With summer just around the corner and the heatwave bringing in ideal swimming weather, the government has recently announced new bathing sites opening across the country. They have provided a list of 13 new sites, including the first-ever site on the River Thames in London.
The list was announced earlier this month, on 15 May 2026, and the initiative hopes to help “restore pride in local areas, giving a boost to outdoor and swimming groups, and protecting cherished rivers and beaches”. The new swimming spots range from Northumberland to Devon, with sites spread across the country. The government has also promised that they will be “rigorously and regularly tested by the Environment Agency.”
With 13 new swimming spots across the country, England now has a total of 460 bathing waters for Brits to choose from this summer, covering almost every coastal county in the country.
The government said: “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 swimming sites were selected after a public consultation in which 90% of voters supported each designated spot, with particularly great support for the Ham & Kingston site.
Four in five bathing sites are currently rated as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. Bathing season runs from 15 May to 30 September.
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.”
She added: “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 new 13 swimming sites are listed below: