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There are few things that’ll stop Britain’s most determined wild swimmers from going for a dip. Rain? Embrace it. Water close to freezing? Just put a bobble hat and some gloves on. But one thing that will stop them in their tracks is filthy, pollution-ridden water.
In recent years, the government has been taking measures to clean up England’s waterways and create safe environments for people to swim in. Now, it has identified 13 sites that are in the running to become new designated bathing spots.
The selection is a mix of rivers and coastal waters, many of which are already popular among wild swimmers. But becoming a designated bathing spot will simply give swimmers extra reassurance that the water they’re paddling in is clean.
The designated areas will have to go through regular water testing during bathing season (May to September), which campaigners hope will increase pressure to clean up water across England. If they all get approved, the new sites will bring the country’s total number of designated bathing sites up to 464.
The proposed new sites include the first ever designated bathing spot in the River Thames in London which, 70 years ago, was declared ‘biologically dead’ but has undergone a huge transformation since then. Its designated bathing area would be at Ham and Kingston in the southwest of the city, which once upon a time was a popular Victorian swimming location.
Other places set to benefit include East Beach at West Bay in Dorset, which you might recognise from the ITV drama Broadchurch, and Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury in Wiltshire, which opened in the early 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. There’s also Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire, which is supposedly the inspiration for The Wind In The Willows.
When announcing the potential designated spots, Emma Hardy, the UK water minister said: ‘Rivers and beaches are at the heart of so many communities – where people come together, families make memories and swimmers of all ages feel the benefits of being outdoors safely.
‘Our plans to designate new bathing water sites show how we are backing local ambition and recognising the pride in places that matter most to people.
‘This comes alongside this government’s generational reform of the water system, that will cut water pollution and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.’
Local communities now have the chance to have their say on the proposed swimming sites in a public consultation, which is open until March 23.
The full list of proposed new designated wild bathing spots in England for summer 2026
- Little Shore, Amble, Northumberland
- Newton and Noss Creeks, Devon
- Canvey Island Foreshore, Essex
- Sandgate Granville Parade Beach, Kent
- Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury, Wiltshire
- East Beach at West Bay, Bridport, Dorset
- Pangbourne Meadow, Berkshire
- River Fowey in Lostwithiel, Cornwall
- River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire
- Falcon Meadow, Bungay, Suffolk
- River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London
- New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside
- River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester
ICYMI: Inside the campaign to make Glasgow’s city centre river swimmable.
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