Where to go wild swimming: London and beyond

Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds, Hampstead

A dip in Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds is a rite of passage to which all Londoners should treat themselves at some point during their tenure. The waters are divided into a Ladies, Mens and Mixed Bathing Pond, all of which are lush and tranquil. A more formal affair than in pre-Covid times, the Ponds require swimming slots to be booked in advance, with a cost of £2.55 (concessions) or £4.25 replacing the former £2 honesty box admission fee. Still, if you're able to nab a window, enjoying a far less crowded pond swim has got to be worth the 50% price increase, right?

West Reservoir, Hackney

Hackney’s West Reservoir Centre might be better known for its watersports (the centre holds certificated sailing and kayaking courses), but between spring and autumn, the vast 30-acre site provides the wildest swimming you’re likely to find in London. The site is managed by Better leisure centres, and is monitored to ensure the waters remain safe and clean.

Facilities are basic: there's a cold shower to freshen up under after your swim and open changing facilities both indoors and out. Swimming caps are compulsory (but can be bought on site) and those who aren't wearing a wetsuit must swim with an orange float attached (provided free).

Divers Cove Reservoir, Godstone

Thanks to its positioning on a former sand-extraction site, Divers Cove in the picturesque village of Godstone boasts turquoise waters that, when twinkling in the sunlight, look like they belong in the Mediterranean. The 7.3-acre reservoir boasts two circuits – a 450-metre and 650-metre – for swimmers, both marked by large buoys. You’ll warm up in no time following your swim, thanks to the heated changing rooms and on-site café serving hot food and drinks.

It’s safety first at Divers Cove. The site is watched over at all times by two fully trained lifeguards: one on the pontoon and another out on the waters. Swimmers are also given compulsory wristbands – loaded with their personal details, medical history and emergency contact information – that alert the staff to who is in the water when, which also allows you to track your swim for training purposes.

How to get there: 40 minutes by train from London Bridge to Caterham, then 10 minutes on the number 400 bus. Or just off Junction 6 of the M25, and easily found on the A25.

River Medway by Ensfield Bridge, Tonbridge

If it’s a truly wild, lesser-known swimming experience you’re after, you’ll find one by heading to Ensfield Bridge near Tonbridge. Wade into the River Medway here and you can swim for roughly half a mile in either direction. Don’t be put off by the steep banks and peaty river beds, the latter will do wonders to cool your feet on sweaty summer days. Once done, dry off on the grassy banks and enjoy the tranquility you wouldn’t find at your nearest lido.

How to get there: 30 minutes by train from London Bridge to Leigh Station

Frensham Great Pond, Farnham

For a family-friendly wild swimming experience, our pick is Frensham Great Pond in Farnham. This wide, open lake is flanked by two natural sandy bays, each offering ample room to set up camp for the day and enjoy a picnic between dips. As you wade out into the lake, the calm waters stay shallow for several metres too, making it a safe place for paddling with tots.

There’s a café and ice-cream van on site, as well as changing facilities, loos and a car park a short walk from the ‘beach’ – all of which make Frensham an easy location for a day trip. The only downside? Expect to find the pond and shore heaving with others on warm summer days.

How to get there: Frensham Great Pond is a 90-minute drive from London. A green flag marks the site.

Henley Swim Festival, Henley

Love the idea of wild swimming but need others around you or a competitive element to throw yourself in? Henley Swim Festival – currently scheduled for Sunday 9 July – offers just that. The 2.1km upstream swim takes place at dawn and sees around 100 swimmers take on the Henley Regatta rowing course. Known as the Henley Classic, the now-annual swim was inspired by two ex-rowers, Tom Kean and Jeremy Laming, who in 2004 swam the regatta course one morning at first light.

Chilworth to Guildford, Surrey

Hoping to tie in a walk with your wild swim? Head to Chilworth, from where you can walk the eight-mile stretch to Guildford, passing pretty villages before joining the Wey Navigation, where there are several recognised spots for swimming in the River Wey. The first comes just beyond the Manor Inn (look out for a small sandy beach). The main one, though, is closer to Guildford; here you’ll find a larger beach and steep, sandy bank. If you don’t fancy a full immersion, head to the Farncombe Boat House in Catteshall and hire a rowing boat or canoe instead.

How to get there: 1h 8 minutes from London Bridge to Chilworth Station. From there, make your way along the river and look out for places to jump in.

Beckenham Place Park lake, Beckenham

For decades, south Londoners have had to trek north of the river in order to enjoy a taste of fresh-water swimming without leaving the city. Now, they can head in the other direction thanks to renovations which have transformed a Georgian lake on Lewisham/Bromley borders, Beckenham Place Park, into a swimming destination.

The lake is around 285 metres long, 48 metres wide and 3.5 metres deep at its centre. The renovations included fitting the lake with an aeration system, a sandy beach to wade in from and a jetty for those feeling brave enough to jump. A café is being built a stone’s throw from the lake, and plans are also under way for the lake to play home to a programme of watersports. As yet, there are no permanent changing facilities on the site.

Denham Lake, Uxbridge

Up for a day trip? Go rogue with a visit to London’s outer western margin and plunge into the wilderness at Denham Lake. The pines of Denham Country Park, which enclose the natural lake’s vast stretch of cool water, contain plenty of pubs and picnic spots ready to be discovered. Swimming (mornings only) isn’t the only thing on offer: guests can also book individual or group waterskiing and wakeboarding sessions with the Denham Waterski Club.

Click here for more details

COMING SOON (HOPEFULLY)...

East London Waterworks Park, Lea Bridge

What began as a hopeful crowd-funding campaign looks set to become a reality: local community group East London Waterworks is aiming to acquire a former Victorian water depot on Lea Bridge Road and transform the 5.68-hectare site into two Olympic-sized, naturally filled swimming pools. If successful, the campaign would mean no more schleps to Hampstead Bathing Ponds for east Londoners or, *shudder*, dips in the nearby polluted 'Hackney Riviera'.

The group has smashed its initial crowdfunding target of £500,000, but if you want to see this dream become a reality, you can support the campaign here.