British adventurer Karl Bushby has finally set foot on UK soil after completing a gruelling multi-day swim across the English Channel, bringing him closer to the end of an extraordinary 28-year journey from South America.

The 57-year-old began his epic expedition from Chile on November 1, 1998, with two strict rules: he would not use transport to advance his journey and would not return home until the entire challenge was completed.

On Monday, Bushby reached Shakespeare Beach, just south of Dover, after swimming from France to the United Kingdom.

He spent approximately 20 hours in the water over three days before finally making landfall at about 3:30pm BST.

Speaking after reaching British soil, Bushby said: “It feels good to have UK soil under my feet after all these years. It hasn't been easy, and that's part of the point; proving I'm more capable than I give myself credit for.”

His arrival was witnessed by a small group of supporters, including his father, Keith Bushby, a former SAS soldier, and acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who is directing a feature-length documentary about the expedition titled Walk of Life.

Bushby added: “All of us can accomplish more than we will ever imagine.”

The extraordinary journey, which began nearly three decades ago, has taken Bushby through Siberia and across Asia, including a 31-day swim across the Caspian Sea.

He entered Europe last year and reached the English Channel last month, but his expedition has been repeatedly disrupted by visa restrictions, the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.

With his arrival in Britain, Bushby is now in the final stages of his remarkable trek towards his childhood home in Hull, bringing a 28-year adventure closer to its conclusion.