It is not recommended to swim in the tidal section of the Thames (east of Putney Bridge to the North Sea). It is neither safe nor particularly nice. But as you head west the river gets cleaner, safer (less boat traffic) and more beautiful. All these 10 wild swimming locations are west of London and easily accessible.

Why shouldnt you swim in the Thames?

One of the main risks is cold-water shock, causing you to breathe in water, weakening your muscles, and causing immediate heart problems. Unseen currents and reeds beneath the surface could pull you under.

What diseases can you get from swimming in the Thames?

It's probably a mild dose of E Coli or Cryptosporidium enteritis but in those sewage-infested waters he could also catch dysentery, meningitis, or legionnaires' disease.

Do you get sharks in the Thames?

The Greater Thames Estuary is home to at least five different shark species, but very little is known about how exactly these sharks use the area.

Is there crocodiles in the River Thames?

If you go down to the River Thames today, you could be in for a big surprise. Why? Because apparently there's a crocodile in the water. Yes, really.

Dangers of the Thames

38 related questions found

How many bodies are in the Thames?

A drop of rain that joins the Thames at its source in the Cotswolds will go through the bodies of 8 people before it reaches the sea. In fact two thirds of London's drinking water actually comes from the Thames.

Is the River Thames clean enough to swim in?

IS IT SAFE TO SWIM IN THE THAMES? ... It is not recommended to swim in the tidal section of the Thames (east of Putney Bridge to the North Sea). It is neither safe nor particularly nice. But as you head west the river gets cleaner, safer (less boat traffic) and more beautiful.

How dirty is Thames?

The River Thames has some of the highest recorded levels of microplastics for any river in the world. Scientists have estimated that 94,000 microplastics per second flow down the river in places.

Can you get an STD from swimming in a river?

So the big question is: Can STDs and STIs survive in water? The answer, although complex, is yes. Even though you can't catch them from sharing water cups or jumping into a pool, getting into a hot tub and engaging in any type of sexual activity will make you very susceptible to catching something from your partner.

Can you get sick from swimming in the Thames?

Based on the amount I've swum, discussions with other swimmers and incidences of illness I've heard about, I'd estimate the risk of a gastrointestinal illness after a one-hour front crawl swim in good conditions in the Hampton Court to Teddington area to be less than one in 100.

Is it safe to swim in the Thames at Henley?

Henley-on-Thames

Henley itself may be better know for rowing, but remains a popular swimming destination – further east, you can get in the water near Hurley Lock and Marlow Lock. Indeed, the Henley to Marlow stretch forms the Thames Marathon, a 14km jaunt down river that challenges the strongest of swimmers.

Is VD a STD?

STDs used to be called venereal diseases or VD. They are among the most common contagious diseases. It's estimated that 25% of all Americans have an incurable STD.

Why do I feel sick after swimming in a lake?

Pools and lakes are full of germs that can make you sick. Some of the common issues you can get from swimming in a lake or pool are diarrhea, skin rashes, respiratory illness and swimmers ear. People typically contract one of these illnesses when they accidentally ingest contaminated water.

Does swimming make you have to poop?

Not only can swimming help calm the pain we might feel from bloating and cramping, but it can also help you maintain regular intestinal movement. Just as a short walk can help move our bowels, so too can a short, gentle swim.

Why is London so dirty?

One of the reasons why London may be perceived as dirty is its huge rat population. If you live or work in the city you are bound to have seen at least one rat scuttling down a street. Rodent control is a huge issue across the UK and especially in London where there is a particularly high population of rats.

What is the dirtiest river in the world?

1. Citarum River, Indonesia - The Citarum River is known as the most polluted river in the world and is located in West Java, Indonesia.

Can you drink river Thames Water?

Is it safe to drink tap water in London? The water in London is mainly supplied by Thames Water. ... London tap water is technically safe to drink because it meets all the European water quality standards.

What happens if you jump in the Thames?

Jumping into the Thames from a bridge is extremely dangerous. "The shock of cold water can make it very difficult to swim and strong currents can rapidly sweep people away."

Can you drown in the Thames?

Yet there are a number of pretty serious risks posed by swimming or even just dipping briefly in the Thames, the foremost of which is drowning. ... The body takes an involuntary breathe when you jump into cold water and that can result in two litres of water in your lungs which is instant drowning," he said.

How many people commit suicide in the River Thames?

The Thames can be deadly

On average, 50 people each year die in the River Thames, the majority of which are suicides.

How many bodies wash up in the Thames each year?

People are drawn to the river as a means to an end. I have found two souls that were claimed by its fast-running water and every year the river police recover around 35 bodies, 90 per cent of which are attributed to suicide.

Why does the Thames look so dirty?

Then why does it look so brown? Many Londoners may not believe the Thames is actually clean, given it looks a little grim. No matter how much work is done to clean the Thames, it will still look brown, as this is because it is a muddy river, owing to the silt on the riverbed.

Why do I get a stuffy nose after swimming?

Chlorine can also cause inflammation in the lining of the sinuses, known as sinusitis. And there is some evidence it can be worse for some swimmers in certain warm and moist environments. Irritation causes mucus to become thick and blocks your sinus, resulting in a stuffy nose.

Can you get worms from swimming in a lakes?

Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in public water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas. Ground and surface water can become infected with giardia from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge or animal feces.