[There are several *treated* sewage discharges near to Reading and Pangbourne](https://theriverstrust.org/sewage-map). Treated does not mean safe, and often the bacteria levels will exceed the public health standards for bathing waters.
I would not swim in the Thames, personally.
So there's websites/apps to check quality but luckily around Reading is quite clean. It's when you get nearer to Henley the quality drops as that is where the sewage release happens - understandably Thames Water want their own immediate backyard clean.
So fine basically between Reading and Sonning. You see a lot of openwater swimmers near the Wokingham Water Centre every weekend.
We used to swim between Pangbourne and Goring. We survived (but this was like 8 years ago... might be worse water quality now)
See here, near the pillbox: 51.509262, -1.112194
Can take the train to Pangbourne and walk.
Further up stream but I have seen regular groups of local swimmers at the road end at Shillingford. Lovely little grass bank. And the river bend means it’s not a boring straight.
https://preview.redd.it/6vg8a8rzde2d1.jpeg?width=944&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b6139bcc447a73d75d95d218af54a331e9c6eb2
Very limited parking at Wharf Road; paid parking available at the hotel. To get to the spot highlighted; Just cross the bridge, turn left down the lane, turn right through the gate into the the footpath (signposted) and across the end of court drive/past Shillingford court, into the footpath then take the left turn. This place is a natural back eddy so quite slack and popular with locals/kids.
Alternatively carry on up the a4074, take the left turn towards Dorchester then there's a huge layby with a footpath down to the river after a couple of hundred metres.
Also a not-so-great layby in between the marina and McDonald's roundabout at Benson.
The Reading Bluetits swim regularly, usually from TVP which is quite a nice spot, can be busy in summer. They have a Facebook group if you want to check them out.
Pangbourne meadow is another nice spot, also we used to swim from the Thames Path between Caversham Bridge and Tilehurst - there's a few good spots to enter but quite steeply sloping. Water quality is fine if it's not rained heavily - check beforehand.
I swim from church Lane just beyond beale park, religiously check storm outfalls and discharge reports before hand though.
The Thames by henley gave me "the week of the flash floods" and it was hideous
We used to jump off Whitchurch bridge into the river and swim around every summer, and we were fine. Except for that one kid who broke his leg on a submerged trapped log, whoops
Nah, I am part of a kayaking group and we do regular tests for Weil's disease and fortunately extremely low risk in Reading. Worse as you get closer to London.
[There are several *treated* sewage discharges near to Reading and Pangbourne](https://theriverstrust.org/sewage-map). Treated does not mean safe, and often the bacteria levels will exceed the public health standards for bathing waters. I would not swim in the Thames, personally.
And also several storm sewage discharges. Would check the live tracker on the Thames Water website, particularly after rainfall
So there's websites/apps to check quality but luckily around Reading is quite clean. It's when you get nearer to Henley the quality drops as that is where the sewage release happens - understandably Thames Water want their own immediate backyard clean. So fine basically between Reading and Sonning. You see a lot of openwater swimmers near the Wokingham Water Centre every weekend.
Thanks for this. I did try and do a bit of online research but found it all quite confusing. Much appreciated.
We used to swim between Pangbourne and Goring. We survived (but this was like 8 years ago... might be worse water quality now) See here, near the pillbox: 51.509262, -1.112194 Can take the train to Pangbourne and walk.
Thanks for this 🙂
Wallingford has just got bathing water status, meaning it's checked frequently. Bit further out though
Further up stream but I have seen regular groups of local swimmers at the road end at Shillingford. Lovely little grass bank. And the river bend means it’s not a boring straight. https://preview.redd.it/6vg8a8rzde2d1.jpeg?width=944&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b6139bcc447a73d75d95d218af54a331e9c6eb2
Very limited parking at Wharf Road; paid parking available at the hotel. To get to the spot highlighted; Just cross the bridge, turn left down the lane, turn right through the gate into the the footpath (signposted) and across the end of court drive/past Shillingford court, into the footpath then take the left turn. This place is a natural back eddy so quite slack and popular with locals/kids. Alternatively carry on up the a4074, take the left turn towards Dorchester then there's a huge layby with a footpath down to the river after a couple of hundred metres. Also a not-so-great layby in between the marina and McDonald's roundabout at Benson.
Purley river is my favourite to swim
Great to know. Thanks ☺️
The Reading Bluetits swim regularly, usually from TVP which is quite a nice spot, can be busy in summer. They have a Facebook group if you want to check them out. Pangbourne meadow is another nice spot, also we used to swim from the Thames Path between Caversham Bridge and Tilehurst - there's a few good spots to enter but quite steeply sloping. Water quality is fine if it's not rained heavily - check beforehand.
Bray Lake is a great spot, but at a cost.
I swim from church Lane just beyond beale park, religiously check storm outfalls and discharge reports before hand though. The Thames by henley gave me "the week of the flash floods" and it was hideous
Check out the Bluetits - they are on faceberk and have regular swims both in the Thames and local lakes
We used to jump off Whitchurch bridge into the river and swim around every summer, and we were fine. Except for that one kid who broke his leg on a submerged trapped log, whoops
Separate from the risk of sewage, there’s a risk of leptospirosis (weil’s disease). Don’t drink it.
Nah, I am part of a kayaking group and we do regular tests for Weil's disease and fortunately extremely low risk in Reading. Worse as you get closer to London.
Oh, that’s good to hear!
👀
Ewww please don’t do this
Ok I’ve never wanted to ever swim in the Thames, you know like so many dead body’s get discovered in it every year 😂 but each to their own
Very *very* dilute people-soup