Nearest train station: Sandwich
The River Stour in Kent offers plenty of wild swimming spots, some of which we’ve documented here in the form of Pluck’s Gutter and Fordwich.
Following the Stour further towards the English Channel and you’ll reach the charming medieval town of Sandwich, which lies to the south of Ramsgate and to the north of Deal and Dover.
Sandwich is popular for its old village charm and storied history, with visitors enjoying walks along the Stour all to the way to the stunning Sandwich Bay on the coast.
If you’re looking for a wild swimming location on the River Stour, then there’s a lovely spot that lies just off the path if you’re walking eastward out of the village and towards Sandwich Bay through the gold club.
How to Get to the River Stour at Sandwich
The River Stour runs through Sandwich and there are plenty of offshoots and tributaries to explore. We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this specific location by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
The Google Maps link above will take you the brilliant Sandwich Medieval Centre, which on open days sees local volunteers tell tales of the town’s past while dressed in medieval regalia. The postcode here is CT13 9EN, and this will you take you to Sandwich’s main car park on The Quay, which right on the banks of the Stour.
Follow the path into the greenery beyond the kid’s playground and then onto Green Wall Road, which is the public footpath that leads to the sea via the golf club.
As you reach an area with corn fields to the left and a section of grass to the right (just before the path gets particularly beautiful with an overhang of hedges as you walk through), head off the path and walk around 50 metres before you reach an offshoot of the river to the south.
Here, there is a wooded bank area where you can decamp for a picnic and access the water with ease. Looking at Google Maps, the spot is roughly parallel to the location of Dunearne Cottage.
By public transport
Sandwich is served by a train station which is operated by Southeastern Rail, and is on the Kent Coast Line between Ramsgate and Deal.
The station is just to the south of the town centre, though isn’t more than a ten-minute walk to the River Stour and the main area of town.
By bike
This part of the Kent coast is well served by cycle routes, with many visitors opting to extend routes such as the Thanet Loop or head all the way down to Dover.
If you’re visiting with your bike, make you visit the incredible Ham Sandwich sign just south of the town on the way to Deal – you won’t regret it.
What else is nearby the River Stour at Sandwich?
Sandwich offers a charming visit, and you’re not far away from the larger coastal towns of Deal, Dover and Ramsgate too. We’ve listed a couple of nearby River Stour wild swimming options at the top of this page, though a lovely nearby sea swimming spot worth exploring is St Margaret’s Bay near Dover.