This summer has already broken heatwave records, and it looks as if there’s no end to the high temperatures in the forecast. But Londoners are in luck because, contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of natural places to swim accessible from the capital.
As a qualified walking guide, I’ve been spending my summer on day trips out of London to some of my favourite wild swimming spots – all accessible by train, followed by a bucolic walk.
There’s no shortage of places you can walk along quiet stretches of coastline, calm rivers and secluded lakes to find delightful places to swim (though be sure to follow safety precautions whenever swimming in open water). Here are 10 of the best, all within two hours of London.
Dover to Deal via St Margaret’s Bay, Kent
Start: Dover
End: Deal
Duration: 11 miles; 4.5-5.5 hours
How to get there: Take the train from London St Pancras to Deal (1h10min), but get off three stops early to start the walk from Dover Priory
This route takes you along a spectacular stretch of the Kent coast, passing historic landmarks and castles. As you walk above the iconic white cliffs of Dover you’ll enjoy expansive sea views – on a clear day you can see the coast of France. At the halfway point, descend to the secluded bay of St Margaret’s at Cliffe where you can have a swim below the rugged bluffs. For up-to-date information about water quality, you can check the Surfers Against Sewage live sewage map.
You’ll finish at Deal, a charming seaside town with a historic pier. Refuel at one of the seaside pubs or with a classic fish and chips on the beach.
Buckland Park Lake, Surrey
Start/end: Buckland Park Lake
Duration: 1 mile; 30min
How to get there: Take the train from London Victoria to Reigate (46min), and then take bus 32 to the Pheasant bus stop (4min)
If you want to swim in a natural environment with the comfort of facilities and lifeguards, then the pristine, spring-fed Buckland Park Lake is the place for you. This walk takes you on a gentle trail around the lake, with scenic benches and tree cover providing a welcome shelter from the heat. The lake itself is a hidden oasis, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and mature woodland.
Once you have finished your loop of the park you can go for a swim, or try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding, yoga, Pilates or the floating sound bath. Book ahead for swimming slots and activities with Surrey Hills Adventure Company.
Cambridge to Grantchester and the river Cam, Cambridgeshire
Start/end: Cambridge Station
Duration: 6 miles; 2-3 hours
How to get there: Take the train from London Kings Cross to Cambridge (50min)
This is a gentle walk following the river Cam as it takes you through the lush woodland of the Paradise Local Nature Reserve and across the Grantchester meadows – made famous by Pink Floyd – full of wildflowers and weeping willows.
There is a nice spot to get into the river as you near Grantchester (check the latest water-quality testing on the Cam Valley Forum website). You may also be joined by only an occasional punter, or swan. After your swim you can pop to the 19th-century Orchard Tea Garden for cake and tea under the apple trees, before circling your way back through the meadows to return to Cambridge.
Ramsgate to Margate via Botany Bay, Kent
Start: Ramsgate
End: Margate
Duration: 10 miles; 4-5 hours
How to get there: Book a return ticket from London St Pancras to Margate, and get off two stops early to start the walk from Ramsgate (1h20min)
You are spoilt for choice with beaches on this route, as you make your way between three historic towns along the Viking Coastal Trail. And sandy beaches at that, a rare sight for the south-east coast.
Stop for ice cream at Morelli’s in Broadstairs and wander around the unusual sea rocks at Botany Bay before finishing in Margate where you’ll have your pick of places to eat, with its quirky cafés and thriving food scene.
Time the walk for low tide and you can do the whole route at sea level, exploring below the chalk cliffs, making your way from one stunning beach to the next around the rocky, rugged peninsulas. Keep an eye on the tide times, however, as there are some stretches with no way back up – except through the water – when it comes in.
If you prefer swimming with a bit of a safety net, you’ll also find lifeguards at a few of the beaches. Check the Surfers Against Sewage live sewage map for daily water-quality status.
River Lee Country Park and Herts Young Mariners Base, Hertfordshire
Start/end: Cheshunt Station
Duration: 3.5 miles; 1-1.5 hours
How to get there: Take the train from Liverpool Station to Cheshunt (20 min)
It’s less than an hour from London to reach River Lee Country Park, which spans 100 acres with lakes, walking trails and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest conserving rare plant and waterfowl species. This walk takes you on a gentle loop along the Waltons Walk and the river Lee, with impressive trees, lake views, meadows, and a canal lined with colourful narrow boats, to finish at Herts Young Mariners Base.
This gorgeous spring-fed swimming lake is surrounded by nature. It’s a managed lake with lifeguards and changing facilities; book your ticket online.
Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters, East Sussex
Start: Eastbourne
End: Seaford
Duration: 13 miles; 5.5-6.5 hours
How to get there: Book a return ticket from London Victoria to Eastbourne; for your return from Seaford, get a single from Seaford to Lewes, and your return will cover the rest of the journey back to London
If you want to really work up a sweat, with some awe-inspiring views along the way, you won’t get much better than the Seven Sisters. Each sister is a hill, although that’s deceptive, as you will tackle more than seven hills as you make your way along the famous clifftop before descending to Cuckmere Haven. Cool off here on the secluded beach – where if the tide is out, you’ll see a shipwreck – then follow the meandering river Cuckmere to reach Exceat for a pub stop. Then it’s one last big hill to reach Seaford.
Just make sure to keep away from the cliff edge, as the chalk cliffs are crumbling, and be careful of the strong currents at the mouth of the Cuckmere. For up-to-date water quality, you can check the sewage water alerts on the Surfers Against Sewage live sewage map.
Goring-on-Thames to Pangbourne, Oxfordshire
Start: Goring and Streatley
End: Pangbourne Station
Duration: 5 miles; 2-2.5 hours
How to get there: Book a return ticket from London Paddington to Goring and Streatley (1h); return from Pangbourne
This is a unique section of the Thames Path in that it’s the only stretch of the 185-mile route that has a hill. It’s not too tough, though, and can be forgiven for the wonderful views. You’ll see historic villages, one of the few remaining toll bridges on the Thames, and the occasional glimpse of the Chiltern Hills rising in the distance as you follow the gentle curves of the river.
The walk goes through wooded banks and open meadows where you can watch swans and the occasional narrowboat drift by. You’ll finish at Pangbourne Meadow, where there are numerous entry points for a dip in the river. You can check out the latest results from water-quality testing online.
Rye to Camber Sands, East Sussex
Start/end: Rye
Duration: 6 miles; 2.5-3 hours
How to get there: Book a return ticket from London St Pancras to Rye (1h10min)
Rye, with its medieval timbered houses, cobbled streets and history of smugglers, is the start point for this walk. I suggest grabbing some bits for a picnic from Rye Deli. You’ll then head off alongside the river Rother, surrounded by vast marshland, and pass an old tramway station, with remnants of the railway track underfoot, to reach the sweeping sand dunes and golden sandy beach that is Camber Sands.
Caution must be taken of strong currents and a fast incoming tide that can lead to being cut off on the sand bars. There are lifeguards on the eastern end of the beach. Check Surfers Against Sewage for water-quality updates.
Canterbury to Fordwich and the river Stour, Kent
Start: Canterbury
End: Fordwich
Duration: 3 miles; 1-1.5 hours
How to get there: Book a return ticket from London St Pancras to Sturry (1hr40min); get off one stop early to start the walk from Canterbury West
Starting from the famous medieval city, pay a visit to the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral, a Unesco world heritage site, and wander along the charming cobbled streets before making your way along the Stour Valley Trail. Most of the path is under woodland, providing shelter from the sun, until you reach Fordwich, the smallest town in the UK.
Just before the bridge leading to the town there is a popular spot for swimming in the river Stour, though the water quality is not monitored, so you can also rent a canoe if you prefer to stay dry but still enjoy the views. Finish off with a pub lunch at the waterside George and Dragon.
Folkestone and Abbot’s Cliff Beach, East Sussex
Start/end: Folkestone seafront
Duration: 6 miles; 2.5-3 hours
How to get there: Take the train from St Pancras to Folkestone (1hour)
This route takes you through the Folkestone Warren Nature Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, under rugged white chalk cliffs and past a Martello tower (this one was first to be built along the England coastline).
Access to Abbot’s Cliff Beach is via a ladder; note this spot is also an unofficial naturist spot. It’s a great spot to enjoy the views after a cold plunge in the sea, but be sure to not lie down directly beneath the cliffs, as there is a risk of rockfall. Note that water quality is not tested at this beach, but you can check the status of nearby beaches in Folkestone online.