Kennet Thames confluence

This swim isn’t for everyone, I would recommend trying it in the summer first when the water is warmer. You have to climb over a waist high fence and go down a ladder into the water. Once you are in, the nearest exit point is probably around 200 metres away. The beauty of this spot is that it goes with the flow of the river (it can be fast in the winter). You can choose where you want to exit. The Thames Valley Park beach is about 1km down river from here.

Park on Thames Valley Park Drive, walk towards the river and head left. Up past the boat house, follow the footpath until it turns into a footbridge that goes over the Kennet. Don’t go over the bridge, instead go under the bridge keeping the river Kennet on your right hand side. About 10 metres after you leave the bridge you will see the ladder, this is your entry point.

The ease of access is going to vary from individual to individual. If you can straddle a metal pole fence (like a hand rail) on your tip toes and climb down a narrow ladder you will be fine. Once in the water there is a shelf you can stand on (personally I prefer shoes since there could be hazards). Then push away from the shelf and you are in. Or step off the shelf by accident and fall in like my friend Simon does regularly!