Designated bathing water site at Ham and Kingston

Find background information and safety advice for the designated bathing water site at Ham and Kingston.

Background

On 15 May 2026, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) assigned the stretch of river flowing between the Half Mile Tree and the YMCA Hawker Centre on Lower Ham Road as a 'Designated Bathing Water Site'.

This is the first designated bathing water site on the Thames in London. The site joins 464 designated bathing waters across the country and recognises the growing number of people using the Thames for swimming, paddling, rowing and other water-based activity.

It follows overwhelming public backing during consultation, with the Ham and Kingston site receiving record levels of support. During the bathing water season which runs from 15 May to 30 September, the Environment Agency will regularly monitor water quality at the site and display information to help people better understand water conditions.

We are progressing feasibility work on the Ham side of the river to explore how riverside access and public spaces could be improved in response to increased use of the area.

Water quality

The site does not yet have a classification. The Environment Agency advises:

"The water quality at this bathing site is currently unknown. The site has been designated for the first time this year, and no monitoring data is yet available to calculate a classification. Water samples will be taken throughout the bathing season (15 May to 30 September), and a classification will be issued at the end of the season based on the results."

The Environment Agency and Thames Water will investigate and address sources of pollution.

Location and timings

The designated site is in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, between the Half Mile Tree and the YMCA Hawker Centre on Lower Ham Road.

• The bathing season runs from 15 May to 30 September each year
• Water quality is not monitored outside this period
• The Environment Agency will take up to 20 water samples during the season
• Results will be published on the Environment Agency's location profile

If pollution affects water quality, the relevant authorities will investigate. On-site signage will be updated, and an alert will be placed to this webpage to advise against bathing where necessary.

To find out more about water sampling at bathing waters, see the Environment Agency's website.

To report an environmental problem linked to the bathing site, please use the Environment Agency incident hotline (0800 80 70 60) or report water pollution on the government's website.

River ramp

The ramp into the river by the YMCA Hawker Centre is currently closed while it undergoes repair and improvement works.

Other access points within the bathing area remain open.

Safety and considerations

The River Thames is a busy, tidal river used by boats, rowers and other river users. Please take care at all times.

• Stay close to the riverbank 
• Do not swim into the middle of the river 
• The site is not supervised and there are no lifeguards on duty
• You enter the water at your own risk
• In an emergency, call 999

Please read the safety signage on-site, before entering the water. Residents should also visit the Rivers Trust website and read their River Safety Routine as well as the government’s Swim Healthy web page.

When using the site, please respect local wildlife, neighbours and other river users and remember to use bins where possible – or take litter home if bins are full.