New guide for London outdoor swimming and the 4 places Sadiq Khan wants to clean up

People enjoy open water swimming at the West Reservoir Centre in north London
-Credit: (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)


A new London Outdoor Swimming guide has been designed to show people both where it is already safe to swim outdoors in the capital, as well as where it could be possible in the future. It comes as Sadiq Khan aims to clean up the River Thames and other waterways London.

It says that, at the moment, Hampstead Ponds, Highgate Pond, West Reservoir, Royal Docks, Serpentine, Canary Wharf, Beckenham Place and Greenland Dock are all safe places in which to have a dip. It adds that the Mayor of London wants to make sure Hackney Marshes, Teddington, Roding and Albany Reach are placed where people can swim safely in the future.

A note states: "These areas are currently too polluted and unsupervised to be safe. However, the Mayor is committed to exploring whether these locations could be made swimmable in the future. The tidal Thames is not safe to swim in."

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A map of London showing where it is safe to swim
City Hall's safe swimming map -Credit:GLA

'I can have an influence'

It comes after Mr Khan told MyLondon that he would like to see people able to paddle and kayak in the River Thames, but admitted that he does not have the power to clean the city's waterways himself. When asked if he would be taking a dip in the Thames once it is made cleaner, the Mayor said: "I'll come back to you on that."

He also said: "There are many things that I've not got direct powers over, or resources, but I can have an influence." Mr Khan added that he aims to 'bring together' campaigners, Ofwat, Thames Water and the Government in order to make a positive difference.

Specifically, he mentioned that he grew up next to the River Wandle, in which he used to 'have fun' as a child. Now, though, it is 'not safe' to swim in.

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