Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall: 28 coast, lake and river days out is out this month. It's by west-country locals Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce and is a sequel to their best-selling Devon and Dartmoor guide.

Wild Swimming is having a massive surge in popularity and here are just three of the fantastic walks in the book

Carn Marth quarries circular, near Redruth, mid-Cornwall

Start/finish Gwennap Pit, where there is space for four cars

Distance 3.5 miles, allow 4 hours

A fascinating walk back through time, around a series of curiosities all related to the area’s rich mining history. These include an open-air church, an amphitheatre and two refreshing quarry pools.

Gwennap Pit

Gwennap Pit

Photograph: Matt Newbury

The starting point for this walk is a truly remarkable feature called Gwennap Pit, a conical amphitheatre created when the surface of an old copper mine collapsed hundreds of years ago. John Wesley, the father of Methodism, took advantage of the natural acoustics and used the pit to preach to his thousands of followers. The site was also popular with the Cornish rave scene in the 1980s, with local resident Richard David James, AKA Aphex Twin, holding legendary parties here.

Just past the pit, bridleways and paths will lead you up on to Carn Marth, an ancient hilltop blanketed in gorse, bracken, heath and wildflowers. Carn Marth Pool (or the Cornish Granite and Freestone quarry) once provided granite for a number of prominent buildings around nearby Redruth. It’s a lovely swim spot, with banks dropping down to its revitalising waters, where islands are waiting to be conquered. You’ll also spot fishers trying to catch carp that were released in the waters some years back, including an elusive 30-pounder.

Quarry pool. Photograph: Alex Murdin

Quarry pool. Photograph: Alex Murdin

The walk continues to another intriguing quarry, housing an open-air theatre where the likes of Kneehigh and Miracle Theatre perform. Very close to the entrance of the quarry you might be able to find some steps leading down to an old well, known as Figgy Dowdy’s Well, where young girls would once bring their dolls to be baptised every Good Friday.

As you leave the quarry, you can see the chimney and ruins of Baronet’s Engine House, which once powered the mine’s pumping engine. Turn left to walk away from the mine ruins and it’s a 10-minute stroll to the next pool. It’s easy to miss, so look out for a small track off to the left. Known as Cathedral Quarry due to its high, sheer walls, it’s a magical spot. Swim from the natural granite steps and platforms into the refreshing waters. The walk then returns back down to the village through more pleasant lanes and bridleways. Near the end, stop in the quiet little village of Lanner, where there are a couple of pubs and a bakery selling excellent Cornish pasties.

Poltesco and Cadgwith, the Lizard peninsula, south Cornwall

Start/finish Ruan Minor

Distance 3 miles, allow 3 hours

This walk incorporates some beguiling aspects of Cornwall’s history, from a historic serpentine quarry to a working fishing village, along with an unusual swim into a collapsed cave known as the Devil’s Frying Pan.

Start from Ruan Minor, a village just inland, and descend to the coast, crossing the bubbling Poltesco stream on the way. At Poltesco Barn, stop and look at a small exhibition about the serpentine mining that used to take place at the beach nearby. It is then a very short distance to said beach, little-known Carleon Cove, where you can see the stone ruins of the serpentine quarry that did big business here in the 19th century. Serpentine is a red and green stone found locally, which was fashioned into ornamental pieces including fireplaces, vases and gravestones.

There is also a substantial round building on the beach, the old Capstan House, which contained a winch for hauling pilchard boats. The sea is beautifully clear in this rocky cove and it’s perfect for swimming. There’s also a pond if you fancy a freshwater dip.

Cadgwith. Photograph: Jane Cabrera

Cadgwith. Photograph: Jane Cabrera

From the beach, rejoin the coast path and follow it south – there are spectacular views – to the working fishing village of Cadgwith. It has two beaches, one of which is packed with colourful fishing boats; the other, Little Cove, is better for swimming.

Falmouth Packet:

There are various places to stop for refreshment, including the Cadgwith Cove Inn and the Old Cellars. If the sea is flat, and there is no wind, you can swim around to a collapsed sea cave called the Devil’s Frying Pan, which is a great adventure, involving swimming under a rock arch into a huge, circular inland pool, surrounded by cliffs (best at high tide). To find it, swim along the right-hand side of the cove and then turn right, following the coast south until you see the “bridge” which leads into the lagoon.

From Cadgwith the path leads past pretty cottages and heads back inland to Ruan Minor.

Trelissick figure of eight, near Falmouth

Falmouth Packet:

Hikers, Trelissick. Photograph: Matt Newbury

Distance 5 miles, a good 4–5 hours with swims

Start/finish National Trust car park at Trelissick

This is a proper swim safari, exploring the creeks of the River Fal and the wilds of the Trelissick estate with numerous swims on the way. It is best done around high tide.

Trelissick is a grand country house built in the 18th century in a commanding position overlooking the Carrick Roads – the name given to part of the River Fal which stretches out to be one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The walk heads south down the hill from the car park, arriving at a beautiful beach on Channals Creek, perfect for a swim. There are great views from the jade-coloured water, and directly opposite is Turnaware Point, which was one of the embarkation points for the D-day landings.

Falmouth Packet:

Swimmers in the water near Trelissick

Photograph: Aaron Kitts

From here the route follows the shoreline north through the woods, which border the water, and passes the jetty for the King Harry Ferry, which carries both cars and foot passengers. It then passes along both sides of Lamouth Creek, another great swim spot at high tide, and where you can often see egrets, shelduck and kingfishers.

At the mouth of the creek is Roundwood Fort, an impressive promontory fort dating back to the iron age. Next to it is another great spot for swimming, Roundwood Quay, a handsome stone jetty which dates back to the 18th century, when there was a limehouse, a malthouse, a sawpit for shipbuilding and a coal yard here. With several slipways and sets of steps, it is a playful and picturesque spot to swim from.

From here, the walk heads back inland and completes the figure of eight back to the car park. If you have time, it is worth taking a look around the house and gardens.

Falmouth Packet:

Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall: 28 coast, lake and river days out, by Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce (Wild Things Publishing, £14.99)