Lake and lough swimming spots in the United Kingdom
Inland freshwater swimming in the United Kingdom — lakes and loughs with published bathing-water monitoring.
Freshwater bathing waters monitored under the same EU Bathing Water Directive as coastal beaches, though the reference values differ: inland waters are assessed against a higher E. coli threshold than coastal ones, because freshwater bacteria behave differently.
Water body type is identified from the spot's name, because neither agency publishes it. A lake whose name does not say so will be missing from this list.
5 spots, grouped by region. Each shows its current swim status — an award or a classification is not the same as today’s water.
Common questions
- How many lake and lough swimming spots are there in the United Kingdom?
- 5 — this page lists all of them, grouped by area, with each one's current swim status.
- What does this mean?
- Freshwater bathing waters monitored under the same EU Bathing Water Directive as coastal beaches, though the reference values differ: inland waters are assessed against a higher E. coli threshold than coastal ones, because freshwater bacteria behave differently.
- Can I swim at all of these right now?
- No. 1 of these 5 spots is currently flagged. A rating or an award describes a past assessment; the status on each spot page is today's. Neither is a safety clearance — bathing-water monitoring covers bacterial quality only, and says nothing about tides, currents, swell or cold-water shock.
- Which areas of the United Kingdom have the most?
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (1), Cardiff (1), City of Bristol (1). They are spread across 5 areas in total.