Swim London 2027
Ride the Tide. Swim the Capital.
5KM and 10KM open-water swimming through London on the tidal Thames.
Date to be announced
Join the priority list to be first to receive the 2027 date, entry launch and early access information.
Our partners
The Swim
Swim through London.
Take on 5KM or 10KM of the tidal Thames, riding the current from west London towards Putney in one of the capital’s most distinctive mass-participation sporting experiences.
5KM
A challenging but accessible tidal Thames swim.
10KM
The full Swim London experience from Brentford to Putney.
The inaugural event · September 2026
London swam the Thames.
- Official finishers
- 142
- Two distances
- 10KM + 5KM
- Through London
- Brentford → Putney
- Start waves
- 6
The route
Ride the Tide through London.
Swimmers follow the tidal Thames downstream through west London towards Putney, with the current behind them.
- 10KMBrentford → Putney
- 5KMBarnes → Putney
Final 2027 route and event timings are subject to approval.
10 km
Brentford to Putney — first wave 11:15
- Brentforddownstream
- Kewdownstream
- Chiswickdownstream
- Hammersmithdownstream
- Putney Embankment (outside Imperial Boathouse)
5 km
Barnes to Putney — first wave 12:10
- Barnesdownstream
- Hammersmithdownstream
- Putney Embankment (outside Imperial Boathouse)
Route summaries only, not exact swimmer navigation. Start access points, wave arrangements and detailed course information are confirmed in the participant guide for each edition.
From the river
What our swimmers said.
“This was the best swim event I have taken part in. So well organised, safe, fast and fun.”
“Everything ran so smoothly and I felt very safe with all the support crew. It was a very special day.”
“A brilliant day. Great organisation throughout and a superb safety crew … I’ll be back next year!”
Swim London 2027 · Date to be announced
Get 2027 Priority Access.
Be first to receive the 2027 date, entry launch and early access information.
Joining the priority list does not guarantee an entry.
By joining, you agree to receive occasional emails from Swim London. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.
Why Swim London exists
More than a swim.
Swim London exists to create extraordinary swimming experiences in the capital while helping build momentum towards a cleaner, safer and more accessible Thames.
We believe London should have a world-class urban swimming event worthy of one of the world’s great rivers.
Safe urban swimming
Cleaner waterways
Mass participation
Reconnecting London with its river
Athlete-led
Swim London was founded by Olympian and marathon swimmer Toby Robinson with the ambition of creating a world-class open-water swimming event in the heart of London.
About Swim LondonSafety & credibility
Built around swimmer safety.
Swim London works with experienced event operators, professional water safety teams and the relevant river authorities. Water quality is monitored in the run-up to the swim, with clear go/no-go thresholds agreed in advance — swimmer health always comes first.
Partners
Working with the best in open water.
Event Partners
Totally Thames
Swim London 2026 was part of Totally Thames, London’s river festival.
Catch Swim
Open-water swimming experiences and events.
NOWCA
The UK’s open-water swimming venue and timing network.
Restube
Inflatable safety buoys trusted by open-water swimmers worldwide.
The Magic5
Custom-fit open-water swimming goggles worn by swimmers worldwide.
Supporting Organisations
Latest from Swim London
Stories and updates.
Swim London 2026
On Sunday morning, standing beside the Thames at Brentford, an idea that had occupied almost every part of my life finally became real.
Swim London Completes Successful Trial Swim on the Thames
We successfully completed a full trial of the Swim London route from Brentford to Putney. The day provided a brilliant first glimpse of what's coming to the Thames this September.
History of the Lords and Commons Cup
The Lords and Commons Swimming Cup stands as a remarkable testament to both the rise and fall of Thames swimming culture and the river's environmental health. This parliamentary-backed championship, which ran from 1877 to approximately 1960, not only legitimized outdoor swimming as a respectable sport but also served as an unwitting barometer of the Thames' deteriorating condition during the height of the Industrial Revolution.
Essential FAQs
The questions swimmers ask most.
Answers to the essentials. Full FAQs are on the FAQ page.
How do I enter Swim London?
What distances are available and what do they cost?
Where does the event start and finish?
Do I need open-water swimming experience?
What is the participant cancellation policy?
Swim London 2027 · Date to be announced
This happened in 2026. In 2027, it’s coming back.
Be first to receive the 2027 date, entry launch and early access information.
Joining the priority list does not guarantee an entry.
By joining, you agree to receive occasional emails from Swim London. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.