Nearest train station: Wolverton, Milton Keynes
Of the several rivers named “Ouse” in the UK, the River Great Ouse is the longest, winding all the way from Buckinghamshire to Norfolk. Unsurprisingly, the River Great Ouse offers many wild swimming spots as it traverses through a large chunk of eastern England, and this spot in Olney, Buckinghamshire is one of them.
Following the banks of the River Great Ouse from the footpath by St Peter & St Paul Church, you’ll eventually arrive at the Swimming Steps, which are a man-made crescent that sit along the banks of the river allowing easy access to the water.
The Olney Swimming Steps can also be reached from the neighbouring village of Clifton Reynes, offering a pleasant walk across the floodplain to the same spot.
How to Get to Olney Swimming Steps
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this pleasant wild swimming spot on the River Great Ouse by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
Enter the postcode MK46 4DA into your sat nav, which will take you to the Olney Recreation Ground car park. From here, it’s a short walk across the floodplain to the banks of the River Great Ouse (past Olney Tennis Club) to the Swimming Steps themselves.
Olney sits on the A509 between Milton Keynes and Wellingborough.
By public transport
The nearest train station to Olney is Wolverton, at the northern end of Milton Keynes. However, the more direct route is from Milton Keynes Central, with the 21 bus heading to Olney in about 45 minutes. Alight at The Bull stop, and then walk through the town via the tennis club to reach the swimming spot.
If you’re coming from Bedford (another nearby train station), then the 41 bus will get you to Olney in about an hour. Get off at Holes Lane and follow a similar route to the Swimming Steps past the tennis club.
By bike
The River Great Ouse offers loads of cycle routes that stretch across Buckinghamshire, neighbouring Northamptonshire and beyond.
Cycle north from Milton Keynes and loop around a section of the Grand Union Canal on your way to the pretty market town of Olney.
What else is nearby Olney Swimming Steps?
The Swimming Steps themselves offer a pleasant picnic spot and relaxation area on the banks of the River Great Ouse.
The market town of Olney is known for its annual pancake race and also features a neat outdoor theatre by the river known as the Arches Theatre.
Continue up the River Great Ouse for even more wild swimming spots as it snakes into the nearby counties of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and see what you can find!