Labour has announced plans to designate 13 new open water bathing sites across England, expanding access to safer rivers and coastal areas.
Official designation means sites will be subject to regular water quality testing, giving communities greater confidence in using local waterways.
The proposals include the first ever designated site on the River Thames — a milestone given the river was declared “biologically dead” in the 1950s. Other locations include Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire, which inspired The Wind in the Willows, and East Beach at West Bay in Dorset, known as a filming location for Broadchurch.
If approved, the total number of official bathing sites in England will rise to 464.
The government says the move will help families enjoy safer local spaces while strengthening environmental standards.
