Free · 600+ UK spots · official water quality
Every Environment Agency bathing-water spot in England on one free map, each tagged with its official water-quality rating and sewage-risk data. No guesswork. No marketing. Just the water as it really is.
The map
Tap any marker for its latest official bathing-water classification, the water type, and whether heavy rain tends to hit water quality there.
No spots match — try clearing the filter or search.
Why it matters
Coastal water is mostly clean — but inland it's a different story. Of the river, lake and estuary spots on this map, a striking share are rated "Poor", meaning they regularly fail bathing-water standards on bacteria like E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
Storm overflows discharge sewage into these waters after heavy rain — which is exactly why each spot here flags whether its water quality is knocked by rainfall. Check the rating, and check the forecast, before you swim.
Data: Environment Agency Bathing Water Quality (2025 classifications), Open Government Licence v3.0. Ratings can change; always check official sources on the day.
Read: is it safe to swim? How to check water quality & sewage →
England's official bathing waters, by 2025 rating
The kit
Cold open water is a different animal to a pool. Start with what keeps you warm and seen — add the rest as you go. These are the categories worth buying well; links go to Amazon UK.
The single biggest comfort and safety upgrade — buoyancy plus warmth lets you stay in longer and swim further. A 3–5mm open-water/triathlon suit is the sweet spot for UK water.
See wetsuits on Amazon → Get warm fastThe afterdrop is real — a waterproof, fleece-lined robe gets you dry and warm the moment you're out, and doubles as a windproof changing tent on the bank.
See changing robes → Be seenHigh-vis buoyancy you can grab and rest on. Non-negotiable in open water.
See tow floats → See clearlyWider field of view and tinted lenses for sighting against glare.
See goggles → Stay in longerNeoprene extremities make cold-season swimming bearable — hands and feet go first.
See cold-water kit →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — it costs you nothing extra and helps keep the map free. We link hand-picked products and categories — prices and availability checked June 2026, but they change, so confirm on Amazon before buying.
Stay safe
Wild swimming is brilliant and it's risky. Cold-water shock and currents kill strong swimmers every year. Learn the basics before you get in.
Cold-water shock makes you gasp and can be fatal. Get in slowly, splash your face and neck, and let your breathing settle before you swim.
Lean back, spread your arms and legs, and float until the shock passes and you can call for help. RNLI — Float to Live.
Bright hat and a tow float, swim with others or where there's cover, and stay within your depth. Outdoor Swimming Society has the fuller guidance.
Heavy rain triggers sewage overflows. Use the map's rating, avoid swimming for 24–48h after heavy rain at affected spots, and rinse off after.
Guides
Your first dip, step by step — where to go, what to wear, getting in slowly and warming up after.
Read the guide → Water qualityHow to check UK water quality and sewage before you get in — and what the official ratings mean.
Read the guide → Where to goA region-by-region tour, Lakeland to Cornwall.
Read → The kitWetsuit vs robe, and the cold-water kit that matters.
Read → Stay safeCold shock, hypothermia and Float to Live.
Read →