Energy & Climate
The Environmental Improvement Plan
New plan sets course for cleaner rivers and air, as well as more nature and wildlife in England.
1 December 2025
Communities across the country could soon benefit from 13 new designated bathing spots, ‘giving local people greater confidence to enjoy the rivers and beaches they cherish’, the government has announced.
The proposals include the first-ever designated bathing spot on the River Thames in London; this marks a transformation in water quality across the rive, which was declared ‘biologically dead’ in the 1950s.
New sites will see the nation’s total bathing spots increase to 464, helping more people benefit from safer local places to swim, spend time with family and connect with nature. It comes as the government focuses on delivering improved water quality for swimmers across the country.
After years of indifference towards bathing waters and very few sites designated throughout the 2010s, Defra says this government has taken swift action to expand the number of bathing sites across the country and support water quality, with four in five bathing sites being rated as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
However, Designated Bathing Waters are only tested for water quality throughout the bathing season (15 May – 30 September).
‘This is fantastic news not only for the many swimmers who enjoy these sites, but also for the wider community of river users and the wildlife that depend on a healthy river. Healthy rivers benefit everyone, and these designations mark important steps towards improving water quality and protecting precious stretches of the Thames.
‘If successful, Pangbourne Meadow would become the third bathing water site on the Thames secured through the efforts of Thames21, its volunteers and partners, following the designations of Port Meadow and Wallingford Beach.
‘The efforts of Thames21, its volunteers and partners made the proposal for Pangbourne Meadows possible. We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated citizen scientists for their hard work and commitment – we simply couldn’t have achieved it without them. We also extend our sincere thanks to all the individuals, councils and organisations who supported our application and helped turn this ambition into reality.’
CLAIRE ROBERTSON
Catchment Manager at environmental charity Thames21
Local communities are being invited to have their say on proposals to designate 13 new bathing water sites as part of a six-week public consultation. They include new rivers and coastal waters that are already popular with swimmers, reflecting growing public interest in outdoor swimming and connecting with local blue spaces.
Being designated can also bring wider benefits for local areas – from boosting tourism to strengthening community pride in much-loved rivers and beaches.
‘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.’
EMMA HARDY
Water Minister
Other proposed sites would represent the first designated bathing waters in counties including Berkshire – in the area which inspired The Wind in the Willows – and Cheshire, where bathing traditions date back to the Romans.
The consultation follows applications submitted in 2025 and forms part of the government’s wider commitment to empower communities to shape how their local environment is protected and enjoyed.
It comes alongside planned reforms to modernise the bathing water system, ensuring it is fit for today and reflects how people use rivers and beaches.
Following the consultation, the government will consider responses before confirming which sites will be designated ahead of the 2026 bathing water season.
Last year, 93% of England’s bathing waters met acceptable standards for swimming. The government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms came into force on 21 November 2025, designed to change the ‘one size fits all’ approach and more closely reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers.
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