Hackney’s Free Wild Swimming Spot: Sandy Beach Pools Planned

Key Points

• East London Water Works Park plans to redevelop a 14-acre former Thames Water depot on Lea Bridge Road in Hackney into a free wild swimming facility with a sandy beach.
• Illustrations depict 3,000 square metres of naturally filtered swimming space and beach area for nearly 100 people, potentially accommodating up to 1,200 swimmers per day.
• Swimming sessions would be entirely free, funded by generating surplus electricity on-site to sell back to the grid.
• Pools would use rainwater filtered through 5,300 square metres of reed beds for natural cleaning.
• One pool designed as family-oriented with a wider beach near buildings; the second set further back for a more authentic wild swimming experience closer to nature.
• Plans require approval from Hackney Council.
• Nathan Miller, director of East London Water Works, expressed personal motivation tied to providing local access for his children.

East London Water Works Park has unveiled ambitious plans to transform a disused 14-acre Thames Water depot on Lea Bridge Road in Hackney into a free wild swimming spot featuring a sandy beach, with illustrations showing potential for 3,000 square metres of naturally filtered pools capable of handling 1,200 swimmers daily. The project, aimed at creating accessible outdoor recreation, proposes funding through on-site renewable energy generation exceeding the site’s needs, which would be sold back to the national grid. As reported in the original coverage by MyLondon, the pools would rely on rainwater purified via 5,300 square metres of reed beds, with one family-friendly pool boasting a wider beach closer to surrounding buildings and another positioned further back for a wilder, nature-immersed experience.

Nathan Miller, director of East London Water Works, told MyLondon:

“My first thought was that I’d love something like this to exist for my kids growing up and to have that locally for them.”

Current plans emphasise totally free access for all sessions, setting this apart from typical paid facilities in the capital.

What Is the East London Water Works Park Project?

The East London Water Works Park project seeks to repurpose the old Thames Water depot, a 14-acre brownfield site on Lea Bridge Road, into a multifunctional public space centred around wild swimming. Illustrations provided by East London Water Works reveal a vision of two distinct pools: a 3,000 square-metre swimming area naturally filtered and a sandy beach accommodating nearly 100 people at once. According to details shared with MyLondon, the site could support up to 1,200 swimmers per day, promoting health, recreation, and community engagement in Hackney.

The initiative aligns with growing demand for outdoor wild swimming in urban areas, where access to clean, safe water remains limited. East London Water Works positions the park as a sustainable model, integrating water purification, energy production, and leisure without charge to users.

Where Exactly Is the Proposed Wild Swimming Spot Located?

The proposed site lies on Lea Bridge Road in Hackney, East London, specifically the former 14-acre Thames Water depot. This location benefits from proximity to residential areas and existing green spaces, enhancing local accessibility. Lea Bridge Road serves as a key thoroughfare, connecting Hackney to neighbouring Waltham Forest and Leyton, areas already familiar with waterway-based activities along the River Lea.

Hackney Council holds approval authority, with planners assessing environmental impact, traffic, and community benefits. The site’s industrial past necessitates remediation, but its riverside adjacency supports natural water features.

How Will the Swimming Pools Be Naturally Filtered and Funded?

Rainwater harvested on-site would fill the pools, undergoing natural filtration through 5,300 square metres of reed beds designed to cleanse impurities biologically. This reed bed system mimics wetland ecosystems, using plants to absorb pollutants without chemicals, ensuring swimmer safety.

Funding hinges on energy self-sufficiency: solar or other renewables would generate more electricity than required, with surplus exported to the grid for revenue. Nathan Miller of East London Water Works confirmed to MyLondon that this model enables “swimming sessions at the park totally free.” No public subsidies appear in plans, emphasising commercial viability through green energy sales.

What Features Will the Two Pools Offer?

Plans detail two pools tailored to different users. The family-oriented pool features a wider sandy beach positioned nearer surrounding buildings, ideal for supervised play and easier access. This design prioritises safety and convenience for parents and children.

The second pool, set further back and closer to nature, promises an “authentic wild swimming experience” with minimal intervention, appealing to adventurous swimmers seeking immersion in a naturalistic setting. Beach space overall could host nearly 100 people, fostering social gatherings alongside swimming.

Why Does Nathan Miller Support This Wild Swimming Initiative?

Nathan Miller, director of East London Water Works, champions the project for its community value. As reported by MyLondon, Mr Miller stated:

“My first thought was that I’d love something like this to exist for my kids growing up and to have that locally for them.”

His personal stake underscores broader aims to provide equitable access to nature in densely populated East London, where such facilities remain scarce.

Mr Miller envisions the park countering urban disconnection from water, promoting physical activity amid rising interest in cold-water therapy and outdoor pursuits.

When Could the Wild Swimming Spot Open If Approved?

No firm timeline emerges from available details, contingent on Hackney Council approval. Redevelopment of a 14-acre industrial site involves planning permissions, environmental assessments, construction, and testing of filtration systems. East London Water Works anticipates swift progression post-approval, but typical council processes span months to years.

Illustrations suggest a mature vision, implying advanced planning stages as of early 2026. Public consultations may precede decisions, allowing resident input.

What Capacity Can the Site Handle Daily?

East London Water Works estimates capacity for up to 1,200 swimmers per day across the 3,000 square-metre pools and beach. This figure accounts for session rotations, ensuring hygiene and safety via natural turnover and reed filtration. Beach space for nearly 100 people supports peak usage without overcrowding.

Such scale positions the park as a major attraction, potentially easing pressure on existing Lea River spots prone to pollution and overcrowding.

How Does This Fit Hackney Council’s Planning Priorities?

Hackney Council must greenlight the redevelopment, evaluating alignment with local plans for green infrastructure and health. The council prioritises brownfield regeneration, biodiversity, and active lifestyles, all addressed here. Free access broadens inclusivity, vital in a borough with diverse socioeconomic profiles.

Potential concerns include noise, traffic from 1,200 daily visitors, and ecological impacts on nearby Lea navigation. Council officers will scrutinise these during application review.

What Challenges Might Delay the Project?

Securing Hackney Council approval poses the primary hurdle, with scrutiny over sustainability claims, traffic management, and flood risks near the Lea. Reed bed efficacy requires validation, as does energy generation projections for free entry.

Community opposition, though unnoted yet, could arise over site transformation from industrial to recreational use. Construction on contaminated land demands remediation costs, potentially straining self-funding.

Why Is Wild Swimming Gaining Popularity in East London?

Urban dwellers increasingly seek wild swimming for mental health benefits, cold exposure therapy, and nature connection amid concrete sprawl. Hackney’s Lea River already hosts informal swims, but safety issues drive demand for dedicated sites. This project responds directly, offering filtered, free alternatives.

Similar initiatives elsewhere, like Hampstead Ponds, demonstrate viability, though charging fees limits access—unlike this proposal.

Who Is Behind the East London Water Works Initiative?

East London Water Works leads development, with Nathan Miller as a key director voicing commitment. The organisation focuses on water-centric urban regeneration, blending recreation, ecology, and energy. No further personnel details surface in reports, but Mr Miller’s statements anchor public narrative.

Could This Become a Model for Other London Boroughs?

Surplus energy funding free access innovates beyond taxpayer models, replicable where brownfield sites adjoin watercourses. Reed filtration reduces operational costs, appealing to cash-strapped councils. If successful, Waltham Forest or Tower Hamlets might pursue analogues, expanding East London’s wild swimming network.

Hackney’s approval could catalyse similar bids, addressing capital-wide shortages.

What Do Illustrations Reveal About the Final Look?

Visuals depict sandy beaches fringing clear pools amid greenery, reed beds prominent for education on natural processes. Family pool shows gentle gradients and nearby paths; wild pool integrates wilder landscaping. Overall aesthetic evokes coastal retreats within urban bounds, promising Instagram appeal alongside utility.

These renderings, shared via MyLondon, aid public envisioning during consultations.