{"id":1651,"date":"2022-11-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:48:52","slug":"top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Secret Wild Swimming Spots Near London"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_d688db8533759cb468ce253134f9c95d\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/swimming\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSwimming\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/wild-swimming\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWild Swimming\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/explore-london\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOutdoor Adventures in London\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTop Secret Wild Swimming Spots Near London\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Daniel Start\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2022-11-30T00:00:00+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">November 30, 2022<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t5 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"Goring and Pangbourne, River Thames, Berkshire\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-300x76.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1024x259.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-768x194.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1536x388.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1376x348.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_236e5995cce1462b074e5cda367e8ae2\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-great-places-to-open-water-swim-near-london\">Great places to open-water swim near London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Daniel Start, author of the Wild Guide to London and the South East, reveals his top 6 favourite secret places to go wild swimming near the capital. From the jade pools of the Chelmer, to rope swings on the Great Ouse, remote riverside pubs on the Ouse to smuggler caves in Kent, we have your next London escape sorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you find these six hidden gems, simply click the links below for each one, and use <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OS Maps<\/a> to find a direct route to the spot. There&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free trial<\/a> too, so you can access all of Great Britain anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-goring-and-pangbourne-river-thames-berkshire\">1. Goring and Pangbourne, River Thames, Berkshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.508416&#038;lon=-1.110767&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.5080%2C+-1.1108&#038;locationCoordinates=-1.1108%2C51.508\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__Goring_River_Thames.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wild swimming at Goring and Pangbourne, River Thames, Berkshire\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p>Goring and Pangbourne, River Thames, Berkshire<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Just 30 minutes from the capital, this is one of the easiest\nand best wild swims accessible by train from London. There are miles of\nswimming meadows with little beaches, downstream of Pangbourne bridge, just a\nshort stroll from the station. Stay close to the shore to avoid boats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For\nsomething much more secret and a lovely walk, follow the left bank path\nupstream towards Goring. After 1\u00bd miles the path passes through Hartslock Wood\ndescending to riverbank. It\u2019s a lovely wild stretch of the Thames with rope\nswings. From Goring catch the train home again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.508416&#038;lon=-1.110767&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.5080%2C+-1.1108&#038;locationCoordinates=-1.1108%2C51.508\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goring and Pangbourne in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_35d7dae06e3f9b97b31a5a4796ce1c54\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-reading\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer 159 &#8211; Reading, Wokingham &amp; Pangbourne\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-shalford-and-guidford-river-wey-surrey\">2. Shalford and Guidford, River Wey, Surrey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.224708&#038;lon=-0.577072&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.2243%2C+-0.5772&#038;locationCoordinates=-0.5772%2C51.2243\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__shalford_river_wey.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wild swimming at Shalford and Guidford, River Wey, Surrey\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p>Shalford and Guidford, River Wey, Surrey<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The tiny, ruined chapel at St Catherine\u2019s Hill is the clue\nthat this was once a key fording point on the ancient Pilgrims\u2019 Way \u2013 and\nprobably one of the oldest bathing points in Britain. A golden hill of sand\ndrops right down into the clean waters of the river Wey and the colour of the\nsand gives adjacent Guildford its name: \u2018golden ford\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today this is still a\nserene place for a dip and it\u2019s lovely to feel the sand between your toes as\nyou ease yourself into the cool waters. For more seclusion however, explore the\nNational Trust meadows upstream. The river has split and braided so it\u2019s easy\nto find your own secret pool. Cycle paths connect to either Guildford or\nShalford stations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.224708&#038;lon=-0.577072&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.2243%2C+-0.5772&#038;locationCoordinates=-0.5772%2C51.2243\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shalford and Guidford in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_e23d773648749775f4e58e965720cebf\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-guildford-farnham\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer 145 &#8211; Guildford &amp; Farnham\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-pavenham-great-ouse-bedfordshire\">3. Pavenham, Great Ouse, Bedfordshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=52.186793&#038;lon=-0.556943&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=52.1868%2C+-0.5570&#038;locationCoordinates=-0.557%2C52.1868\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__pavenham_River_Ouse.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wild swimming at Pavenham, Great Ouse, Bedfordshire\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p>Pavenham, Great Ouse, Bedfordshire<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Great Ouse means slow and strong and this beautiful great river meanders through our home counties yet still remains little known. Between Pavenham and the church at Stevington there\u2019s a great loop of the river with willows, deep water and rope swings, all following the John Bunyan Way. To reach this spot, pass the Cock pub (MK43 7NJ), then take a left down Mill Lane and follow the footpath down to the river. You can continue downstream all the way to Park End church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=52.186793&#038;lon=-0.556943&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=52.1868%2C+-0.5570&#038;locationCoordinates=-0.557%2C52.1868\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pavenham in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_50e7e574a41bc5dcf0eb132411316d4a\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-bedford-st-neots\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer 208 &#8211; Bedford &amp; St Neots\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_ddf1c828cc844a2778389a168655b71f\" class=\"BigCommerce BigCommerce--no-products default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none     BigCommerce--slider \"  data-color-scheme=\"default\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner\">\n\n\n\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner__product\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1.png\" class=\"BigCommerceBanner__product-img\" alt=\"OS Guidebooks and Maps\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1.png 393w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1-248x300.png 248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"BigCommerceBanner__subheading\">\n\t\t\t\tEXPLORE THE\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"BigCommerceBanner__heading\">\n\t\t\t\tOS Shop\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"BigCommerceBanner__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWe are with you every step of the way.\u00a0Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks\u2028so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/\" class=\"Button Button--orange \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tGo to the shop\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"BigCommerceProductsBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper BigCommerceProductsSwiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper Products\" data-products=\"3039,2173,2234,2441,2179,2210,2123\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-between align-items-center swiper-navigation\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center BigCommerce__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/\" class=\"Button Button--orange \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tGo to the shop\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-botany-bay-broadstairs-kent\">4. Botany Bay, Broadstairs, Kent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.389649&#038;lon=1.435399&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.3893%2C+1.4352&#038;locationCoordinates=1.4352%2C51.3893\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__botany_bay.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wild swimming at Botany Bay, Broadstairs, Kent\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p>Botany Bay, Broadstairs, Kent<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Royal Sea Bathing Infirmary \u2013 a grand Palladian palace built in 1791 in Margate \u2013 started the Georgian craze for sea bathing and reminds us that a wild swim has long been considered a remedy for a whole range of maladies. Today those in the know head a little to the east, to Botany Bay. It lies at the bottom of plush garden suburbs on the road to Broadstairs. White sand stretches out beneath low chalk cliffs, and at low tide the intrepid can paddle round, through chalk cliffs coves, to the secret bay on the right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here you\u2019ll likely have the long wild beach to yourself, or you can try to climb into the cliff chambers where smugglers once hid their booty. Continue down the coast two miles to find Kingsgate Bay or Joss Bay for surfing. From Broadstairs follow the B2052 north past Kingsgate Bay then turn right after a mile and park at the bottom of Botany Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.389649&#038;lon=1.435399&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.3893%2C+1.4352&#038;locationCoordinates=1.4352%2C51.3893\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Botany Bay in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_59f938ebd794f02c4d24c4fdde8aa085\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-canterbury-the-isle-of-thanet\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer 150 &#8211; Canterbury &amp; the Isle of Thanet\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-hoemill-bridge-river-chelmer-essex\">5. Hoemill Bridge, River Chelmer, Essex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.748764&#038;lon=0.608000&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.7485%2C+0.6081&#038;locationCoordinates=0.6081%2C51.7485\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__hoemill_bridge_essex.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wild swimming at Hoemill Bridge, River Chelmer, Essex\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p>Hoemill Bridge, River Chelmer, Essex<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s just a stone throw from London but few know about Essex\u2019s best swimming river, the Chelmer. Its silky waters and grassy bankside footpaths weave all the way from Chelmsford to the pretty harbour town of Maldon. There are miles of opportunities for swimming and splashing on a hot summer\u2019s day. The highlight is Hoemill Bridge, where you can walk upstream to swim opposite the charming riverside church of Ulting. Or perhaps explore downstream and lose yourself in the open meadows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s even a cycle route from Chelmsford train station, for those looking for a <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/10-traffic-free-cycling-routes-from-london\/\">car-free escape from London<\/a>. From the A12, Hatfield Peverel, follow the B1019, then turn right signed Nounsley\/Ulting. Park at the bridge and lock (CM9 6QU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=51.748764&#038;lon=0.608000&#038;zoom=14.5731&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;locationName=51.7485%2C+0.6081&#038;locationCoordinates=0.6081%2C51.7485\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hoemill Bridge in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_b4fba0c20ff215ca046d30410c3fcc1a\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-chelmsford-the-rodings\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer 183 &#8211; Chelmsford &amp; The Rodings\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n<div class=\"home_hero_20_mix_match\">\r\n    <div>\r\n        <h2>NEW DOG FRIENDLY WALKING GUIDE BOOKS<\/h2><h4>A collection of brand new books from Ordnance Survey<\/h4>\r\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/books\/os-short-walks-made-easy-guidebooks\/os-swme-dog-friendly-walks\/\" class=\"Button Button--red Button--smaller\"><span class=\"Button__text\">Shop Now<\/span><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div>\r\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/swmedogs.png\" alt=\"OFFER: save 20\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" \/>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n .InnerBlocks .home_hero_20_mix_match h2 {\r\n    margin-top: 20px;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n}\r\n   \r\n.InnerBlocks .ad_hr {\r\n margin: 20px;\r\n border-color: #9f9f9f;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  flex-flow: row wrap;\r\n  background-image:  linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  background-position: center center;\r\n  background-size:cover;\r\n  border-radius: 25px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  padding: 2% 8%;\r\n  color: #ffffff;\r\n  text-align: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div:nth-child(2) {\r\n  padding: 0;\r\n  padding-bottom: 0px;\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  justify-content: center;\r\n  align-self: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match > div > img {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  height: auto;\r\n  max-width: 250px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n  font-size: 3rem;\r\n  font-weight: 600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  a {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller {\r\n  padding: 8px 20px!important;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller span {\r\n  font-size: 20px;\r\n}    \r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width:50em){\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n    background-image:  linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n    width: 50%;\r\n    text-align: left;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n    font-size: 5rem;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n    font-size: 3rem;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-anchor-inn-river-ouse-sussex\">6. Anchor Inn, River Ouse, Sussex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=50.925996&#038;lon=0.051338&#038;zoom=15.5212&#038;overlays=&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;placesCategory=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__anchor_inn.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anchor Inn, River Ouse, Sussex\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p> Anchor Inn, River Ouse, Sussex<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>From Barcombe, follow narrow lanes through endless fields until you can go no further. Here is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anchorinnandboating.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Anchor Inn<\/a>, a remote waterside pub with a fleet of blue rowing boats to hire and two miles of river to explore (BN8 5EA, 01273 400414). The Ouse here is deep with pretty grassy banks. For hidden swims galore head upstream &#8211; the spire of Isfield church is the only building in sight as you paddle or swim along. Downstream are the open fields of Barcombe Mills, a perfect place for cricket, leapfrog and other riverside games. The inn serves classic pub fare and wine from the local vineyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave Barcombe Cross (signed Spithurst). After \u00bd mile turn right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn second map\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/pin?lat=50.925996&#038;lon=0.051338&#038;zoom=15.5212&#038;overlays=&#038;style=Leisure&#038;type=2d&#038;placesCategory=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anchor Inn in OS Maps <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_ebfd01fd0facdcc3cb967235202c7c7e\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/map-of-eastbourne-beachy-head\/\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_self\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tOS Explorer OL25 &#8211; Eastbourne &amp; Beachy Head\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-discover-more\">Discover more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover more great hidden places and wild swimming locations around London and the home counties (reaching as far as <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/norfolk\/\">Norfolk <\/a>and the <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/nationalparks\/new-forest-national-park\/\">New Forest<\/a>) with <a href=\"https:\/\/wildthingspublishing.com\/product\/wild-guide-southern-eastern-england-book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Wild Guide to London and the South East<\/a> by Daniel Start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/wild-guide-london-south-east-england\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow,noopener noopener\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/Wild_swimming_spots_london__book.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\u00a0The Wild Guide to London and the South East\u00a0\">\n        <\/a>\n        <p> The Wild Guide to London and the South East <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"26fcc9d63c\" data-postid=\"1651\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div 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transform=\"translate(-89 238)\"><path d=\"M14.186,24V13.2h3.279L18,8.4H14.186V6.062c0-1.236.032-2.462,1.759-2.462h1.749V.168A19.34,19.34,0,0,0,14.671,0C11.5,0,9.508,1.989,9.508,5.64V8.4H6v4.8H9.508V24Z\" transform=\"translate(89 -238)\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">1<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Daniel Start\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daniel Start, author of the Wild Guide to the Lakes and Dales, reveals his top 6 favourite hidden places to go wild swimming in the Lake District. From the emerald pool at tongue pot to plunge pools at Ullswater, we have your next trip to the lakes covered. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[395,141],"activities":[43],"locations":[21,25],"class_list":["post-1651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-explore-london","tag-wild-swimming","activities-swimming","locations-london","locations-south-east"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Top Secret Wild Swimming Spots Near London | OS GetOutside<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Daniel Start, author of the Wild Guide to London and the South East, reveals his top 6 favourite places to go wild swimming near London.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top secret wild swimming spots near London | OS GetOutside\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Daniel Start, author of the Wild Guide to the Lakes and Dales, reveals his top 6 favourite hidden places to go wild swimming in the Lake District. From the emerald pool at tongue pot to plunge pools at Ullswater, we have your next trip to the lakes covered.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OS Maps Discover\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osmapping\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-11-30T00:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-12T15:48:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/blobgetoutside5db8a681d3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wild_swimming_spots_london__hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"485\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"midasiak\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Top secret wild swimming spots near London | OS GetOutside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Daniel Start, author of the Wild Guide to the Lakes and Dales, reveals his top 6 favourite hidden places to go wild swimming in the Lake District. From the emerald pool at tongue pot to plunge pools at Ullswater, we have your next trip to the lakes covered.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@OSLeisure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"midasiak\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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