Surrey has more open water than its reputation suggests, but not all of it is open to swimmers. The reliable options are the ones with clear rules: a council-managed pond with marked swimming areas, and two lakes where you book a session. Start with the most pressing point: check before you go; Frensham is currently off-limits.
Frensham Great Pond, between Farnham and Hindhead
Waverley Borough Council warns visitors not to enter the water at Frensham Great Pond because of blue-green algae. According to Surrey Live, a park ranger spotted it on Friday 19 June and a “do not swim” warning followed that afternoon. The Environment Agency confirmed the algae on 23 June. Signs stay up until further notice, and the council says it will post updates on its website and social media.
The council describes blue-green algae as natural but potentially harmful to people, animals, birds and fish, and especially harmful to dogs. It cannot be removed once established. Blooms follow warm weather, then heavy rain, then more warm, still conditions. The health effects the council lists include dermatitis, eye irritation, rashes, blistering, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and nausea. Read the council's alert for the latest position.
When the water is clear, this is the best known place to swim in the county. The pond sits either side of the A287 within roughly 1,000 acres of heath, owned by the National Trust and managed mostly by Waverley Borough Council. Swimming is allowed only at the Great Pond, in the two marked areas, and only when no algae is present. The areas are marked by buoys, with a sandy shoreline, a café and toilets. Surrey Live reports a maximum depth of 1.4 m in the swimming areas, and the rest of the water is used for fishing and sailing.
There is no swimming at Frensham Little Pond at any time.
No paddleboards or inflatables, and no barbecues or bonfires, because of the wildfire risk on the heath.
In hot weather the car park is usually full by 10am, and the council says that once it is full, the site is full. Go early.
Sailing is for Frensham Pond Sailing Club members and guests only.
The café serves hot and cold drinks, ice creams, burgers, bacon rolls, chips and cakes.
Parking is charged and there is no cash at the Great Pond, so bring a card or use an app. Check the current tariff before you set out. Surrey Live reports the water was rated excellent when last inspected, though the pond has a history of summer algae. More background is on the Surrey Hills page for the pond, which notes it was created in the 13th century to supply fish to the Bishop of Winchester's court at Farnham Castle.
Buckland Park Lake, Betchworth
Between Dorking and Reigate, Buckland Park Lake, Park Lake Drive, Buckland, Betchworth, RH3 7FE, is a 50 acre lake, one of the largest bodies of water in Surrey. Swimming is by pre-booked session only, run by the Surrey Hills Adventure Company. Day visitors without a booking cannot get in the water, and the estate says swimming is not otherwise permitted.
The swim is a 400 m loop in the lagoon. Surrey Live describes it as spring-fed and open all year, with a gradual entry on one side and a maximum depth of 3 m. Summer sessions are billed as open water and winter ones as cold water. Swimming clubs have used the lagoon since 2016.
The company's page showed £105 for 12 sessions, which works out at £8.75 each, with a single swim priced at £10 on an event listing in 2025. Confirm current prices when you book on the Surrey Hills Adventure Company site. There is a swim shop on site selling hats, gloves, booties, wetsuits and dry robes. Afterwards, the Reverie restaurant has lake views from its terrace, though dogs are not allowed.
It suits regular swimmers and anyone who wants a staffed, organised session rather than a gamble on the weather. For a longer day, the Surrey Hills National Landscape has run a 8.5 km walk from Reigate Heath to the lake, which makes a sensible route to borrow.
Divers Cove, Godstone
Divers Cove, North Park Lane, Godstone, RH9 8ND, is a 7.3 acre former sand extraction site that glows turquoise in sunshine, according to the venue. It has two buoyed circuits, 450 m and 650 m. Surrey Live says sessions run year round and must be booked online in advance, with pay as you go tickets and membership both available through the Divers Cove site.
Swimmers need a brightly coloured hat and a tow float, both of which can be hired on the day. Surrey Live gave a price of £11.99 a person, so check it when booking. There are barrel saunas, and a sauna session includes a dip in the lake rather than a full swim. Selected sessions serve artisan pizzas.
Water quality: what the labels mean
None of the places above is confirmed as an official designated bathing water. For designated sites, the Environment Agency samples during the bathing season, 15 May to 30 September, testing for E. coli and intestinal enterococci, then classifies each as Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor. Its Swimfo service lets you look up designated sites. The Outdoor Swimming Society cautions that the Water Quality Explorer is for monitoring and is not a safe to swim today signal.
The first designated stretch of the Thames is at Ham in Kingston, which is in London and not Surrey. It is a useful reminder that algae warnings can appear on any water in warm spells.
Rivers and informal spots
Rivers are harder. The River Mole is described by Surrey Live as a sleepy tributary of the Thames, rich in wildlife, but no organised swimming spot is named, so we do not point anyone to an entry point. At Tilford on the River Wey, the parish council has put up no swimming signs. Informal swimming on the Thames at places such as Dumsey Meadow near Chertsey has no lifeguards and no official status, and boats pass close by.
Before you get in
Look for a powdery green scum, usually on the downwind side of a lake, and stay out if you see it. The Outdoor Swimming Society says it can cause rashes and eye irritation and make you sick if swallowed.
Keep dogs out of any water with an algae warning.
Book organised sessions ahead and check the venue's page on the day.
Cold water and rivers carry extra risks. Read the RNLI and Outdoor Swimming Society guidance before swimming anywhere unsupervised.
