When Arthur Ransome brought the characters of Swallows and Amazons to Hamford Water he renamed it Secret Water. The children spent a week sailing in and around the many islands making maps and having adventures. It is still a secret place, known only to a few. We have the privilege of getting out into this beautiful natural location for our activities.

Our sailing trips take us out past the location where the Swallows had their camp and over to the seal colonies of Oakley Creek.  The grey seals of Secret Water have an orange tint to their thick coats.  The muddy clay that they roll about in has a high iron content that gives their coats, literally, a rusty colouring; although they don’t seem to squeak!

For more information about Arthur Ransome and Swallows and Amazons visit the Arthur Ransome Society website http://www.arthur-ransome.org.uk/