The Newshound

Man, 57, swims English Channel to complete 28-year, 36,000-mile walk around the world

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.

Karl Bushby, the Hull-born former paratrooper who swam the English Channel over three days after being refused access to the Channel Tunnel, completing his 28-year, 36,000-mile global circumnavigation.
Karl Bushby, the Hull-born former paratrooper who swam the English Channel over three days after being refused access to the Channel Tunnel, completing his 28-year, 36,000-mile global circumnavigation.
Karl Bushby back on British soil. The Hull-born adventurer passed through 29 countries during his 36,000-mile circumnavigation, with acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog among those greeting him on completion.
Karl Bushby back on British soil. The Hull-born adventurer passed through 29 countries during his 36,000-mile circumnavigation, with acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog among those greeting him on completion.

Karl Bushby stepped onto Shakespeare Beach near Dover on Monday after swimming the Channel over 20 hours across three days, completing the final leg of a 36,000-mile circumnavigation that began in Chile in November 1998. The Hull-born former paratrooper and son of an SAS soldier has now passed through 29 countries on foot — and is due to travel home to Hull, East Yorkshire, where the journey will officially end.

Bushby was refused Channel Tunnel access this summer on safety grounds, forcing him to navigate one of the world's busiest shipping lanes instead.

Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who is directing a feature-length documentary about the expedition titled 'Walk of Life', was among those who greeted Bushby on the beach alongside family and friends.

'All of us can accomplish more than we will ever imagine,' Bushby said on landing, describing the feat as proof he was 'more capable than I give myself credit for'.

MoreBBC News - EnglandHow Karl Bushby battled English Channel doubts to reach UK soilThe TimesAdventurer sets foot on British soil after 28-year walk homeThe SunThe Goliath 28-year trek where Karl Bushby dodged cartels and swam 179m milesThe IndependentMapped: British man’s incredible 28-year quest to walk around the world as he arrives back in UKGB NewsBritish explorer returns to UK after 28 years and 36,000 miles by swimming across English Channel
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