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Places to swim and access rules
Research a swimming location, check local signs and verify access and swimming rules with the responsible authority.
There is no single UK-wide permission rule for swimming in every river, lake, reservoir or coastal site. Rights, byelaws, land ownership, navigation and site restrictions vary between places and across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Check before setting out
- Look for the land or water manager and read the site’s current signs.
- Check local council, national park, navigation authority or landowner information.
- Do not enter a reservoir or other managed site unless swimming is expressly allowed.
- Consider access to the water, exit options and hazards as well as legal access.
This is a guide to questions to ask, not legal advice. If permission or rules are unclear, contact the responsible authority and choose another location until you have reliable information.