Bathers at Lower Bemerton Recreation Ground in 2026 and in the 1930s. Picture: Bemerton Community Ltd

Plans for official bathing area at Salisbury green space – consultation under way

Jamie JonesSeptember 7, 20260 Comment0

A public consultation is now under way over plans to create an official bathing area at a Salisbury green space.

Bemerton Community Ltd will be applying this October for Bathing Water Designation for the River Nadder at Lower Bemerton Recreation ground.

Achieving this designation means there will be regular Environment Agency water quality testing throughout the bathing season, which runs from May 15 to September 30 each year.

In addition there will be public access to water quality information, and greater pressure on organisations responsible for pollution to investigate and improve water quality where needed.

The application will follow the designation of Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury as a new bathing site, announced earlier this year.

In May, the Government revealed 13 new sites across the country, including the one in Salisbury which they said would help “restore pride in local areas.”

Bathers at Lower Bemerton Recreation Ground around the 1930s. Picture: Bemerton Community Ltd

“Protection for the River Nadder”

Trustee of Bemerton Community Ltd, Margaret Willmot, said: “Bathing Water Designation was achieved earlier this year for Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury, which has already helped identify and address pollution issues more quickly.

“The aim is to secure the same protection for the River Nadder.”

A consultation, currently underway until October 2, is seeking people’s views on this designation. The consultation can accessed via the Love of Water website.

Ms Willmot added: “Bemerton Recreation Ground has been used as a bathing spot for generations and has been particularly popular during the heat waves this summer.

“We hope people will take a few minutes to compete the consultation questionnaire to let us know how they use the river and whether they support this application.”

Environment Agency monitor designated bathing water sites

The Environment Agency regularly monitors water quality at designated bathing water sites and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels – working with local communities, farmers, and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.

Bathers at Lower Bemerton Recreation Ground in 2026. Picture: Bemerton Community Ltd

Environmental officers attend these sites every week throughout the summer, taking and assessing water samples, and publishing that information online for the benefit of swimmers.

Speaking in May, Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “The growing number of designations across the country reflects the importance communities place in their local environment and water quality.

“If you’re planning on going open water swimming this summer, I’d advise everyone to get informed – checking water quality and conditions before you go.

“Across the bathing water season, Environment Agency teams will be out conducting over 7000 tests across over 460 locations. Through strong regulation and the right data, we will continue to drive improvements to bathing water quality, working closely with local partners to direct investment and target action in the right places.”

Last year, 93% of England’s bathing waters met acceptable standards for swimming, with 87% rated as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.