Nearest train station: Hungerford
This little-known wild swimming spot on the River Kennet is located in the small village of Axford, which is roughly situated equidistant between the larger village of Ramsbury and the market town of Marlborough.
Helen’s parents moved to this beautiful part of Wiltshire a few years ago and we love visiting the area in and around the River Kennet, the Pewsey Vale and beyond. Despite being landlocked, Wiltshire has some great wild swimming spots!
This particular spot is a short walk from a gate on Kings Drive (just before you take a left onto Stone Lane to reach Axford village) and sees you cross the River Kennet over a short bridge before arriving at a pool that is easily accessed by a weir. Enjoy the typically clear waters of the River Kennet with care in this spot however: there is a small dam just adjacent to the pool which generates a strong current around it, so make sure you don’t swim too near.
We’ve added a video below of our recent trip there which should give you a flavour of where the current is:
How to Get to the River Kennet at Axford
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this wild swimming location on the River Kennet by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
This is quite a specific spot, though entering the postcode SN8 2EX (Axford highstreet) should bring you in the right direction. If you’re coming in off the A4 between Marlborough and Hungerford, take the exit onto Kings Drive and then head right at the small junction before parking up to a gate a hundred metres or so before Stone Lane.
Following the footpath north, the pool lies just downstream of the bridge leading to Church Farm in Axford.
By public transport
The nearest train station to this spot is Hungerford, though from here you’ll struggle to progress further without the aid of taxis, a bike or a car given its remoteness.
By bike
This area of Wiltshire, with its rural charm and rolling hills is a cyclist’s dream. You can easily make a bike ride a big part of your River Kennet wild swimming adventures, whether you’re traversing routes around Hungerford, Marlborough or Savernake Forest.
Check out this stunning Wiltshire cycle route which loops around Axford and includes parts of Savernake Forest, Pewsey Vale and Barbury Castle.
What else is nearby Axford?
Aside from visiting the mystical Savernake Forest (be sure to visit the ancient King of Limbs tree), the market town of Marlborough has plenty of history and independent shops and cafes to explore.
There’s also another River Kennet swimming spot in Marlborough that’s worth visiting too, just outside the town.