About The Book
Want to find the very best places to swim outdoors in London and the South East?
In Swimming Wild in South East England, outdoor adventurer Natasha Sones guides you to more than 100 of the finest rivers, lakes, lidos and beaches across London, the Home Counties and beyond. Many locations also feature tempting saunas, so you can extend the wellness benefits of your swim.
Each spot is carefully chosen to showcase the region’s remarkable variety. Take a dip in an unexpected urban oasis at London’s Canary Wharf, swimming beneath soaring skyscrapers, or escape the city at West Reservoir or the Serpentine Lido. For a more rural experience, head to Oxfordshire for a swim in the Thames, or to Surrey’s Longside Lake, where lifeguarded blue-green waters are paired with a lakeside sauna.
Along the coast, the book highlights both iconic destinations and quieter hidden gems, from St Margaret’s Bay in Kent beneath the White Cliffs of Dover to Brighton, where classic sea swims sit alongside heated lido dips at Sea Lanes.
Drawing on her extensive experience, Natasha shares clear, practical advice on access points, safety, tides and currents, conditions underfoot, and potential hazards. With guidance on essential kit, Ordnance Survey and custom maps, transport and parking details, and cafe recommendations for a well-earned post-swim treat, this book has everything you need.
Whether you’re a seasoned wild swimmer or just starting out, Swimming Wild in South East England is packed with inspiration for your next adventure.
About the Author
Natasha Sones is a passionate year-round wild swimmer, outdoor adventurer and freelance travel writer with a deep love of all things water. She has taken part in numerous outdoor swimming events, including the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships in January 2025, and has paddleboarded in some remarkable locations. Highlights include a solo journey around the Helsinki archipelago in 2023, supported by the Adventure Queens Grant, and competing in a SUP race in the Alps in 2024. Closer to home, Natasha volunteers with the Bluetits Chill Swimmers – an inclusive, free-to-join social swim community – and she is also an Ordnance Survey Champion. Researching swim spots across London and South East England for her first book has been a dream come true. Along the way, Natasha has made new friends, taken part in events, shared memorable experiences with friends and family, and embraced everything from solo swims and icy dips to swimming in the sea alongside 500 other women. She has pushed herself from being a casual dipper to confidently swimming a mile. Natasha holds a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and has over 20 years’ experience as an editor, writer, journalist and blogger. She is also a qualified stand-up paddleboarding instructor. She lives near the sea and forest in East Anglia with her husband, three children and dogs. Swimming Wild in South East England is her first book.
