Cambridge.
Punting, poets, nudity, swan fights and Jesus. Our first foray into cross country swimming.
Route — Cambridge
We read about the swimming at Grantchester meadows and asked around. Simon Earles, one of the first ever people to take part in our London Swimmer told us about the Newnham Swimming club.
A recce in Summer revealed the most wonderfully British scene. A hidden gem, riverside swimming club with a lovely lawn and a tidy shed as a club house. Eccentricity all round as we realised that the club encouraged skinny dipping. We stripped down to our birthday suits and jumped in with joy - a marvellous new route was born.
Start at Cambridge train station and head over over to Grantchester Meadows. Worth looking at a detailed map as there is a nice winding route through meadows, down the side of the botanical gardens and along the riverside woodland footpaths.
It’s then a mile or two down the side of the river to the Orchard Team rooms where the famous ‘Bloomsbury Set’ wrote their poetry. We recommend a tea break here as the tea and scones were first class.
Once you’ve refuelled, head back to the water for a swim back up the river and follow the route back the way you came, taking in the view from below the riverbank. As you near the end of the riverside paths – keep going, round two bends in the river where you can’t get out. Don’t worry, keep going.
You then come across the riverside entrance to Newnham Swimming club and a small English paradise. It’s possible to join the club for £15 and it’s well worth it (if you are comfortable getting out and getting your kit off).
From there, head through Cambridge, along the backs of the colleges to Jesus Green Lido for your final swim. We often finish with a wander back through Cambridge with a stop or two at the finest pubs (we like The Pint Shop).
Want to give this trip a go, but not ready to go it alone? We’ve teamed up with SwimTrek to offer a guided, trip round Cambridge.
