If you’re determined to get wet, your best bet is to head upstream, far from the city’s hustle. The non-tidal Thames from Lechlade to Teddington is your playground. Look for designated bathing spots like Sandford Lasher near Oxford, a famous spot that’s been a swimming hole for generations. It’s deep, it’s green, and it feels wonderfully rebellious.
How To Swim In The Thames | Londonist
The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park is another fantastic alternative, and it’s actually a man-made lake fed by the Thames. You get the same iconic London backdrop without the terrifying current. And for the truly hardcore? There are clubs like the Thames Swimming Club that hold organized swims in the tidal section, but they use fast-flowing, high-tide windows and have support boats watching your every move. Do not try this alone.
