Am alive!
We swim by Essex bridge in Great Haywood.
Lovely swim down river, but be prepared for a hard swim back or even a walk back as current can be deceptive.
We swim there because its local but have preferable spots a little further out.
River Dove is "A" quality water although quite cold. Lovely spot near Ashbourne ( by bridge on edge of Okeover / Mapleton. About 40 mins to get there
We also like a place near Ludlow (Lentwardine) about an hour away.
Daniel Start's book Wild Swimming is a good guide, although I'd avoid Mermaids Pool near Leek as it has sludgy peety bottom that you sink into!
Lots of Facebook groups about.
Also if finding your own place, Environment Agency has a website showing results of water quality tests
Basic advice - avoid swimming alone, dive with care, respect the power of water - and have fun!
Thanks Gram for the PM