The Wilda Team Joins the Kinder Unbound Protest Swim
Yesterday, under sunny skies at Chew Valley Lake, the Wilda team joined dozens of other passionate advocates for a protest swim in support of the Right to Roam movement. This local event served as a satellite demonstration connected to the larger Kinder Unbound national campaign, which calls for expanded public access to Britain's natural spaces.
Why We Participated
The Right to Roam movement isn't simply about recreation—it represents a fundamental shift in how we view our relationship with nature and with each other. As it stands, only about 8% of land in England is freely accessible to the public, with even more severe restrictions on inland waterways. The Wilda team believes that our natural heritage- -our lakes, rivers, woodlands, and countryside - should be accessible to everyone, not just those who own the land.
Water access is particularly important to us. When water was privatised in 1991, access to water for the public's recreation was explicitly promised, yet swimmers have been excluded from this agreement. This broken promise has resulted in decreased public access to many of our most beautiful blue spaces, with corporations and private landowners effectively controlling who can enjoy these natural resources.
Wild swimming provides immeasurable physical and mental health benefits, creates community connections, and fosters environmental stewardship. When people can access and enjoy natural spaces, they're more likely to protect them. The current restrictions not only deny people these benefits but also contradict the very commitments made during privatisation.
The Swim
Arriving at Chew Valley Lake, we were immediately struck by the diverse group that had gathered - families with children, experienced wild swimmers, environmental activists, and community members of all ages and backgrounds. The atmosphere buzzed with purpose and camaraderie.
After a brief introduction from Outdoor Swimming Society founder Kate Rew, and Bristol Harbour Swims (successful) lead campaigner Johnny Palmer, explaining the safety protocols (all swimmers swam at their own risk) and the significance of the event, swimmers entered the water together in a powerful display of collective action. Everyone shared a common mission: to highlight the need for more equitable access to our blue spaces.
The atmosphere was fun, friendly and welcoming - and the sauna on the shore was a real highlight, with the conversations continuing onshore afterwards.
The Bigger Picture
The Kinder Unbound campaign draws its name and inspiration from the historic Kinder Scout Mass Trespass of 1932, when hundreds of ramblers deliberately walked on private land in the Peak District to protest lack of access to open country. That act of civil disobedience eventually led to the creation of national parks and expanded access rights.
Today's movement seeks to build on that legacy by advocating for:
- Expanded Right to Roam legislation that includes woodlands, rivers, and lakes
- Better protection for existing access rights
- Educational initiatives about responsible nature access
- Recognition of nature access as a public health resource
Moving Forward
For Wilda, yesterday's swim was part of our ongoing commitment to environmental and social responsibility. We believe that businesses have an important role to play in advocating for sustainable and equitable relationships with our natural world.
We'll continue to support the Right to Roam campaign and if you're interested in learning more about the movement or getting involved, we encourage you to visit the Right to Roam campaign website, read the Outdoor Swimming Society Right to Swim Manifesto or join a local event.
Together, we can ensure that our natural spaces are preserved, protected, and accessible for generations to come.
Check out more videos and photos of the swim on our Instagram.
