Today (Friday 15 May) 13 new bathing sites open across the country, helping to restore pride in local areas, giving a boost to outdoor and swimming groups, and protecting cherished rivers and beaches.
The sites, including the first-ever on the River Thames in London, have now officially received designated status as the bathing water season begins.
The 13 new sites take the total to over 460 bathing waters, covering nearly every coastal county in England as well as several more inland swimming spots.
They will be rigorously and regularly tested by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season meaning swimmers are better informed about water quality, and can swim with greater confidence.
The designations follow a public consultation with each site receiving overwhelming public support, with 90% of responders in favour of designation and a record number endorsing the Ham & Kingston site.
The Government’s commitment to improving water quality and expanding monitoring is delivering clear results for swimmers and the environment, with four in five bathing sites being rated as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said
The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers.
Following years of indifference towards bathing waters, this government has expanded the number of sites as part of our overhaul of the water sector.
We’re committed to generational reform of our water industry and won’t stop until the job is done.
The Environment Agency regularly monitors water quality at designated bathing water sites and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels – working with local communities, farmers, and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.
What that means is environmental officers on site every week at each of these locations throughout the summer, taking and assessing water samples, and publishing that information online for the benefit of swimmers.
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said
The growing number of designations across the country reflects the importance communities place in their local environment and water quality.
If you’re planning on going open water swimming this summer, I’d advise everyone to get informed – checking water quality and conditions before you go.
Across the bathing water season, Environment Agency teams will be out conducting over 7000 tests across over 460 locations. Through strong regulation and the right data, we will continue to drive improvements to bathing water quality, working closely with local partners to direct investment and target action in the right places.
The filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch in Bridport, Dorset is another confirmed bathing water site. Government will also provide funding towards signage to ensure people have clear access to these new sites.
Sites also play a vital role in connecting people with nature – bringing important social and health benefits and helping towns prosper through increased tourism, delivering on the government’s wider commitment to empower communities to shape how their local environment is protected and enjoyed.
These new designations come alongside recent changes to the bathing water regulations that will modernise the system, helping to ensure it is fit for today and reflects how people use rivers and beaches.
Last year, 93% of England’s bathing waters met acceptable standards for swimming, with 87% rated as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. The government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms will allow us to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to better reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers.
This announcement is in line with the upcoming Clean Water Bill, announced this week in the King’s Speech, which will continue momentum on once‑in‑a‑generation reforms to end weak oversight, stop water companies marking their own homework and restore public trust.
Supportive quotes
Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban said
The announcement of the first-ever river swimming site on the River Thames in London is a moment of celebration for Londoners and highlights the role of community groups in helping to make London’s rivers and waterways cleaner and more accessible spaces.
There is still more work to be done, and the Mayor and I are committed to improving water quality in all the capital’s waterways. This is why we are launching the Clean and Healthy Waterways plan in the summer to ensure they are safe and welcoming spaces for all, as we continue to build a better, greener London for everyone.
Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment, Paddle UK said
The designation of these 13 new bathing sites, is another positive step forward in protecting our precious waters. For the millions of people who love being in, on, and beside the water, access to safe, regularly monitored blue space is vital. This expansion ensures that more communities can be better informed when choosing where and when to access the water. Furthermore, the overwhelming public demand for these new designated sites just proves how passionate the public is about being and being active in blue spaces.
Together, the increase in designated bathing water sites and the Clean Water Bill represent a historic opportunity to secure healthy, pollution-free waters for everyone to enjoy.
Marlene Lawrence, Leader and Founder of the Teddington Bluetits chill swimmers, said
We are absolutely delighted to have achieved Bathing Water status for the Thames at Ham and Kingston. The river is widely used by all ages to swim, row, paddle and sail, and it is wonderful to have such a natural resource to use to enhance our health and mental well-being.
With water testing throughout the bathing water season, I really want to encourage more people to enjoy leisure time in and on the Thames here.
Notes to editors
Designated Bathing Waters are regularly tested for water quality throughout the bathing season (15 May – 30 September).
The confirmed sites include
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Little Shore, Amble, Northumberland, a crescent of sand between the River Coquet and the North Sea popular with locals
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Newton and Noss Creeks, Devon, a narrow tidal inlet just off the River Yealm in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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Canvey Island Foreshore, Essex, a unique family favourite sandy beach.
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Sandgate Granville Parade Beach, Kent, shingle beach enjoyed by swimmers, and kayakers.
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Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury, Wiltshire, one of Salisbury’s most cherished parks opened in the early 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
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East Beach at West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch.
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Pangbourne Meadow, Berkshire, a meadow and river in the area that inspired The Wind in the Willows
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River Fowey in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a scenic tidal river, flowing through the heart of the town
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River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire, with dramatic waterfalls over limestone steps
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Falcon Meadow, Bungay, Suffolk, a riverside community space on the River Waveney
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River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London, London’s first river bathing site on the Thames
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New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside, a sandy seaside resort at the mouth of the Mersey Estuary
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River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester, Cheshire, a popular spot for families and water sports
The Bathing Water Regulations were updated in November 2025, introducing changes that prioritise public safety and water quality. We are now working towards implementing the reforms. The Bathing Water Reforms include
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removing the automatic de-designation of sites that have been classified as ‘poor’ for five years running. Now waters with the potential to recover aren’t abandoned prematurely.
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prior to designation, consideration will now be given to the feasibility of a site’s ability to achieve the “sufficient” standard, as well as any known significant risks to the physical safety of bathers arising from the site, and wider environmental impacts.
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opportunity for flexible, site‑specific bathing seasons, allowing monitoring to align with when people actually use the water.