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Pangbourne Meadow Aims to Become First Bathing Spot on the Thames
10 Oct
Summary
- Environmental charity Thames21 seeks bathing water status for Pangbourne Meadow
- Two years of water quality testing show results in the good-excellent range
- Designation would require Environment Agency to monitor and report on water quality
As of October 2025, environmental charity Thames21 is leading an effort to apply for bathing water status for Pangbourne Meadow, a beloved wild swimming location on the River Thames. For the past two years, Thames21 volunteers have been testing the water quality in and around Pangbourne, and the results have consistently fallen within the good-to-excellent range.
If the application is approved, Pangbourne Meadow would become the first designated bathing water in Berkshire. This designation would require the Environment Agency to regularly test the water between May and September and publicly report the results. Any poor water quality findings would then trigger investigations to identify and address the source of pollution.
The bid for bathing water status is being carried out in partnership with Pangbourne Parish Council, West Berkshire Council, and the Goring Gap Environmental Organization. Residents and river users have until October 15th to provide their feedback on the proposal. Earlier this year, a stretch of the River Thames at Port Meadow in Oxford was awarded bathing water status, setting a precedent for this type of designation.
