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Swimming at the Forty Foot dates back to the 19th century. Traditionally, it was a men-only bathing area, but in the 1970s a group of feminists protested the exclusion of women and children, and the rules were relaxed. Now it’s there for everyone to enjoy, from visiting weekenders to long-standing locals. Part of its appeal is its natural beauty – bounded by biscuit-coloured rocks on both sides, the deep waters offer swimmers a beautiful view of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Dublin Bay.

Take the plunge here in the cold waters of the Irish Sea, and you’re likely to have cormorants diving beside you, herons and seagulls swooping above, and a curious seal or two (a word to the wise, keep your distance, seals are wild animals and are unpredictable).

People swim in the Forty Foot year-round (it's tradition to take a dip on Christmas Day), but if you’re not mad enough to join the collection of hardy winter dippers (and with temperatures of around 7 degrees it’s not for the faint-hearted), this part of the south County Dublin coast still makes a great destination for a short stroll or a longer hike.

Not far from The Forty Foot is the lively town of Dún Laoghaire, where you’ll find the Dún Laoghaire Baths (another sea swimming spot), a 19th century pier and the elegant People’s Park, with its popular Sunday food market. For a pleasant walk, jump on the Dart (train) from Dublin city centre, get out at Dún Laoghaire and walk all along the coast to Sandycove beach and the Forty Foot.