Wild Swim2Sauna Safari Tipis

There’s a tingly feeling that wild swimmers describe when they’ve been for a dip — and a cold-water smile that goes with it. If you know that sensation, just reading about it has probably got you wondering when you can next take the plunge. Our suggestion? Book a stay at WildSwim2Sauna Safari Tipis. This camping and glamping site in a wooded valley in Devon gives you access to a river you can swim in all day long and the chance to book in at the site’s natural spa. And if you’re not yet familiar with that tingly, grin-inducing feeling that everyone seems to be talking about, this is a good place to find it.

With riverside meadows and a location not far from the South Devon coast at Salcombe, this place is not just for wild swimmers but they're often the ones who love it here most. You’ll certainly need to have a love of the outdoors and nature. That’s what it’s all about. Whether you're pitching your own tent or staying in one of the site’s tipis, it’s an off-grid experience with compost loos, al fresco showers, communal campfires and limited mobile phone signal. In the camping field, where you can pitch where you please, you’ll feel that the most. In the glamping field, there’s a safari-camp vibe; outdoorsy but with a few more conveniences laid on. Tipis offer made-up beds and there’s a shared communal kitchen in an Airstream caravan but it’s still got a back-to-basics ethos, inspired by owner Charles’ stays in far-flung places around the world.

That much is evident when you meet him. He pops around to the camping and glamping meadows a couple of times a day to check on his guests. Should you opt to book in for the WildSwim2Sauna experience (and you probably should), he’ll guide you through that too. Despite what he might say to the contrary, he seems to be Devon’s version of Wim Hof, enthusiastically encouraging guests to follow his guidelines for a detox and purification process. Do it and you’ll find yourself alternating between the hot air of a Finnish sauna and the cold water of the River Avon… finishing with a long dip in the hot tub. Charles, who does this five times a week says it boosts the immune system. At the very least it gives you that grin.

The WildSwim2Sauna experience is an optional extra but without it you can still swim in the river or walk alongside it for miles within this private 146-acre estate. There’s plenty more wild walking and swimming in Dartmoor National Park, 15 minutes’ drive from here, and on the South Devon Coast. The beach and lovely coastal views and walks at Salcombe are a 25-minute drive away and Dartmouth is just a tiny bit further.