If there’s one topic we all go wild for it is outdoor swimming. Every summer, every Londoner is looking for a quiet water spot to cool off in. The only issue is that no river in England is free from pollution and staying healthy, after what should be a paradisal dip, isn’t always guaranteed.
In a move that many will celebrate, dozens of new wild swimming spots in England have been designated as ‘bathing waters’ ahead of the summer. Robbie Moor, Water Minister, announced the news today (May 13) – with 27 new bathing water sites benefitting from regular water quality monitoring.
What is a bathing water site?
Including these latest additions, there are currently 451 bathing water sites across England. During the bathing water season (which runs between May 15 and September 30 this year), all sites will be monitored so people can safely check the water quality before taking the plunge.
The Environment Agency will also assess whether action is needed to cut pollution levels. They’ll work with local communities, farmers, and water companies to improve water quality in these locations. The government will also seek to reform the Bathing Water Regulations for England later this year to improve water quality and enhance monitoring.
“The importance of England’s bathing waters for residents and visitors alike cannot be understated,” said Environment Agency Chair, Alan Lovell. “Overall bathing water quality has improved massively over the last decade due to targeted and robust regulation from the Environment Agency, and the good work carried out by partners and local groups.”
Last year, 96% of bathing waters in England met the minimum standards, with 90% classified as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Up from 76% in 2010 and this is, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, “despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015.”
Where are the new bathing water sites near London?
There aren’t any new sites in the capital, unfortunately, with the closest at Wallingford Beach on the River Thames near Oxford. Other nearby additions include River Cam at Sheep’s Green in Cambridge and Goring Beach in Worthing. A bit further afield, you can visit Church Cliff Beach in Dorset or Littlehaven Beach near Newcastle.
If you’d like to visit a bathing water site in London, however, there are couple of already designated sites. There’s The Serpentine at Hyde Park (rated ‘sufficient’) and all three ponds at Hampstead Heath (‘excellent’). To see all sires near London and in the UK head here.
The new water bathing sites:
- River Nidd, Wetherby Road, Knaresborough
- River Cam, Sheep’s Green, Cambridge
- Coniston Boating Centre, Coniston Water, Lake District
- Coniston Brown Howe, Coniston Water, Lake District
- Monk Coniston, Coniston Water, Lake District
- River Frome, Farleigh Hungerford, Bath
- River Avon, Fordingbridge, New Forest
- River Tone French Weir Park, Taunton
- Rottingdean Beach, Rottingdean, East Sussex
- River Dart Estuary, The Ham, Dittisham
- River Dart Estuary, Steamer Quay, Totnes
- River Dart Estuary, Stoke Gabriel, Devon
- River Dart Estuary, Warfleet, Dartmouth
- River Ribble Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe
- Church Cliff Beach, Lyme Regis, Dorset
- River Teme, Ludlow, Shropshire
- River Severn, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury
- River Severn, Museum of the Gorge, Ironbridge
- Littlehaven Beach, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
- River Stour, Friars Meadow, Sudbury
- Wallingford Beach, Wallingford
- Manningtree Beach, Manningtree, Essex
- Derwent Water, Crow Park, Keswick
- River Wharfe, Wetherby, Leeds
- Coastguards Beach, River Erme, Devon
- Goring Beach, Worthing, West Sussex
- Worthing Beach House, Worthing, West Sussex