Hatchmere
Safety warning
- Swimming access withdrawn
- Access for swimming was withdrawn following a significant decline in wildlife around the lake. Check signage at the reserve for the current position. — Cheshire Wildlife Trust
- Toxic blue-green algae reported
- Blue-green algae has been reported here, with signage advising against entering the water and keeping dogs out. It is toxic to people and animals if swallowed. — Cheshire Wildlife Trust signage
Do not swim
Swimming at Hatchmere is reported as closed: Cheshire Wildlife Trust withdrew swimming access after a significant decline in wildlife around the lake, and toxic blue-green algae has been reported here. Check current signage at the reserve before any visit — this is a managed nature reserve, not a monitored bathing water, and its access rules can change.
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About this spot
Hatchmere is a small lake and nature reserve on the edge of Delamere Forest in Cheshire. It is unusual in having had a recognised swimming arrangement with the wildlife trust, which is why it is still widely listed as a wild swimming spot.
Storm overflows nearby
None of the storm overflows within 5 km with an up-to-date reading are discharging. Heavy rain makes combined sewers overflow into rivers and the sea by design, so this changes with the weather.
- Not dischargingabout 2.6 km awayDischarges into Kingsley BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 2.8 km awayDischarges into Tributary of Crowton BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 2.8 km awayDischarges into Tributary of Crowton BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 3.5 km awayDischarges into Fir BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 4.2 km awayDischarges into Cuddington BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 4.6 km awayDischarges into TRIB TROUT BECKLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 4.6 km awayDischarges into Cuddington (Cliffe) BrookeLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
- Not dischargingabout 4.6 km awayDischarges into Cuddington BrookLast discharge ended Reported by United Utilities
These are the water company’s own reports of when an overflow is operating, not a measurement of the water at this spot. A discharge into a river some distance away may never reach here; a quiet list does not mean the water is clean. The swim status above comes from the bathing-water monitoring body and does not use this data.
Common questions
- Can you swim at Hatchmere right now?
- Hatchmere is currently marked "Do not swim". Swimming at Hatchmere is reported as closed: Cheshire Wildlife Trust withdrew swimming access after a significant decline in wildlife around the lake, and toxic blue-green algae has been reported here. Check current signage at the reserve before any visit — this is a managed nature reserve, not a monitored bathing water, and its access rules can change. Conditions change quickly — always assess the water yourself before entering.
Get told when this changes
We’ll email you when the swim status at Hatchmere moves — a pollution alert opening, or one lifting. Not a newsletter: only this spot, only when it changes, at most once every 12 hours.
Your address is used for these alerts and nothing else, is never shared, and is deleted the moment you unsubscribe — a link is in every email.
Nearby swimming spots
See all swimming spots near Frodsham — about 6 km away.