Swimming in Cambridge

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

1 swim spots

1 water type

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Best Swim Spots in Cambridge

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Grantchester Meadows, River Cam

River

Intermediate

The stretch of the Cam running along Grantchester Meadows, between Newnham and Grantchester village, has been swum for more than 500 years, by Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf among many others. The banks are steep and weedy in places, so find a spot where you can climb out before you get in. Local testing suggests cleaner water towards the Newnham end; skip it for a few days after heavy rain.

Open Water Swimming in Cambridge

Cambridge offers 1 open water swimming locations across River environments. Whether you are a beginner looking for a calm, sheltered swim or an experienced open water swimmer seeking a challenge, there are options for every level.

Before heading out to any swim spot in Cambridge, check current water conditions on SwimPass. Our SwimScore combines real-time weather, marine data, tides, and water quality into a single 0-100 rating so you can make an informed decision in seconds.

New to open water swimming? Start with our safety guide and first swim guide before heading to any new spot.

Swimming Guides

Prepare for your swim in Cambridge with these guides.

Open Water Safety

Risk assessment, gear, and emergency procedures

Reading Conditions

Waves, tides, currents, and weather patterns

Ocean Swimming

Waves, rip currents, and a progression plan

Cold Water Swimming

Acclimatization, gear, and safe exposure

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