Three wild swimming spots in Coniston given bathing water status

Three wild swimming areas in Coniston have been designated as bathing water sites by the government ahead of the summer.

Coniston Brown Howe, Coniston Boating Centre and Monk Coniston have all been officially recognised as bathing waters by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

The bathing sites will immediately benefit from regular water quality monitoring by the Environment Agency during the bathing water season, which runs between 15 May and 30 September. Results of water quality and potential sources of pollution will be displayed onsite.

Councillor Suzanne Pender, local member for Coniston and Hawkshead with Westmorland and Furness Council, led the submission to the Environment Agency and said: “I am delighted with the news these three areas of Coniston are now officially recognised bathing waters as it’s really important for protecting the long-term future of the lake and also the wider community of Coniston for future generations.”

Councillor Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “This is very welcome news as Coniston continues to be a very popular wild swimming spot for local residents and visitors, especially in the warmer months, and bathing waters provide so many health and wellbeing benefits for a wide range of people.

“Having enhanced monitoring by the Environment Agency will give people more confidence the water is clean and safe, and more importantly, action can be taken to reduce pollution if standards are not met.

“I would like to thank Councillor Pender, the parish council and all the local volunteers involved in this application. I am highly delighted.”

Proposals for the three Coniston sites to be designated as bathing waters were submitted by Coniston Parish Council. During the consultation period, all respondents supported the application and it was proven an average of at least 100 bathers a day use each of the Coniston sites during the bathing season.

Other designated bathing water sites in the Westmorland and Furness council area include Biggar Bank, Walney; Sandy Gap, Walney; West Shore, Walney; Fell Foot, Windermere; Lakeside YMCA, Windermere; Millerground Landing, Windermere and Rayrigg Meadow, Windermere.