Rowing and river swimming in Cambridge
Adult learn-to-row courses, swimming in the Cam, the lido, what the water-quality status means and who runs the river.
The River Cam runs through the middle of Cambridge, and a lot of life happens on and in it. If you have recently moved here, you may want to learn to row, swim outdoors, or just understand who is in charge of the water. This guide covers adult learn-to-row courses at town clubs, swimming in the river and at Jesus Green Lido, what we know about water quality, and the rules on the river.
Every fact comes from the organisers’ or an official body’s own page, checked on 20 October 2026. Where we could not confirm something, we say so. Please read the safety section before you get in the water.
At a glance
| Activity | Where | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Learn to row (adults) | City of Cambridge Rowing Club; Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club | Courses for beginners; swimming ability required at one club; see each club |
| River swimming | Sheep’s Green and Coe Fen; Grantchester Meadows | Sheep’s Green is a designated bathing water rated ‘poor’; bathing is not advised |
| Outdoor pool | Jesus Green Lido | Run for the council by GLL; weekday 6.30am to 7pm, weekends 7am to 7pm |
| River rules | River Cam Conservancy | Statutory navigation authority; every vessel must be registered |
Learn to row as an adult
Most of the rowing you see on the Cam is university and college crews, and their boat clubs are for their members. Adults who live in Cambridge but have no university link have two town clubs that publish beginners’ courses. We checked both clubs’ own pages.
City of Cambridge Rowing Club. The learn to row page describes an adult course that starts with a taster session and continues over four to six weeks, with two sessions a week at weekends (times vary), plus tank sessions in the Downing College tank and coached ergs. The course follows the British Rowing Level 1 standard and is sweep rowing only. Eligibility includes being over 18, being able to swim 50 metres in light clothing and treading water for two minutes; participants take temporary membership for the duration. Coaches, coxes and equipment are provided. The club says the course runs "occasionally", so check when the next one is.
Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club. The club, known as the Nines, says on its site that it was established in 1899. Its learn to row and cox page lists an Adult Learn to Row course of at least three 1.5-hour sessions in groups of two, held on weekends through the year, at £130 according to the club’s page. It also lists an Adult Sculling Course and Learn to Cox sessions from spring to autumn. See the club website and join page for what comes next.
Other town clubs may offer courses; we only list those whose own pages we could read.
Swimming in the river
Wild swimming in the Cam has a long tradition, particularly along the meadows south-west of the city centre. Two places come up most often.
Sheep’s Green and Coe Fen. Cambridge City Council’s page on the Sheep’s Green and Coe Fen local nature reserve says a 270 metre stretch at Sheep’s Green was designated as a bathing water in May 2024 and rated ‘poor’ after the 2024 season. The page carries a notice that bathing is not advised. It also says fires and barbecues are not allowed, that the reserve is a flood plain, and that there is a café and toilets at Lammas Land.
Grantchester Meadows. River swimming here has a long history, but King’s College put up no-swimming signs in 2021; our parks and green spaces guide has the background. Check the current position locally before swimming. The Cam Valley Forum, a campaign group rather than an official body, says that national rules ruled out designating Grantchester Meadows as a bathing water.
Water quality and bathing-water status
A "designated bathing water" is a site that has been formally identified for water-quality testing. The Environment Agency’s Sheep’s Green consultation page says the bathing season runs from 15 May to 30 September and that samples are tested for E. coli and intestinal enterococci. It also warns that designation does not necessarily mean the site meets water quality standards or is safe to swim in.
The Cam Valley Forum, which campaigns on the river’s health, says on its water page that the 2025 season was still classified ‘poor’ despite most readings falling in the ‘good’ range. Its timetable page says Anglian Water and the Environment Agency are carrying out an investigation to April 2027, with improvements to follow by 30 April 2028. Those are the forum’s statements; read the designation page for its explanation of how the status was reached and what it means.
The season has ended for this year, so no new official samples are being taken until mid-May 2027.
Staying safe
The Cam Valley Forum’s advice for swimmers includes the following, and it matches the cautious line on the council and Environment Agency pages:
- Never drink the water.
- Shower after getting out.
- Avoid swimming for some days after heavy rain.
- Treat the council’s notice that bathing is not advised as a reason to think hard before getting in.
Other points are common sense for open water: do not swim alone, be aware that the river is also used by boats, and remember that cold water is a hazard even on a warm day. None of this replaces local advice; check the notices at the site.
Jesus Green Lido
If you want to swim outdoors without worrying about river quality, Jesus Green Lido off Chesterton Road is the alternative. The council describes it as one of the few remaining examples of the lidos built in the 1920s and 30s, and the largest pool in Cambridge. GLL manages the pool for the council. The pool is about 90 metres long, ranging from 1.2 to 2.5 metres in depth. Opening hours on the council page are 6.30am to 7pm on weekdays and 7am to 7pm at weekends. There are changing rooms with lockers and a hoist to enter the pool.
You can book in advance on the GLL website or app, or just turn up for a session. Seasonal timetables and prices are on GLL’s pages, so we have not copied them here. There is no dedicated car park; the page suggests cycle racks, buses on Chesterton Road and Bridge Street, and metered spaces on Chesterton Road.
River rules and the Conservators
The River Cam Conservancy, also called the Conservators of the River Cam, is the statutory navigation authority for the river from the Mill Pond to Bottisham Lock. Its legislative framework page cites the River Cam Navigation Act 1851 and the River Cam Conservancy Act 1922, with byelaws made under them. Its FAQ says every vessel on the river between Bottisham Lock and the Mill Pond must be registered, and notes lock-island closures at Baits Bite and Jesus Lock.
If you plan to bring your own boat, canoe or paddleboard, read those pages first and ask the Conservancy what applies. We could not find a page from the Conservancy that settles swimming rules, so we make no claim about them; follow the signs at each site. For punting, see our A–Z entry on punting.
Frequently asked questions
Where can adults learn to row in Cambridge without a university link?
City of Cambridge Rowing Club and Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club both publish adult learn-to-row information. City of Cambridge says its course runs occasionally and requires you to swim 50 metres in light clothing; Cambridge ’99 lists a course at the price on its own page.
Is it safe to swim in the Cam at Sheep’s Green?
The council’s page on Sheep’s Green and Coe Fen carries a notice that bathing is not advised, and the Environment Agency says designation does not mean a site is safe to swim in. The stretch was rated ‘poor’ after the 2024 season.
Is Sheep’s Green an official bathing water?
Yes. A 270 metre stretch was designated in May 2024, according to the council. The bathing season runs from 15 May to 30 September.
Can I swim at Grantchester Meadows?
River swimming there has a long history, but King’s College put up no-swimming signs in 2021. Check the current position locally.
When is Jesus Green Lido open?
The council page gives weekday hours of 6.30am to 7pm and weekend hours of 7am to 7pm. Check GLL’s timetable for sessions and prices.
Who regulates the River Cam?
The River Cam Conservancy is the statutory navigation authority from the Mill Pond to Bottisham Lock.
Sources
- City of Cambridge Rowing Club: learn to row – checked 20 October 2026
- Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club: learn to row and cox – checked 20 October 2026
- Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club – checked 20 October 2026
- Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club: join – checked 20 October 2026
- Environment Agency: Sheep’s Green bathing waters – checked 20 October 2026
- Cambridge City Council: Sheep’s Green and Coe Fen – checked 20 October 2026
- Cambridge City Council: Jesus Green Lido – checked 20 October 2026
- Cam Valley Forum: water – checked 20 October 2026
- Cam Valley Forum: advice for swimmers – checked 20 October 2026
- Cam Valley Forum: bathing water timetable – checked 20 October 2026
- Cam Valley Forum: bathing water designation – checked 20 October 2026
- River Cam Conservancy: legislative framework – checked 20 October 2026
- River Cam Conservancy: FAQ – checked 20 October 2026
This is an independent member's guide compiled by Cambridge Society. We are not affiliated with the clubs, organisers and venues mentioned; dates, sessions and arrangements change, so always confirm details on the official websites before making plans.
← Back to Articles