Walks taken from, or inspired by, the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association book 'Wild Swimming Walks' and its successor in the Wild Swimming Walks series 'Wild Swimming Walks Thames & West'*. Come along or do your own!
To tie in with the launch of WSW Thames & West one of the authors (myself, Philip) is leading the following 5 walks from it. As well as being splendid walks with great swims, they are tied together by the themes firstly of literature and secondly of access, and in the course of each, mention will be made of authors linked with the area, and of the state of access for swimming in the vicinity. For details see 'Upcoming Walks' below. All welcome, including those who only want to walk not swim, but so we have an idea of numbers, for these 5 walks please either get a ticket (free) from Eventbrite or join the Swim Walks – Wild Swimming Walks SE Facebook group (link above) and say you are Going on the relevant Event:11 April Oxford's Waterways (done); 2 May Cholsey to Pangbourne (done); 30 May Henley on Thames (done); 27 June Wraysbury (near Egham); 5 July - NB Sunday - Shalford (near Guildford). (Incidentally the Wraysbury and Shalford weekends have been swapped compared to as originally advertised due to engineering works affecting trains to Wraysbury and Guildford).
Just wear whatever you usually wear to walk in and bring whatever you like to swim in , and a packed lunch.
*Can be ordered at wildthingspublishing.com
The small print:
Neither the leaders or organisers of the walks nor administrators of Swim Walks are able to assume legal responsibility for group members or others.
All participants must be solely responsible for making their own assessment as to the risks involved in any swim, and also the risks involved in the non-swimming parts of any walk.
Neither the swims nor the non-swimming parts of the walks are led or supervised by qualified individuals and no insurance is in place.
The decision to participate must therefore be taken individually, and participants must not rely (in whole or in part) on views or information provided by leaders or organisers of walks or the administrators of this facebook group.
If you are in any doubt about the safety of a swim or your ability to complete it, you should not take part.
Further, to the maximum extent permitted by law:
all persons involved in leading or organising these walks or administrating this facebook group exclude any liability for personal injury, death or other harm or loss to walk participants or any other person or organisation as a result of their negligence or other breach of legal duty.
Upcoming walks:
Saturday 27 June Wraysbury (near Egham).
Start 10:15 at the station. 5 miles easy walk by the Colne Brook and down to the Thames opposite historic Runnymede meadow, and back past ruined Ankerwycke Priory and the ancient Ankerwycke Yew. Probably a dip in the Brook and a longer swim possible in the Thames. Recommended train from London the 9:27 from Paddington which arrives at Wraysbury at 10:12, where one can also park. Estimated finish 16:00.
Sunday 5 July Shalford (near Guildford).
Start 10:10 at the station.
8 miles, starting and finishing along the beautiful swimming river of the canalised Wey, with in between an excursion along the wooded Greensand Ridge to take in the glorious view from St Martha's church. Expect two chances to swim. Recommended train from London 9:00 from Waterloo, change at Guildford to arrive at Shalford 10:01, where one can also park. Finish probably around 17:00.
Our most recent walk:
Henley on Thames
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