Club to Pub

George Orwell, well before his fame as an author, spent his formative years in these reaches of the Thames, often found lingering by Shiplake Lock with a fishing rod in hand. He would have watched the water move with the same rhythmic, steady flow that greets participants of the Club to Pub each July. The river, a constant companion to the town’s history, serves as the stage for this 1500m challenge, where the currents dictate the flow of the race just as they shaped the landscape for centuries. Unlike the still waters of the distant gravel pits at Dinton Pastures, which were carved out by 20th-century industry, the stretch between the rowing club and the bridge remains a pulse of natural movement.

The water and the path

Swimmers depart from the Henley Rowing Club, heading upstream for the initial 400m. This leg requires navigating against the river’s natural push, a test of rhythm before reaching the turnaround marked by two large buoys. Once the turn is completed, the remaining 1100m carry you downstream, hugging the Mill Meadow bank. This is where the river's history becomes tactile; you pass the legacy of Bolney Ferry, once the site of 'Beggar's Hole', where barge horses were ferried across the water in the 18th century. Further along the banks, the local flora, such as the Loddon lily, thrives in the wet meadows, providing a seasonal backdrop to the race. While the route feels intimate, it is part of a broader network of events, including the longer-distance swims found at the Thames Marathon in Marlow or the mid-summer Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta.

Race day logistics

Scheduled for July 25, 2026, the event is open to swimmers 18 and older, with wetsuits remaining optional for those who prefer them. The entry fee of £24 supports the race logistics, including the necessary safety management for an evening on the Thames. Participants are rewarded with a commemorative bottle-opening medal and a bottle of beer at the Angel on the Bridge, where a BBQ awaits on the terrace. For those who find the return walk of 700m daunting after the swim, a river taxi service operates between the pub and the rowing club, ensuring the transit remains part of the post-race experience. The event’s commitment to the community is further reflected in its partnership with Level Water, an organization dedicated to providing swimming access for children with disabilities, emphasizing that the river is a resource to be shared by all.