Surrey has a strong spread of managed lakes where you can swim with lifeguards, marked loops and proper changing areas. For most people, a managed venue is the safest way to start open water swimming in Surrey: Divers Cove in Godstone, Buckland Park Lake near Dorking and Longside Lake near Egham all run booked, lifeguarded sessions with marked loops, so you can build confidence before trying anything wilder.
Prices, booking rules and opening times change by season, and some venues update their timetables month by month. Once you know the price, the rules and when each lake opens, choosing your first swim gets much easier.
If you’re still weighing up options beyond the county, you can compare spots for open water swimming near me. Then pick a lake, book a slot and get your kit ready for your first swim.
Which Managed Swimming Venues Can You Choose?
You can choose from six main managed lakes across Surrey, from the Surrey Hills in the south to the Thames-side lakes near Chertsey and Shepperton. Each one has lifeguards and set loops, but they differ in loop length, extras such as saunas, and how far ahead you need to plan.
Buckland Park Lake: The SHAC near Dorking and Reigate
Buckland Park Lake sits between Dorking and Reigate, close to Betchworth, in the Surrey Hills. The Surrey Hills Adventure Company (The SHAC) runs all activities in and on the water, including swimming and paddleboarding.
The lake suits you if you want a pretty, countryside swim with other water sports on site. The SHAC also promotes wellbeing sessions alongside its swims, and its programme has included extras such as e-foil and yoga.
The SHAC open water swimming sessions are aimed at swimmers, triathletes and anyone swimming for fitness or mental wellness. Book ahead, as popular summer slots fill fast.
Divers Cove: Managed Lake Swimming in Godstone
Divers Cove is a former sand extraction site in Godstone with clear, turquoise water. It is one of the warmest lakes you will find nearby, with the water reaching an average of 25°C by summer’s end.
You get two marked circuits of 450m and 650m, watched by trained lifeguards. There’s also a café, changing rooms, lockers (bring a padlock) and wood-fired saunas by the shore.
Shepperton Open Water Swim: Ferris Meadow Lake
Shepperton Open Water Swim runs on Ferris Meadow Lake, close to the Thames in Shepperton. It is popular with triathletes and regular fitness swimmers from the north of the county and the edge of London.
Check its own booking page for current prices and session times before you travel, as it publishes these directly.
Thorpe Lakes: Swimming near Chertsey
Thorpe Lakes sits near Chertsey, in the cluster of old gravel pits around Thorpe. It’s handy if you live near the M25 or Staines and want a quick swim before or after work. Confirm the season dates and booking rules on the venue’s own site, since these lakes often share water with other sports.
QuaySwim: The Quays in Mytchett near Camberley
QuaySwim is based at The Quays in Mytchett, near Camberley, on a clear spring-fed lake. It runs early morning and evening sessions at weekends and on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the season.
The venue offers coaching, wetsuit hire and a lakeside sauna. It’s a good pick if you live in the west of Surrey or near the Hampshire border.
Longside Lake: Swim Loops for Different Abilities
Longside Lake, run by CJM Ski and Wake near Egham, has the widest range of loops on this list. You can pick from 200m, 500m and 800m loops, plus a 50m loop close to the dock for first-timers.
That short loop makes it a gentle place for your first swim. The longer loops suit anyone training for the swim leg of a triathlon. For more ideas further afield, browse the best lakes for open swimming in the UK.
How Do Booking, Access and Prices Compare?
Most Surrey lakes ask you to book ahead, and some also need you to register online first. Single swims at the venues that publish prices run from about £6 to £12, with cheaper rates if you buy in bulk or join as a member.
Which Venues Require Advance Booking, Registration or an Induction?
Divers Cove is strict: you must have a pre-booked session to get in, and nobody enters the water until the safety team says so. The SHAC also asks you to pre-book through its website.
At QuaySwim, everyone must register online and complete a one-off waiver before swimming or coaching. Longside Lake says booking in advance is preferred, so you can sometimes turn up, but booking is safer.
Registration takes around five minutes, so do it the night before. Turning up without it is the easiest way to miss your slot.
How Much Do Single Swims, Memberships and Courses Cost?
Only some venues list their prices publicly. Here is what the published rates show:
| Venue | Single swim | Bulk or member rate | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divers Cove | £11.99 (60 mins) | £9.99 to £7.99 members | Intro course £49.99, wetsuit hire £10 |
| Longside Lake | £7 | 10 swims for £60 | Tow float hire £3 |
| Thames Young Mariners | £6 (30 min blocks) | n/a | Bring your own kit |
| The SHAC, QuaySwim, Shepperton, Thorpe Lakes | Check venue site | Check venue site | Check venue site |
Divers Cove memberships renew automatically after 365 days, so cancel in your account if you don’t want to carry on. Thames Young Mariners, run by Surrey Outdoor Learning, charges £6 per session, though you need to bring all your own kit.
When Are Sessions Available, and What Facilities Are Provided?
Session times change with the season and daylight. Longside Lake’s October 2026 timetable looks like this:
- Monday: 16:00 to 18:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 to 10:00
- Friday: 14:00 to 18:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 to 10:00
- Tuesday and Thursday: no swimming
Thames Young Mariners is tidal, so swims run roughly every other week when the water level suits. Its winter season runs at weekends only.
For facilities, Divers Cove has the fullest set, with changing rooms, toilets, parking, a café and saunas. QuaySwim adds a sauna, while Thames Young Mariners has no kit to borrow, so pack carefully.
How Can Beginners Prepare for Their First Lake Swim?
The best way to prepare is to book a short beginner course, hire a wetsuit if you don’t own one, and start on the shortest loop. You need to be able to swim confidently where you can’t touch the bottom.
Choosing an Introduction to Open Water Swimming Course
An introduction to open water swimming course teaches you how to get in safely, sight buoys and handle cold water. Divers Cove runs a 90-minute course for £49.99, which is a sensible first step if you’ve only swum in pools.
Look for a course with small groups and qualified coaches. Divers Cove uses Level 2 STA coaches and runs coached sessions every Sunday from 9am to 10am.
If you’d like to join a group, Swim England lists more than 150 open water clubs across England. Pool sessions for beginners and improvers also help you build the stamina you’ll need.
What Should You Bring, and Can You Hire a Wetsuit?
Pack your bag the night before so nothing gets left behind:
- Wetsuit (or hire one on site)
- Goggles
- Brightly coloured swim hat
- Tow float
- Shoes for walking to the water
- Warm layers and a hot drink for afterwards
- Padlock for lockers at Divers Cove
Wetsuit hire is available at Divers Cove (£10 per session) and QuaySwim. A tow float is required at Longside Lake and for non-wetsuit swimmers at Divers Cove, and safety buoy floats make you easy for lifeguards to spot. Expect a wait for hire kit on busy summer weekends, so arrive 20 minutes early. Our list of swim essentials covers the rest.
Choosing a Suitable Swim Loop and Building Confidence
Start with the shortest loop you can find, even if you swim long distances in the pool. Open water feels harder at first because you can’t push off walls and the cold tightens your breathing.
Longside Lake’s 50m loop near the dock is ideal for your first swim. After that, try the 200m loop, then move up as you settle.
Swim slowly for the first few minutes and breathe out fully. Lift your eyes every six to eight strokes to spot the next buoy.
What Safety Checks Matter Before You Swim?
Before every swim, check the venue’s notices, the weather and the water temperature, then plan a slow entry. These few minutes cut most of the risk from a lake swim.
Checking Water Quality, Weather and Venue Notices
Managed venues test their water and post notices when something changes. Thames Young Mariners takes monthly samples, with extra tests after heavy rain or sewage reports.
Check the venue’s social media on the morning of your swim. Lakes close for storms, lightning, blue-green algae or high water.
Surrey County Council advises you to check forecasts before you go out and to swim in designated areas. That advice matters even more if you’re tempted by unmanaged wild swimming spots.
Cold Water Shock and Safer Entry
Cold water shock makes you gasp and breathe fast when you first get in. It’s strongest in the first minute, so a slow entry protects you.
Walk in gently, splash your face and neck, and wait until your breathing calms before you start swimming. If you panic, the RNLI’s Float to Live advice is to lie back, spread your arms and float until you can breathe normally.
Divers Cove advises a wetsuit once the water drops below 16°C. Below 12°C, Thames Young Mariners shortens its course to a single 250m loop.
Following Supervision Rules and Warming Up After Your Swim
Lifeguards set the rules, so follow them every time. At Divers Cove, a hooter or whistle means you leave the water at the nearest exit straight away.
Stick to the marked buoys, swim parallel to the bank, and raise an arm if you need help. Cover small cuts with plasters before you get in.
After your swim, get dry and dressed fast, starting with your top half. Sip a warm drink and keep moving gently, and read more on staying warm and safe in open water.
Choose a Managed Venue That Fits Your Experience
Pick your venue by your experience and where you live. Managed lakes give you lifeguards, marked loops and changing areas, which makes open water swimming in Surrey easy to start.
If you’re brand new, Longside Lake’s 50m loop or the Divers Cove intro course will ease you in. If you want warm summer water and a sauna, Divers Cove in the east suits you, while QuaySwim covers the west.
For countryside views, Buckland Park Lake in the Surrey Hills is a lovely choice. Regular swimmers near the Thames can look at Shepperton, Thorpe Lakes or Longside for evening and early sessions.
Whichever lake you choose, book ahead, register online and check that week’s timetable before you drive over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free open-water swimming spots in Surrey?
There are stretches of river where people swim for free, but they have no lifeguards and the water quality isn’t tested in the same way. Paid managed lakes start from about £6 a session, which buys you safety cover. Learn more about outdoor and wild swimming before trying unmanaged spots.
Which managed swimming venues are closest to Guildford?
QuaySwim in Mytchett is the nearest option for most people in Guildford. Buckland Park Lake near Dorking is also a straightforward drive along the A25.
Where can I swim in open water near Redhill?
Divers Cove in Godstone and Buckland Park Lake near Reigate are both close to Redhill. Divers Cove has two marked loops, a café and saunas, and you must pre-book.
Is Shepperton Open Water Swim safe for beginners?
Shepperton Open Water Swim is a managed venue with lifeguards, so it’s a reasonable place to learn. Start on the shortest loop, wear a bright hat and tow float, and ask staff about beginner sessions when you book.
Can I swim outdoors in Surrey during winter?
Yes, some venues stay open all year, including Thames Young Mariners at weekends. Cold water swimming needs gloves, socks and a neoprene hat, and shorter swims. Read our tips on how to start cold water swimming before you try it.
