a Saturday and instead of emerging from under the duvet sporting a raging hangover like I used to in my 20s, I'm cold water swimming in a large lake. As much as I used to roll my eyes at anything I perceived as woo-woo, I'm now part of a growing cohort concerned with wellness, and instead of slamming sambuca shots, I book sauna sessions and ice bath dips like a budget Gwyneth Paltrow. Nineteen-year-old me is judging so hard.
Like many women my age (25 and some years), it's safe to say that I am fully in my wellness era. Sambuca shots have been swapped for wood-fired saunas and outdoor swimming, and I even found myself Googling 'Vinyasa yoga near me'. Shudder.
I've now dipped and sweated in saunas in many lovely locations in Wales and just across the border. One of my most recent finds is a large lake surrounded by rolling countryside - Court Farm Lakes.
This lovely swim spot is just a 45-minute drive from Cardiff in Gloucestershire. Here you can take part in swimming, cold water immersion & BYO paddleboarding sessions. There's also weekly lakeside yoga and fitness sessions, along with special events.
I've come for a relaxing swim and am delighted that the weather is clear and the water looks inviting.
Court Farm offers a secluded swim surrounded by greenery, and so I came for a dip with a pal who's also on a health kick after what I call our "Barcardi party years."
The lakes offer hour-long swimming sessions, which must be booked in advance, from Wednesday to Sunday, costing just £10 per person for non-members.
There are dedicated men-only and women-only sessions, LGBTQ+ sessions, and "clothing optional" sessions for swimmers who don't mind a dip in their birthday suit -- as nature intended.
In addition to swimming, you can participate in cold water immersion and paddleboard on the still waters.
Owners Jo and Nix take further advantage of the beautiful setting by putting on weekly lakeside yoga and fitness sessions. There is even a small barrel sauna with space for six people.
After checking in at the on-site cafe and hiring mandatory tow floats, we got changed and dived in. The water was surprisingly balmy for late August, and soon, we were doing languid breast strokes and paddling past ducks.
I could feel the stress evaporate as I swam lengths listening to distant birdsong. Possibly another side effect of being an elder millennial is that, along with saunas, I'm now increasingly interested in birds. I'll be out with the binoculars next, trying to spot Kingfishers.
I honestly think if you want to connect meaningfully with nature, nothing can melt away your worries like slowly wading into cold water in a quiet, natural setting. Trust me, you won't think about whether you filed that finance report when the water is a bracing 15 degrees.
Apart from scenic surroundings, the health and well-being benefits of taking a cold water plunge are alleged to include an immune system boost, better sleep, improved stress response and increased happiness.
As long as you're a competent swimmer and know your limits, this is a superb swim activity for anyone looking to improve mindfulness and de-stress.
Our allotted hour flew by, and it was soon time to wrap up in Dryrobes (of course, I own one) and warm up at the cafe.
The small cafe serves food, hot drinks, and snacks during all swim sessions, but it is only open to swimmers or people accompanying swimmers. It's got an expansive outdoor seating area where you can unwind with coffee, hot chocolate, and a selection of snacks. I really recommend the sausage roll; it was utterly divine.
The hot chocolate is also really lovely, topped with cream and marshmallows, perfect for warming you up after a big swim.
As we left, more people arrived, possibly hoping for the same blissful post-swim relaxation I was now experiencing. I'm a wellness girlie now, and I can't wait to get stuck into my next swimming session.
For more information and booking, visit the Court Farm Lakes website.