The best wild swimming in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire has some wonderfully unexpected places to swim, from former clay pits transformed into striking blue lakes to quiet wildlife reserves hidden among the countryside.
The Blue Lagoon at Bletchley is perhaps the most dramatic. Once a clay pit operated by London Brick, it flooded in 1947 and was later landscaped as a nature reserve, opening to the public in 1994. Its deep, clear waters reach around 18 metres and have attracted both swimmers and a diving club, although local authorities regard swimming as undesirable. Despite its urban-fringe setting, the surrounding reserve feels remarkably natural, with wildflowers, dragonflies and butterflies, and even red lamps along the paths to avoid disturbing bats.
At Charndon, Calvert Jubilee Lake offers a quieter experience: a remote former clay pit filled with striking blue water and surrounded by wildlife-rich countryside.
Ready to explore further? Discover more wild swimming and off-the-tourist-track places in the Wild Swimming Britain, Wild Swimming Walks Thames West and the Wild Guide South East
