Summary
Read about London's first free river bathing site on the Thames at Ham and Kingston. Learn about water testing and the push for cleaner UK waterways.
Title: London's First Official River Thames Bathing Site Opens in West London
Tags: River Thames, West London, Wild Swimming, Bathing Site, Water Quality, Environment Agency
London Welcomes Its First Official River Thames Swimming Spot
West London is now home to the first designated bathing water site on the River Thames. Swimmers and nature lovers can cool off for free at the scenic stretch between Ham and Kingston. The site officially opened on Friday 15 May 2026. This marks a major milestone for the capital and its waterways.
A Community Victory
Local campaigners fought for six years to secure this status under the bathing water directive. Marlene Lawrence founded the Teddington Bluetits wild swimming group. She submitted the application alongside her colleagues to protect the waters they use all year round. The group has grown to over 2,000 members.
By granting this stretch official status, the government has acknowledged overwhelming public support. Richmond Council also backed the initiative to recognise the recreational importance of the river.
Rigorous Water Quality Testing Of The First River Thames Swimming Spot
The Thames was famously declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to pollution. Today, rivers still face challenges from sewage discharge, forever chemicals and agricultural runoff.
The new official status forces a strict testing regime. Officers from the Environment Agency will visit the site every week until the bathing season ends on 30 September. They will monitor the water for faecal indicator organisms and publish the results online. Swimmers can check the data before they jump in. Campaigners hope this accountability will pressure water companies to reduce pollution.
Part of a Nationwide Push
The Ham and Kingston location is one of 13 newly designated bathing waters across England. This brings the national total to over 460 official sites. The goal is to improve local waterways and boost tourism while keeping swimmers safe.
Here is a list of the 13 new bathing spots:
- Canvey Island Foreshore, Essex
- East Beach at West Bay, Bridport, Dorset
- Falcon Meadow, Bungay, Suffolk
- Granville Parade Beach, Sandgate, Kent
- Little Shore, Amble, Northumberland
- New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside
- Newton and Noss Creeks, Devon
- Pangbourne Meadow, Berkshire
- Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Salisbury, Wiltshire
- River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester, Cheshire
- River Fowey, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
- River Swale, Richmond, Yorkshire
- River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London
How to Get To The River Thames Swimming Spot
The dipping spot sits opposite the length of Trowlock Island in Teddington. You can reach it easily on foot or by car. Access points are located near the Burnell Open Space in Ham and opposite the Kingston Hawker Centre. It is roughly a 24 minute walk from Hampton Wick station.
The designated open water swimming site is located on the River Thames at Ham and Kingston in Greater London.
While the site itself encompasses a stretch of the river, there are two primary access points for swimmers:
- Near Burnell Open Space: Accessible via Burnell Avenue in Ham (closest postcode: TW10 7YE).
- Opposite the Kingston Hawker Centre: Located on Lower Ham Road in Kingston (postcode: KT2 5BH).
The location is approximately a 24-minute walk from Hampton Wick train station and is situated opposite the length of Trowlock Island in Teddington.
Learn how the Environment Agency tests UK bathing waters.
Monitoring the Water
During the bathing water season, the Environment Agency will regularly monitor water quality at designated sites. The official bathing season runs until 30 September. Every week throughout the summer, officers from the Environment Agency will visit sites to take samples and monitor the water quality before publishing the information online for swimmers.
Taking the Samples
The sampling process follows a strict protocol. Officers wade into the water until it is one metre deep. They then take a sample of the water at a depth of 30 centimetres. They use sterile bottles and clean techniques to prevent outside contamination. The samples must be kept cold. They are stored in refrigerated vans and transported to a laboratory. Staff must ensure the water is analysed within 24 hours of collection.
Identifying Bacteria
Tests in bathing waters by the regulator, the Environment Agency, have to monitor the water for faecal indicator organisms. The scientists specifically look for two types of bacteria. These are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci. Both bacteria naturally live in the guts of humans and animals. Finding them in a water sample indicates that faecal matter has entered the watercourse. This contamination often comes from sewage overflows, agricultural livestock, wildlife or urban drainage.
Laboratory Analysis
Because the tests rely on live bacteria, results are not instant. Scientists place small amounts of the water onto agar plates in a temperature-controlled oven. They allow the bacteria to grow into visible colonies over a few days. They count these colonies to determine the concentration of bacteria per 100 millilitres of water. Officers from the Environment Agency will visit the site each week to monitor samples and publish them online for swimmers. The public can view this data on the government’s Swimfo website to check daily pollution risks.
The Rating System
At the end of the season, the Environment Agency gives each designated site an annual classification. They calculate this rating using up to four years of testing data. This helps smooth out temporary spikes in pollution caused by heavy rainfall. The four categories are Excellent, Good, Sufficient and Poor. The regulator said it constantly evaluates whether action is needed to cut pollution levels and works with local communities, farmers and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.