3 d. ago Gorgeous walk with stunning views over beauty spot is just an hour from London

The walk is just as magical as the sunflower farm offering sweeping views over the rolling Chiltern Hills, woodlands, a deer park and a National Trust House once linked to a king

Politics

7 d. ago ‘It’s a disaster’: drought measure to suck water from River Wharfe met with anger

Campaigners accuse Yorkshire Water of negligence and say plan to top up reservoirs will kill the river’s fishWith its pebble beach and shallow areas for paddling, the River Wharfe at Ilkley has long been a popular swimming location in the pretty Yorkshire town. But plagued by sewage and agricultural runoff, the river has been designated as “poor” quality, and a sign has been put up warning people against bathing in it. And now, the health of the river has been put further at risk with emergency drought plans by Yorkshire Water to suck water from it to top up its reservoirs.A drive by campaigners and wild swimmers led it in 2021 to be the first in the country to get designated bathing status – meaning the government tests it for the harmful E coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Scotland's best wild swimming spots crowned as 'magical' pools top list

Another beauty spot was said to have "the clearest water" in the country.

Politics

2 w. ago How a marine heatwave is threatening Australia’s spectacular coral reefs

One of the longest and most intense heat stress events ever recorded is raising alarm – and a warning about the future of reefs worldwide• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here to get the newsletter in fullWhen it comes to coral, the Great Barrier Reef steals the global limelight. It’s a bucket-list place for many and, when it gets hit by coral bleaching, it makes news around the world.But Australia has another group of spectacular reefs on the west of the continent. Many of them had managed to escape the worst of global heating, until the worst marine heatwave ever recorded for this region. Even a “hope spot” for coral reefs has been decimated by the most severe heatwave on record for that part of the world.WA’s ‘longest and most intense’ marine heatwave killed coral across 1,500km stretch‘If the reef had a voice, it would sing’: could legal personhood help the Great Barrier Reef?Fears for South Australia’s annual cuttlefish gathering amid deadly algal bloom...

Events

3 w. ago Escape the heatwave with the 10 best wild swimming spots within an hour of London

Feeling the heat? These are the best swimming spots within easy reach of the capital by train, tube and car

Politics

3 w. ago Six things everyone needs to know before wild swimming in Scotland

Summertime is the best time of year to brave the sea or open water, but there are a few things to bear in mind if you're thinking of taking the plunge

Politics

3 w. ago Revolting health problem infecting wild swimmers. I ended up in hospital from it... this is why you must NEVER put your head under the water now

For the past ten years Kim Hilton has been a regular and enthusiastic 'wild' swimmer, often taking dips along the banks of the River Wye near where he lives.

Science

3 w. ago Wild swimming and TikTok dances: Hiroshima today – in pictures

Aya Fujioka set out to shake the weight of history from her home city and capture her own relationship with it. But she couldn’t help picking up echoes from the past Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago One of UK's 'best wild swimming spots' has beautiful waterfalls and clear waters

There are plenty of beautiful wild swimming spots in the UK but there's one breathtaking spot that's worth having on your radar if you like to avoid the crowds

Politics