The beautiful swimming lake hidden 20 minutes from Croydon that feels like you’re in Mediterranean

You can hop out onto the grassy shore and bask in the glorious rays, as though one was in the Mediterranean and not a stone’s throw from the A25

Tucked away in a village near the Surrey and Croydon border is one of the most stunning locations to travel to for an open-air swim. If you’re looking to escape the beating London sun, forget the swamped lidos of Brockwell and Tooting Bec, and instead head for the 7.3-acre reservoir at Divers Cove in Godstone.

The shimmering turquoise lagoon surrounded by lush woodland can be reached in just a 20 minute drive from Sanderstead, in Croydon, heading through Warlingham and down the Caterham Bypass. Due to the now infamous Godstone sinkhole, it makes sense to then take the A22 as far as the Eastbourne Road roundabout and then head back to Godstone that way to reach Divers Cove.

The water quality is excellent due to the lake’s natural biodiversity and sandy bottom. This time of year, the temperature warms up to around 25C, making it the ideal time for newcomers to open-water wild swimming for the first time.

Plus, all sessions are supervised by a lifeguard so you can have peace of mind whilst completing your laps. You can then hop out onto the grassy shore and bask in the glorious rays, as though one was in the Mediterranean and not a stone’s throw from the A25.

As such, relaxation is practically guaranteed at Surrey’s hidden gem – but the fun doesn’t end there. The Cove also offers sauna and ice barrels that up the zen factor to the max. The hand-built wooden pods and whisky barrels are located right by the lake, giving you an idyllic view as you take in the unique experience.

A café is on hand to fulfil hungry bellies after a long day, with chefs crafting delicious pizzas on site every Friday evening. There are also plenty of changing rooms, toilets, and parking spots available.

Once a sand extraction site, over the next few months, people will be able to enjoy morning yoga in a cabin beside the glistening water too. Qualified yoga instructor Anna Rooke runs yoga and wild swimming retreats at the beautiful cove to give members of the public an opportunity to connect with nature at this unique, peaceful and magical destination.

Her half day retreats, taking place on June 20, July 5, August 30 and September 6, will include revitalising yoga flow to start the day, replenishing yin yoga and a blissful deep relaxation experience (yoga nidra). The intimate and relaxed experiences includes wild swimming or dipping in the stunning lake, time to unwind in the lakeside barrel saunas and tuck into hot drinks and tasty treats.

No previous experience of yoga is required as Anna tailors the sessions to whoever is coming on the day. She likes to bring a playful element to her classes and the emphasis is on enjoying the yoga, not being good at it.

No previous experience of wild swimming is required either and many people find the retreats as a great opportunity to try out lake swimming, or try out Divers Cove, for the first time as they will be doing it as part of a group.

How to get to Divers Cove and how much it costs to swim

Divers Cove in Godstone is only accessible from North Park Lane off the A25. You need to take the first right hand turning on North Park Lane and turn right immediately. Drive up the slope and through the gates to find the car park.

The best option for a single visit or casual swimmers is paying-as-you-go for £11.99. This entitles you to 60 minutes in the water.

You can also opt for a yearly Bronze membership for £4.99, making each swim just £9.99 after that. There is also the option of Silver (£24.99) and Gold (£49.99), which have additional benefits like discounts on food and drink.

You must also hire a tow float, and bring or hire a brightly coloured hat for safety reasons.

For more information or to book your slot, head to the Divers Cove website.

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