Surrey


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_-1000x667.jpg" alt="A woman wild swimming in lake." class="wp-image-60411" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/wild-swimming-lake-water-pxhere.com_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Safety first! A few rules before you take the plunge &#8211; especially if you’re a novice when it comes to wild swimming.</p>



<ul>
<li>Never swim alone, ideally go with someone more experienced or even better, try a local <a href="https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild swimming group</a>.</li>



<li>Enter the water slowly, don’t jump or dive in and check the depth.</li>



<li>Stay close to the shore or bank and keep your initial sessions short to help you acclimatise and prevent cold water shock.</li>



<li>Finally, make sure you have warm dry clothes for when you come out plus a warm drink. Or make it a hot toddy &#8211; no judgement!</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-the-plunge-at-these-beauty-spots"><strong>Take the plunge at these beauty spots</strong></h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buckland-park-lake-betchworth"><strong><a href="https://bucklandparklake.co.uk/whats-here/water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckland Park Lake</a>, Betchworth</strong></h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47.jpg" alt="Buckland Park Lake at Betchworth. " class="wp-image-60244" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/Untitled-design-47-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Buckland Park Lake at Betchworth. <em>Photo credit: Buckland Park / Facebook</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>At Buckland there is a stunning 50-acre pristine lake, one of the largest bodies of water in Surrey.  Open water wild swimming and SUP clubs have been enjoying the lagoon since 2016, and just recently E-foil has been added to the list of available activities.  All sessions must be pre-booked via SHAC’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theshac.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> &#8211; you cannot just turn up and swim, so this one requires some forward planning but it&#8217;s worth it. There is also a sauna and cold plunge, giant sandpit and children’s playground plus for refuelling afterwards. El Rocinante their lagoon side snack bar is open daily and offers a range of hot and cold snack and drinks. </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frensham-great-pond-near-farnham"><strong><a href="https://www.waverley.gov.uk/services/greenspaces-leisure-and-things-to-do/greenspaces-in-waverley/key-sites/frensham-great-pond" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frensham Great Pond,</a> near Farnham</strong></h4>



<p>This is more of relaxed spot located between Farnham and Hindhead, on either side of the A287.&nbsp; It&#8217;s been a popular spot for wild swimming for a while and  offers a beautiful, sandy beach.&nbsp;There are clear designated roped-off areas at the Great Pond for a dip. Frensham Little Pond, though, is off-limits for swimming.&nbsp;The pond and surrounding common is a Green Flag award-winning site.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dumsey-meadow-chertsey"><strong><a href="https://www.visitsurrey.com/listing/dumsey-meadow/151715101/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dumsey Meadow,</a> Chertsey</strong></h4>



<p>A beautiful swimming spot on the Thames with clean fresh water right by the grassy bank. Easy to access with a gentle slope &#8211; just be mindful of passing boats! There is a good pub called The Kingfisher nearby for a refreshing post-swim pint and bite to eat.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diver-s-cove-godstone"><strong><a href="https://www.diverscove.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diver’s Cove,</a> Godstone</strong></h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04-1000x750.jpeg" alt="Divers Cove at Godstone." class="wp-image-55797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Divers-Cove-04.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Diver&#8217;s Cove at Godstone.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Just 5 minutes outside Oxted this beautiful 7.3 acre reservoir was formerly used for sand extraction. It’s natural biodiversity and sandy bottom mean the water quality is exceptional and it glows a beautiful turquoise green in the summer or winter sun. You can often spot heron and carp. It&#8217;s members only, open from April – October and gets quite the social spot on hot summer nights!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sandy-bay-near-midhurst"><strong><u><a href="https://reallywildswimming.com/locations/south-east-england/cowdray-house-river-rother/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sandy Bay,</a></u> near Midhurst</strong></h4>



<p>Worth the trip to West Sussex this bay is near the picturesque ruins of Cowdray Castle. Check before you go, but the current is usually gentle and it’s around 5ft deep meaning most adults can stand up while they enjoy the water. If you’re starting out, the banks have a gentle incline meaning you can go in slowly. You can stock up on treats afterwards at Muddy award winning <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cowdray-estate-midhurst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowdray Farm Shop.</a>&nbsp;</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quay-swim-mytchettt"><strong><a href="https://www.quayswim.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quay Swim</a>, Mytchettt</strong></h4>



<p>Quay Swim is an open water swimming facility based at Mytchett, near Camberley in Surrey at the crystal-clear, spring-fed lake. They offer early morning and evening open water swimming sessions, both at weekends and select days throughout the season with wetsuit hire available.  </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bewl-water-wadhurst"><strong><a href="https://www.bewlwater.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bewl Water, </a>Wadhurst</strong></h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/06/bewl-water-kent.jpg" alt="Bewl Water near Tunbridge Wells." /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bewl Water near Tunbridge Wells.</figcaption></figure>



<p>A bit further afield, but when you don’t want to brave open water, then this reservoir near Tunbridge Wells is the perfect spot for a splash around. If you’re with the kids there’s a host of water based activities you can sign them up to while you take a dip. The waters are clear and refreshing – best of all you can stop by award-winning pub the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-bell-ticehurst-east-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bell Ticehurst</a>&nbsp;for a delicious lunch or drink.&nbsp;</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-river-wey-shalford"><strong><a href="https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/guides/top-secret-wild-swimming-spots-near-london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">River Wey,</a> Shalford</strong></h4>



<p>This is a good location for beginners, offering shallow waters lined by sandy banks and meadows. You can reach this stretch of the river via a short walk from&nbsp;The Manor Inn‘s car park, past Broadwater Park. With historic bridges and mills peppered along the banks, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing swim. The river also connects with the Surrey Cycleway, so why not turn your swim into a day out and bring along your bike?</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-penshurst-place-kent"><strong><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/penshurst-place-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penshurst Place, </a>Kent</strong></h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/penshurst-place-gardens-9.jpg" alt="Penshurst Place" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Penshurst Place</figcaption></figure>



<p>Want to swim in the same place as Henry VIII? Not a sentence we thought we’d write.  Since last year you can now enjoy open water swimming in a private lake at&nbsp;Penshurst Place in Kent. Accessed via an ancient avenue of trees through a green meadow surrounded by wildlife and nature, Lancup Well is a tranquil and unique place for a wild swim, set against the backdrop of historic Penshurst Place. Managed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.triswim.org.uk/product/penshurst-place-tour-swim/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TriSwim</a>.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-for-more">LOOKING FOR MORE?</h2>



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<li><strong><a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks/bluebell-walks-in-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best bluebell walks in Surrey</a></strong></li>



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</ul>


Wild thing! 9 great places to wild swim in Surrey and beyond

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