It isn’t what you see that makes this stretch of water so dangerous, it’s what you don’t see. Stories about the dangers of The Strid at Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire go back to the 12th century and it’s seeming innocuous appearance can run chills down your spine once you realize the banks aren’t really banks at all, they are overhangs that cover up undercutting caverns and tunnels that can quickly swallow anyone unfortunate enough to end up in the peaceful looking river and kill them without resurfacing.
As the weather warms and we start poking around our local swimming holes, always be aware that what may look like a safe spot on the surface may hold unseen dangers beneath. Be safe out there, swim with friends and know the dangers before you enter the water.