Reservoir swimming in the UK

Reservoirs tend to get overlooked. They don't have the romance of a Highland loch or the drama of a coastal cove, but what they often have is excellent swimming — deep, clear water, well-managed access, and a regular community who know exactly what they're doing. Many UK reservoirs have opened formally for swimming in recent years, with buoyed routes and safety cover. Others remain informal spots where local swimmers have gone for decades without fanfare. The spots in this list span both kinds.