Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-queenford-lakes-nr-berinsfield"><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/Queenford-Lakes-Open-Water-Swimming-133546296726606/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queenford Lakes</a>, nr Berinsfield</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T222840.817.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146434" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T222840.817.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T222840.817-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T222840.817-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T222840.817-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This lovely, clean lake is growing in popularity thanks to the fabulous waterside café, The Wandering Kitchen (yes, you earned that bacon sarnie) and the local love of triathlon. Such is the popularity that you need to book ahead which means registering for a chipped wristband, then you can choose to swim the 500m, 750, or 1km courses (or all three!). Sessions are limited to early morning and late evenings (there are a lot of other watersports taking place on the lake) so do have a proper read of the FB page rather than heading down and hoping. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denham-waterski-club-denham-bucks"><a href="http://www.denhamwaterski.com/swim/swim.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denham Waterski Club</a>, Denham, Bucks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T223406.282.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146437" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T223406.282.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T223406.282-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T223406.282-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T223406.282-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This 20-acre lake just outside of Gerrards Cross is home to plenty of watersports (clue’s in the name), but open water swimming is popular here. You’ll have to book a slot with a wristband, as above, which are currently available every morning and Monday and Thursday evenings. There are 370m and 500m courses to swim and a licensed bar with a deck overlooking the water (just sayin).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-willen-lake-milton-keynes-bucks"><a href="https://loveopenwater.co.uk/mk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willen Lake</a>, Milton Keynes, Bucks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T224252.372.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146439" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T224252.372.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T224252.372-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T224252.372-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Untitled-design-2023-06-20T224252.372-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This one offers so many activities (it’s practically a mini Center Parcs) that you might not have known open water swimming was even an option. The team here are currently operating sessions on Sat and Sun mornings and Weds afternoons/evenings, which must be booked in advance. You book with the Nowca system again for this one and once in the water you can swim the 400m loop as many times as you like. There&#8217;s a takeaway café at the Watersports Centre, or head upstairs for a wood-fired pizza. Now you&#8217;re talking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bicester-performance-lake-bicester"><a href="https://www.bicestergym.co.uk/openwater-swimming/">Bicester Performance Lake</a>, Bicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake.jpg" alt="Bicester Performance Lake" class="wp-image-146653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/Bicester-Performance-Lake-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This is a purpose-built 200m performance lake that is designed to help both amateur and experienced swimmers get to grips with the open water experience. It’s part of Bicester Hotel &amp; Spa and while guests have free access, visitors can access the lake on a pay-as-you-go basis from £7 a session. You can also pair your swim with a go on the assault course which runs alongside the lake, or better still book yourself in at the hotel&#8217;s Elemis Spa &#8211; bathrobes at the ready.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Just over the border:</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.braylake.com/">Bray Lake</a>, Maidenhead</h2>



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<p><a href="https://www.braylake.com/">Bray Lake</a>&nbsp;has it all going on – beautiful location and the largest independent water sports club in the country. It currently welcomes some 200 swimmers a week into its waters. From first timers to experienced triathletes, everyone is welcome, and swimming here is friendly and safe. If you want a challenge, there are a variety of distances to try. Before your first swim, you must&nbsp;<a href="https://customerweb.microshadeapplications.co.uk/BrayLake/common/scubaWebLogin.php?scubaAppName=stellar">register</a>&nbsp;and all sessions must be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.braylakeswimming.com/how-to-book-online.html">booked in advance</a>. If you’re a first timer, there’s an introduction to open water swimming course too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caversham-lakes-caversham"><a href="https://www.cavershamlakes.co.uk/open-water-swimming/">Caversham Lakes</a>, Caversham</h2>



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<p>Each open water swimming at Caversham Lakes, which must be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cavershamlakes.co.uk/open-water-swimming/#booking">pre-booked</a>, lasts an hour and there are three swim courses available (400m, 750m and 1,500m). Children aged 10 and over can swim with an adult – all participants just need to be able to swim 400m. Lifeguards keep a close eye on proceedings and help is always close at hand so relax and enjoy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taplow-lakeside-taplow"><a href="https://taplowlakeside.co.uk/">Taplow Lakeside</a>, Taplow</h2>



<p>Open water swims take place on Wed, Sat and Sun mornings and Thurs evenings at this family owned business on the Berks border. You will need a&nbsp;<a href="https://nowca.org/">National Open Water Coaching Association</a>&nbsp;(Nowca) membership to swim (membership is £15 a year including the wristband) and then single swims are £6.50. No children under 8 allowed and 8 to 12-year-olds will need to be accompanied by an adult. If you’re a newbie, Taplow will find you a swim buddy for your first few sessions and they run loads of&nbsp;<a href="https://taplowlakeside.co.uk/open-water-swimming/">great courses</a>. If you really love it, sign up for the New Year’s Eve annual swim (which is making me feel cold just thinking about it!)</p>



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<p>Near the Herts border? <a href="https://www.pool2lake.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pool2Lake Open Water Training</a>&nbsp;in Harpenden provides pro coaching for adults and kids at Denham (above) for those wanting to build confidence with wild swimming before taking the plunge. If you’re already a competent swimmer you can book on to a session at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/welwyn-hatfield/stanborough-park-water-sports-centre/open-water-swimming" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanborough Park</a>&nbsp;in Welwyn or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boxendpark.com/open-water-swimming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Box End Park</a>&nbsp;in Bedford.</p>


Dive in! Swimming lakes in Oxon & Bucks

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