The Best Outdoor Swimming Spots in Buckinghamshire (and just beyond)
2026-07-29T07:41:46Z
Who needs the Côte d’Azur when you’ve got crystal-clear lakes, heated lidos and lakeside saunas on your doorstep? Outdoor swimming has become the summer pastime for those in the know, combining fitness, fresh air and just the right amount of smugness. Whether you like to chase PBs in open water or go for a dip to reward yourself with coffee and cake afterwards, Buckinghamshire is surprisingly well stocked with places to make a splash.
Wycombe Rye Lido, High Wycombe
This much-loved heated 50-metre pool has all the nostalgic charm of a classic British lido, but with modern facilities and beautifully kept grounds that make it just as appealing for lazy afternoons as it is for serious swimmers.
Stretch out on the grass of The Rye after your swim and enjoy the atmosphere while pretending you’re somewhere considerably more exotic than High Wycombe. Families adore it, fitness fans swear by it and, on a glorious sunny day, you’ll struggle to find a happier place to be. Find opening times and book your swim here.
Flo at Blackpit Farm, near Bicester
Wild swimming, but make it luxury. Hidden away in the rolling countryside at Blackpit Farm, Flo takes everything you think you know about outdoor swimming and gives it a boutique spa makeover. Start with a leisurely swim around the clay-bottomed lake, then warm up in the lakeside sauna, brave the plunge pool or sink into a bubbling hot tub with a coffee in hand. The whole place feels beautifully curated, with stylish changing facilities and hot drinks on tap. If all of that swimming has got you peckish, the Café at Blackpit serves a great breakfast and lunch too. Learn more here.
Bicester Performance Lake
For those who like their swimming with a slightly sportier edge, Bicester Performance Lake delivers in bucket loads. Part of Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa, this purpose-built 200-metre lake caters for everyone from beginners finding their confidence to experienced open-water swimmers training for their next challenge. Guests of the hotel enjoy complimentary access, while day visitors can simply book a session and dive straight in from just £7. If swimming alone doesn’t satisfy your competitive streak, there’s also paddleboarding and an inflatable assault course waiting nearby. It’s basically a grown-up adventure playground — with much better scenery. Click here to learn more.
Denham Waterski Club
Don’t let the name fool you — you don’t need to own a pair of skis to enjoy this place!
The 20-acre lake is famous for its watersports, but it’s also one of the area’s most popular destinations for open-water swimming, with a clearly marked one-kilometre loop that’s ideal for building endurance. Sessions operate through the Nowca booking system, giving swimmers plenty of space and a reassuringly well-managed environment to enjoy the water. Bonus points if you reward yourself with brunch afterwards. Find out more here.
Taplow Lakeside
If your family can never agree on what to do, Taplow Lakeside might just save the day. While the swimmers head off around the open-water course, everyone else can try their hand at wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or even axe throwing if they’re feeling particularly adventurous. Open-water sessions run throughout the week and use the Nowca membership system, making it a popular training venue for local swimmers while still feeling welcoming to newcomers. They also offer introduction to open water swimming classes if you’d like some guidance before taking to the water. Learn more here.
Willen Lake, Milton Keynes
Think of Willen Lake as the Center Parcs of watersports, and you won’t be far wrong. Yes, there are organised open-water swimming sessions, but that’s only the beginning of the fun. You’ll also find paddleboarding, kayaking, high ropes, Treetop Extreme, splash parks and enough family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained long after you’ve dried off.
Swims currently take place on Saturday mornings around a 400-metre loop, with unlimited monthly memberships available for keen swimmers. Afterwards, grab a takeaway coffee or head upstairs for one of the Watersports Centre’s famously good wood-fired pizzas. Because every great swim deserves an equally great lunch. Find out more here.
