Take the Plunge

There can't be many better places to cool off than in the shadow of Belvoir Castle, its turrets rising over the Vale like something from a fairy tale. This outdoor swim welcomes people of all abilities, with three distances to choose from: 1 mile, 2.5km, and 5km.

Few things beat open water swimming on a hot day, and Box End lake near Bedford is a brilliant place to do it. The event has distances from 750m to 5k, so you can take a quick dip or properly go for it with a longer swim.

This is the one for sea swimmers. Held off Dawlish Warren in Devon, the Dawlish Swim offers a choice of 750m, 1500m or 3000m, with safety cover from the local surf lifesaving club. Wetsuits are optional, so you can brave it in just a swimsuit if you fancy it.

A 1.5km swim down the Thames that ends, as all good swims should, at the pub. You'll start at Henley Rowing Club, head upstream, then turn and ride the current down to the Angel on the Bridge, where a cold beer and a BBQ on the terrace are waiting.

Never swum in open water before? There's a 250m taster to ease you in, plus a 3k race and sponsored challenges for the more experienced. You'll be in safe hands, with Olympic medallist Cassie Patten hosting on Bowmoor Lake - plus, the challenge raises money for Alzheimer's Research.

Swim at Dorney Lake, the rowing venue from the 2012 Olympics, over whichever distance suits you, from 2.5km up to 10km. The water is calm and sheltered, which makes it a good place to take on a longer swim without the chop of a river or the sea.