Philip Nice

This collection of 28 walks guides you to secluded river spots and scenic wild swims. Dip in the clear water of internationally rare chalk streams like the River Kennet and River Itchen, as well as the wide, gentle waters of the Great Ouse and Thames. Explore routes rich in history, taking you past the Roman walls of Portchester Castle, through the tranquil landscape that inspired William Morris at Kelmscott Manor, and near the wartime code-cracking secrets of Bletchley Park. The walks offer invigorating dips with spectacular views, whether you are swimming near Windsor Castle, bathing near evocative ruins like Minster Lovell Hall, or enjoying the family-friendly sandy beaches of Frensham Great Pond. Find the perfect ramble and refreshment in historic Oxford, the serene Chilterns, or the surprising scenery of the Thames Valley