You can’t really beat the Serpentine Swim for a buzzing atmosphere & a convenient location. Organized by London Marathon Events, it’s a polished race in the heart of Hyde Park. I was lucky enough to do it in their first year, & it’s still a brilliant option for both beginners & competitive swimmers looking to test their speed.

• Date: 20 September 2025
• Distances on offer: Half Mile, One Mile & Two Miles
• Location: The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

Pros:

• Incredible atmosphere, with a mix of beginners & experienced swimmers.
• Super convenient location in central London.
• A great introduction to open water swimming or a competitive challenge.

Cons:

• Water quality is safe but murky.
• Lovely park setting, but the swim itself lacks dramatic scenery.

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Level Water’s River Swims are perfect for anyone ready to tackle longer distances. These events combine stunning locations with a friendly atmosphere. Their ballot system means spots sell out fast, but charity places are often available a bit longer.

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Bantham Swoosh

• Date: 12 July 2025
• Distances on offer: 6km (including the famous tidal “swoosh” section)
• Location: Bantham, Devon

Bantham Boomerang

• Date: 13 July 2025
• Distances on offer: Between 5km to 10km (out-&-back swim ‘choose your distance’ swim along the River Avon)
• Location: Bantham, Devon

Dart10km

• Date: 13/14 September 2025 (take your pick from the 2 days)
• Distances on offer: 10km
• Location: River Dart, Devon

Hurly Burly

• Date: 10 October 2025
• Distances on offer: 10km (with a fast-flowing tidal section)
• Location: Mawddach Estuary, Wales

Pros:

• Gorgeous scenery, with nature all around you.
• Friendly, supportive atmosphere with enthusiastic volunteers.
• Great feed stations & hot drinks at the finish line.
• A mix of swimmers, so you can go easy or push hard against strong competitors.

Cons:

• Water quality can be affected by rain, but Level Water keeps swimmers fully informed.
• These races can involve some travel for most people.
• Tickets sell out quickly—be ready when they go live!

Here’s a mix of quality open water events happening throughout the year.

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Great North Swim

• Date: 7–9 June 2025
• Distances on offer: 250m, 1 mile, 2 miles, 5km, 10km
• Location: Lake Windermere, Cumbria

Chillswim Coniston

• Date: 21 June 2025
• Distances on offer: 5.25 miles
• Location: Coniston Water, Lake District

Cardiff Bay Swim

• Date: 21 June 2025
• Distances on offer: 750m, 1.5km, 3km, 5km
• Location: Cardiff Bay, Wales

Brighton Pier to Pier Swim

• Date: 22 June 2025
• Distances on offer: 1km
• Location: Brighton Beach, Sussex

Bournemouth Pier to Pier

• Date: 5 July 2025
• Distances on offer: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
• Location: From Bournemouth to Boscombe Pier

Henley Swim Festival

• Date: 13 July 2025
• Distances on offer: 200m, 750m, 1.5km, 3km, 4km
• Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

SwimRutland

• Date: 4 August 2025
• Distances on offer: 500m, 2km, 4km
• Location: Rutland Water, East Midlands

Luss Loch Lomond Open Water Swim

• Date: 30 August 2025
• Distances on offer: 750m, 1.5km, 3km, 5km
• Location: Loch Lomond, Scotland

Castle Swim Series – Hever Castle

• Date: 27-28 September 2025
• Distances on offer: 400m, 750m, 1.5km, 3km, 5km
• Location: Hever Castle, Kent

If you’re after even more swimming adventures, platforms like Find a Race are excellent resources to explore. And if we’ve missed your favorite race, let us know! Drop it in the comments or suggest a region you’d like us to cover next.